On career milestones, the people who shape us, and the opportunities that make what’s next worth getting excited about.
I’ve always been ambitious that’s hardly breaking news. I’m a Capricorn, after all.
But lately, I’ve been thinking about how ambition and leadership evolve together.
But there’s something interesting about reaching a new chapter in your career. You get a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come, usually right before you start thinking about everything you want to do next.
Recently, I was promoted to a leadership position at my job. It’s a milestone I’m incredibly proud of and one that has me thinking less about the title itself and more about the opportunity ahead.
Don’t get me wrong the recognition matters. When you’ve invested years into your career, worked hard, taken risks and delivered results, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the moment. In fact, I think we could all stand to get a little better at that.
It’s funny how quickly we move past our accomplishments. One milestone gets checked off and we’re already thinking about the next challenge. There’s something to be said for ambition, but there’s also something to be said for giving yourself a little credit along the way.
If I could tell early career Angela two things, it would be: Don’t underestimate what you’re capable of. And when you’ve earned something it’s perfectly fine to own it.
Sometimes You See It Before They Do
I’ve led teams before, and one thing I’ve learned is that high-performing ones aren’t built by expecting everyone to arrive with the same capabilities.
Someone who once worked for me was brand new to the tools and technology most marketers take for granted. What they didn’t have in technical experience, they more than made up for in potential, grit, and willingness to learn. With coaching, opportunity, and a whole lot of their own determination, they grew into an excellent marketer. We still keep in touch and have grown into good friends.
I still think about that experience because it reinforced something I’ve always believed: what someone knows today doesn’t necessarily tell you what they’re capable of tomorrow.
For me, ambition and leadership come together in recognizing where people shine, playing to those strengths, and helping them discover what else is possible. Sometimes that means a little (or big) nudge outside their comfort zone.
But none of it works without trust.
People need to know you believe and advocate for them and that they have room to learn without every misstep becoming a career defining moment.
I’ve been fortunate to have leaders who did the same for me. People who challenged me, opened doors and saw possibilities I hadn’t fully considered for myself. And those experiences have a way of coming full circle.
The Best Part Is That We’re Just Getting Started
What makes this particular chapter exciting is the team and the opportunity in front of us.
It’s a mix of familiar faces and some new perspectives with real opportunity to make an impact. To challenge how we think, bring fresh ideas forward, do meaningful work and build something we’re collectively proud of.
And yes, to deliver results. We’re marketers after all. We sure do love a good performance metric or two.
But I’ve always believed that the best results come when people feel invested in what they’re building and confident in what they bring to it. That’s the environment I want to help create.
Ambition Isn’t a Solo Act
The longer I’m in this business, the more I appreciate that success isn’t just about what you accomplish. It’s also about what you help make possible for others.
That doesn’t mean your own ambitions become less important. Or that you stop setting goals, taking chances and wanting more for yourself. I’m learning that ambition and leadership leave room for both: wanting more for yourself and helping others move forward.
To celebrate what you’ve earned and be excited about what you’ll build together. To recognize how far you’ve come without losing sight of where you want to go.
Because the good part isn’t just reaching the next milestone. It’s everything you get to do with the opportunity.
And as for ambition?
There’s still plenty of that.
Keep the conversation going with Bad Bosses, Good Leaders that explores the people who shape our careers.
Listen to the full conversation on Her POV.
About Angela Borseti
Angela Borseti is the cofounder and cohost of Her POV and a Senior Manager, Marketing at OpenText, where she leads global campaigns that connect strategy, storytelling, and business growth. Her experience navigating corporate life, building programs, and working with different leadership styles informs her writing on ambition, confidence, relationships, and how women define success on their own terms.