Critical Careers - Women Building Careers in Digital Infrastructure - Book - Page 81
“What’s been really powerful
is seeing how it’s taken on
a life of its own. People
are sharing opportunities,
making introductions, and
meeting at events with no
outside direction.”
How have you decided to stretch yourself
with a bigger role or higher-stakes
responsibility?
For me, stretching into bigger roles has never been a simple yes or no
decision. It’s always been a balance between ambition and responsibility.
I’m the primary breadwinner and I have four boys, so stability really
matters. Every time an opportunity comes up, I take a step back and look
at it properly. What does this mean for my family? Is this sustainable?
What does the growth actually look like, not just on paper but in reality?
Those are always the 昀椀rst questions in my mind.
At the same time, I’m a continuous learner. I’ve always been drawn to
roles that push me into something new, even if I don’t fully have it all
昀椀gured out yet. Earlier in my career, I became very technical in areas
people wouldn’t necessarily expect, and I think that gave me con昀椀dence
that I can stretch into unfamiliar territory and make it work.
I’ve also learned to be more deliberate. There have been opportunities
that were really interesting, but when I looked at the timing or the level
of risk, they just didn’t quite align with where I was in my life. And that’s
been an important shift for me, recognising that stretching yourself
doesn’t mean saying yes to everything.
Now, a big part of how I make those decisions is leaning on my network.
I’ll ask around, understand the reputation of the company, what the
leadership is like, and whether people I trust have worked with them.
That external perspective helps me sense-check whether something is
genuinely a step forward or just different for the sake of it.
I also think my approach has evolved over time. Earlier in my career, I
was much more driven by gut feel. If something felt right, I’d go for it.
That led me to some great opportunities, but in the last few years, I’ve
started to pair that instinct with a bit more structure. I’m thinking more
intentionally about where I want to go next and what kind of role will
actually get me there.
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