How One Bold Move Built My Leadership Identity
Have you ever felt like you outgrew a role, even when everything on paper said you were winning?
I was a category manager at a major consumer goods company, overseeing powerhouse brands like Rubbermaid, Sharpie, and Paper Mate for a leading retailer. I had the stretch projects, the visibility, the influence. But underneath the momentum was a quiet restlessness I couldn’t ignore.
It wasn’t about dissatisfaction, it was about scale.
I wasn’t just managing a product portfolio; I was managing a region. And while it looked expansive on a map, the scope started to feel like a box. One that I had already filled. One that no longer stretched me.
“So I did what most people wouldn’t: I stepped sideways. Sometimes the biggest career leap isn’t up; it’s out. Out of comfort. Out of predictability. And into the kind of growth that rewrites your story.”
The Lateral Move That Changed Everything
Leaving my role wasn’t a promotion. It wasn’t a title upgrade. It was a pivot into a new industry, in a new city, with all new players. I moved to New York, took a lateral position, and restarted in a completely different orbit.
It was the most strategic “non-promotion” of my career.
In New York, I found velocity. I was surrounded by thinkers who moved fast, pushed boundaries, and expected more. I had to learn to communicate across functions, align cross-functional teams, and translate business value in a way that landed with finance, operations, and sales often in the same room.
I wasn’t just leading from my lane anymore. I was building a reputation for cross-functional leadership. And that’s when it clicked:
That meeting wasn’t just about change, it marked the beginning of my personal brand taking shape, the kind that builds visibility and earns opportunity long before you’re in the room.
Why This Was a Marketing Strategy in Motion
On the surface, this story may sound like a personal development arc. But beneath it lies core marketing strategy:
Segmentation: I shifted environments to access new audiences and stakeholders who could challenge and grow me.
Positioning: I intentionally crafted my leadership narrative, not just what I did, but how I made an impact across functions.
Differentiation: I stepped away from a familiar trajectory and chose growth over title. That made me memorable.
What I was really doing, before I even realized it, was treating my career as a brand. And like any strong brand, I needed the right audience, the right message, and the right visibility to scale.
What Happened Next? A Global Tap on the Shoulder
Years later, that repositioning paid off.
I was offered a global expat role in Asia, something I had dreamed about since college. It was an assignment that involved navigating culture, complexity, and strategy on a global scale.
And it didn’t come out of nowhere.
It came because I had already repositioned myself for growth. I had built the muscle of translating complexity. I had learned how to lead without needing to be the loudest voice in the room. And perhaps most importantly, I had a leadership brand that preceded me.
That global role led to one of the proudest moments of my career: helping launch the first Barbie ever designed by a local designer for an international market. It was a moment of cultural impact. It was a personal and professional legacy.
Lessons You Can Use
If you're sitting in a high-performing role that no longer stretches you, here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Don’t confuse movement with momentum. Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you’re building.
2. A lateral move can be a growth strategy. Sometimes, the fastest path up is a pivot sideways, if it gives you new inputs, new energy, and new influence.
3. Your leadership brand is always speaking, even when you’re not. Position yourself with intention. The opportunities that matter will find you when your brand works for you.
Ready to Build a Leadership Brand That Moves?
Your brand is more than a resume. It’s how people understand your impact, even before you walk in the room. At Éclat, we help you craft a leadership brand that’s not just visible but undeniable.
Elevate Your Influence with Éclat’s Strategic Personal Branding Guidance
We specialize in refining and projecting leadership brands with clarity, intention, and impact. Our personalized workshops and coaching help you align your digital presence with your leadership goals so your brand not only shows up but stands out.
Ready to reposition for growth? Let’s build the brand that opens your next door.
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