3 Unique Pieces Of Advice To Consider While Advancing In Your Career

Everyone loves to talk about themselves and give advice. Many people mean well when they say, “Here’s what you need to do if you want to advance in your career.” That sentiment is typically followed by the age-old advice to develop relationships, polish your resume, follow your passion and focus on the value you bring to the table.

That’s all good, but that advice alone no longer helps individuals level up. The workplace has evolved, and so must how we approach career growth. Success today requires more than just networking and passion.

Instead of relying on outdated career advice, it’s time to embrace fresh perspectives that make a difference. Here are some less-discussed strategies to help you stand out and create lasting success.

It’s About Reading Body Language

We often hear that great leaders and communicators are active listeners. While listening is important, paying attention to nonverbal cues is just as crucial.

Body language tells you what words don’t. A colleague saying they’re “fine” with a decision while crossing their arms and avoiding eye contact, probably isn’t fine. A client who nods enthusiastically but keeps glancing at their watch may be losing interest. Recognizing these cues allows you to adjust your approach in real-time.

Here are a few key nonverbal signals to watch for:

• Crossed arms or legs—Indicates defensiveness or resistance.
• Leaning in—Shows engagement and interest.
• Glancing away or fidgeting—Signals discomfort or disinterest.
• Mirroring movements—Suggest a strong connection and agreement.

Mareva Koulamallah, founder of Marevak Consulting, emphasizes the power of emotional intelligence and nonverbal communication in the workplace. “Working in communications, I had to understand an audience or the mood in a room instantly and before anyone else,” she explains. “I also needed to know how to avoid crisis or solve conflict; so, being able to tell how someone feels just by looking at them or analyzing cues from their gestures made all the difference.”

Koulamallah believes that training your mind to pick up on details others might overlook gives you a significant advantage, whether navigating workplace dynamics, negotiating a salary or handling a tense situation. While some view emotions as a weakness, she strongly disagrees. “There is a big difference between letting your emotions run you or owning them,” she says. “I embrace emotions and use them as a tool; because I am so in touch with mine, I get to understand others better.”

Develop An Entrepreneurial Mindset—No Matter the Job

You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to think like one. The most successful professionals adopt an entrepreneurial mindset regardless of their industry or role.

An entrepreneurial mindset means:

• Taking the initiative instead of waiting for instructions.
• Viewing problems as opportunities instead of obstacles.
• Being adaptable and open to learning new skills.
• Thinking about how to add value to your organization beyond your job description.

Employees who think like entrepreneurs don’t just do their jobs; they look for ways to improve processes, create new opportunities and bring fresh ideas.

Michelle Enjoli, founder of ME International, believes that achieving career success requires adopting an entrepreneurial mindset. “Like a CEO who steers their company to success, you must become the CEO of your career and take full ownership of your career growth and development,” she explains. A key aspect of this approach is consistently marketing your capabilities and persuasively selling your value to others.

She has applied this mindset to pivot careers and accomplish major professional goals. “I have applied this advice in my career by cultivating strong professional relationships, aligning my personal brand with my career goals and consistently upskilling to remain relevant,” she says. These strategies helped her transition into marketing and played a crucial role in launching her own business. However, she recognizes that many professionals struggle with implementation. “This difficulty typically stems from personality traits, communication barriers and the fear of rejection,” she observes. Professionals can take control of their careers by overcoming these challenges and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset.

Find A Cofounder That Complements You, Not Copies You

Partnerships are critical in both entrepreneurship and corporate leadership. Many people make the mistake of seeking out collaborators who think, act and work just like they do. While it may feel easier to work with someone who shares your strengths and viewpoints, this often leads to blind spots, missed opportunities and a lack of innovation.

Instead, look for someone who brings something different to the table. If you’re a visionary thinker with big ideas but struggle with execution, find someone who thrives on structure and operations. If you’re analytical and detail-oriented, partner with someone who excels at big-picture strategy and relationship-building. The best teams aren’t mirror images of each other; they are puzzle pieces that fit together to form a complete picture.

Lauren Zucker and Lacey Tisch, cofounders of Sage + Sound, credit their success to finding a partner who complements rather than mirrors them. Zucker shares, “The key to success isn’t just about having a shared vision, but about finding someone who balances you, bringing strengths where you have weaknesses (and vice versa).” Tisch agrees, emphasizing how this dynamic fuels innovation. “That yin-yang dynamic creates a strong foundation for growth and innovation. Passion is essential, but true success comes from partnering with someone whose skills and perspective challenge and expand your own. The best collaborations thrive on differences.”

This philosophy is deeply embedded in how they built their brand. “From the start, we knew we wanted Sage + Sound to reflect a wide range of wellness experiences, not just one perspective,” says Tisch. “That idea was rooted in our own personal relationship—Lauren had experience exploring different modalities of wellness, while I came in as more of a seeker, figuring things out along the way. Together, we balanced each other out—bringing in different strengths, asking different questions and ultimately building something that speaks to a wider audience.”

By embracing their differences, Zucker and Tisch have created a brand that is accessible and inclusive, proving that the best partnerships thrive on contrast rather than conformity.

Traditional career advice is valuable, but unconventional strategies make the biggest difference. These small but powerful shifts elevate your career in unexpected ways. Success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about thinking and acting differently.