Making the leap from technical expert to the C-suite requires visibility, credibility, and adaptability. Leaders who accelerate their careers consistently do four things: they speak up about their career aspirations, ensure they are in the room where decisions are made, build trust through being responsible, and leverage technology to drive strategy.

Too often, relationship-building is considered a “soft skill.” In reality, it is one of the most powerful drivers of influence, leadership effectiveness, and ultimately business impact. Executives who cultivate meaningful connections earn trust, gain alignment, and inspire collaboration across their organizations. In today’s landscape, these are not optional skills. They are essential strategies for leaders who want to be effective and advance with confidence.

Culture eats strategy for every meal. When leaders join a new organization, the instinct is often to dive straight into a 90-day plan. Learn the organization. Build a strategy. Execute. But here’s the truth: strategy will not stick without people behind it