You’re smart. You’re capable. You’re respected for delivering results.
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But you’ve gotten so good at what you already do, you’re no longer stretching into what you could do.

Perhaps you're staying on projects you’ve already mastered, letting others lead high-visibility work, or holding back on that bold idea because “it’s not the right time.” Playing it safe keeps you in the shadows when it matters most.

Those who accelerate fastest aren’t the ones with the perfect plan. They’re the ones willing to step into the unfamiliar, speak up before they’re fully ready, and say yes to challenges they’ve never tackled before.

Here's how.

3 ways to get out of your comfort zone with confidence

1. Embrace the new

The fastest way to expand your career opportunities is to deliberately choose what feels slightly uncomfortable, but enough to make you pause and think "I’ve never done this before."

This isn’t about randomly saying yes to everything. That will spread you really thin, really fast. It's about being strategic to stretch your skills, visibility, and confidence.

Here's some of my go-to examples:

• Volunteer for stretch assignments that put you in front of senior leaders or cross-functional teams.

• Change your routines at work (i.e. present in meetings you’d normally just attend, run a client call solo, or lead a cross-department initiative).

• Expand your exposure by networking with people in other business units, regions, or even industries to broaden your thinking and opportunities.

• Request to shadow or co-lead on projects to contribute fresh perspectives.

Leadership meeting example:​
​ "I know this project is a key priority and I’d like to take the lead on this. I may need to ramp up quickly in [X area], but I’m confident I can deliver strong results with the right support."

1:1 with your manager example:​
​ "I’ve excelled quickly in [my current area of expertise] and I’m ready for a new challenge to support the business even further. What opportunities do you see where I could take on more responsibility as it relates to [X goal/priority]?"

Networking event example:​
​ "I’ve been wanting to broaden my perspective beyond my current role in project management. I’d love to learn how your team approaches [X topic]. What’s been most effective for you?"

The key is to see every new moment as a micro-experiment, one where you collect feedback, adjust, and grow. Over time, you build a reputation as someone who can adapt, lead, and thrive in any environment.

This is the exact strategy we leaned into with one of our clients last week who was invited to speak on an international stage for her company. She was only given a few short days to prepare so we doubled-down on confidence building, public speaking strategies and role-play practice. She ended up performing so well that she has already been invited to present at their next international meeting in Argentina!

2. Lean into innovation

Innovation isn’t just about inventing something new.

In my work at Microsoft where I coach high-performing teams, I show them this can be about looking at existing challenges with a fresh lens and having the courage to suggest a different path.

This often means challenging how things have always been done in a way that is constructive, data-backed, and focused on better outcomes.

Here's some quick innovation examples to inspire from:

• Run small-scale pilots to test ideas before requesting larger investments.

• Invite cross-functional input early to gain perspectives you might miss.

• Challenge assumptions by asking "What if we approached this from a different angle?"

• Pair data with creativity and back your ideas with numbers to gain credibility and buy-in.

• Model "learning in public" by sharing experiments and what you’ve learned, even when imperfect.

Team meeting example:​
​ "I’d like to propose we test a smaller version of this idea over the next 2 weeks. It’s low risk, but it will give us valuable data before we fully commit to the next phase of the project."

Meeting with your manager example:​
​ "I’ve identified an opportunity to improve [X process]. I’d like to run a pilot with [specific scope] to see if we can achieve [measurable outcome]. Would you be opposed to me drafting a proposal and action plan on this?"

Challenging assumptions example:​
​ "I know we’ve approached it this way in the past, but what if we flipped the process and started with [X step] instead? Based on the data I shared, it would likely provide a faster route to the same goal."

Moral of my story: Instead of waiting for permission to innovate, start creating space for it yourself.

[Check out my free LinkedIn Learning nano-course on Nano Tips to Fast-Track Your Career]

3. Believe you’re worthy of the next level

You can be the most capable person in the room, but if you don’t truly believe you deserve to be there, you’ll hesitate, downplay your value, and let opportunities pass you by.

Worthiness isn’t just a feeling. It’s a muscle you build through self-recognition, intentional visibility, and surrounding yourself with advocates. When you believe in your worth, you stop waiting for someone else to tap you for the next level. You start positioning yourself for it.

This exact shift helped our client secure her dream job offer last week and negotiate for an additional $15K raise on top of an amazing 6-figure comp package that was a major step up from her current position.

Here's a few key tips to help you believe in your worthiness:

• Keep a visible "wins" list like key metrics, praise emails, and project outcomes you can reference in reviews, interviews, or high-stakes conversations.

• Reframe your inner voice and swap "I’m not ready" for "I'm going to try it anyways."

• Seek advocates and sponsors who will mention your name in rooms you’re not in.

• Use high-impact language to tie your contributions to business results.

• Ask for opportunities instead of waiting for them to be offered to you.

Performance review example:​
"Over the last 6 months, I’ve delivered on [X, Y and Z] supporting the exact objectives we aligned on together, and have brought [specific business impacts]. I’d love to discuss how I can now step into a broader leadership role to support [A, B, C] areas of the division."

Sponsorship ask example:​
"I really admire the way you lead your teams as it relates to [X]. It's inspiring and something I'd love to emulate as well with my own team. As I’m aiming for my next-level role in the company, would you be opposed to sharing some of my key achievements with decision-makers who may not see my work directly?"

Self-advocacy with your peers example:​
"I just wrapped the [X project], which improved our customer retention in the last 6 months by 20%. If you hear of other initiatives that could benefit from that approach, let me know. I'd love to further contribute to this."

Others rarely see your full capability unless you show it, confidently and consistently.
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When you speak and act from a place of worthiness, people start seeing you not just as you are, but as the leader you’re becoming.

You've got this!