You’ve likely been told to be patient, prove yourself, or trust the process. So you do.

You work hard. You deliver. You keep things running smoothly. Without realizing it, you start playing it safe.
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You take on projects you’ve already mastered. You wait to be noticed instead of speaking up. You hold back on the ideas that could actually set you apart because you worry it's not perfect yet.

Playing it safe might protect you from mistakes, but it also protects you from growth.​
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It keeps you dependable, not recognized the way you deserve. Plus, it quietly convinces decision-makers that you’re great where you are, not ready for what’s next. This is the trap I see so many women in corporate fall into.

And that’s exactly what’s costing you your next promotion.

Most women don’t stall because they lack capability. They stall because they’ve unknowingly become too good at being comfortable. You become the steady hand, the go-to if you will, but not the one your leadership team pictures leading the next big initiative.

Every time you say "I’ll wait until I’m fully ready" or "I don’t want to overstep", you’re reinforcing the perception that you’re not ready for more. Decision-makers start to assume you’re content where you are.

This is exactly what happened to my client who had been passed over for 5 promotions before working together. She was driving results, a great team player, getting positive feedback and yet, wasn't stretching herself enough especially towards senior leaders.

Within a few short weeks of role-playing together, creating dedicated scripts for 1:1 conversations with senior leaders, and identifying her biggest growth gaps, we converted her divisional President into her biggest advocate. This not only opened up 2 internal promotion opportunities for her within 3 weeks of that conversation, it also led her to secure her dream senior leadership promotion.

Because the women who rise fastest? They aren’t the ones who do everything "right."
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They’re the ones who are willing to step into the unfamiliar, speak up before they feel ready, and make moves that stretch them beyond their comfort zone. Here's how.

3 ways to stop playing it safe so you level up faster

1. Lean into the "new" as opportunity, not fear

The fastest way to grow 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 I used with one of my clients who pushed past her comfort zone for networking and building her visibility. We doubled-down on communication scripting, relationship-building and did role-play practice daily. Within just a few short days, she received a job referral, multiple recommendations and an incredible new mentoring opportunity.

2. Trade execution for 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."

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. Prepare for the role you want, not the one you’re in

Being great at your current role is the baseline, not the differentiator. The next level of your career isn’t earned just through more output. It’s earned when decision-makers can already see you operating there.

Look, you can be the most capable person in the room, but if you keep showing up as the role you have, not the one you want, people will keep associating you with your current level.

Preparation isn’t just about skill, it’s about perception. Every project, meeting, and conversation is a chance to signal readiness to show that you’re already thinking, communicating, and leading like the next level.

This exact shift helped my client secure her new job offer and negotiated 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 how to start positioning yourself today:

• 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."

The more you show up like the next level now, the easier it is for leadership to picture you there next.

Because promotions don’t happen when you’re ready. They happen when you’re recognized as ready.

You've got this!