Beneath every well-intentioned piece of career guidance lies an often-overlooked truth: all advice, no matter how universally appealing it may seem, is ultimately rooted in subjectivity. Each professional journey unfolds within a unique constellation of circumstances, shaped by timing, industry dynamics, personal relationships, and of course, an individual’s drive, ambition, and innate capabilities. Over the years, through numerous in-depth conversations with executives at corporations ranging from globally recognized technology powerhouses like Amazon to scrappy, fast-growing startups navigating their earliest stages of growth, one theme has emerged clearly — success is rarely the result of any single factor or formula. Instead, it’s the intricate interplay between opportunity, preparation, and judgment that propels people forward.
Still, while no two professional trajectories are identical, and there is never a singular, guaranteed path to achievement, it remains invaluable to learn from those who have already reached the upper echelons of their fields. By examining the lessons they absorbed — and, more importantly, the wisdom they chose to apply — we gain insight into the mindsets and behaviors that sustain meaningful careers. In that spirit, eight accomplished executives recently reflected on the most significant pieces of advice that influenced their professional lives, offering perspectives that illuminate what truly matters in long-term growth and leadership.
**Colleen Aubrey, SVP of Applied AI Solutions at Amazon Web Services (AWS)**
Colleen Aubrey, who has devoted more than two decades to Amazon, has collaborated closely with trailblazers like Jeff Bezos and other senior leaders throughout the company’s transformative years. She attributes one of the most impactful insights she ever received to Eric Broussard — the very person who recruited her — who now holds the role of Vice President of Worldwide Global Selling and International Seller Services at Amazon. During her first year and a half at the tech giant, Broussard shared a piece of advice that would define her approach to work: build a professional reputation rooted in delivering exceptional outcomes under any circumstance. If she succeeded in consistently fulfilling that standard, he explained, her name would inevitably surface whenever new and significant opportunities arose. Aubrey internalized this counsel wholeheartedly, applying it rigorously, and she later reflected on how this commitment to dependable excellence unlocked numerous doors across her career at Amazon. She regards it as one of the guiding principles that charted her advancement through one of the world’s most competitive corporate environments.
**Dr. Darshan Shah, Founder and CEO of Next Health**
Before establishing Next Health, a premier longevity and wellness company, Dr. Darshan Shah began his professional path as a practicing surgeon. Roughly a decade ago, he made the courageous decision to pivot into a completely different field — the rapidly expanding domain of longevity medicine. As someone familiar with reinvention, Shah points to a surprisingly pragmatic piece of advice that shaped his financial and professional decision-making: resist the impulse to celebrate early success through extravagant spending. He recalls being cautioned that upon earning one’s first substantial income — whether one hundred thousand dollars or the elusive first million — the wiser course is to delay indulgence. According to Shah, genuine financial confidence and sustainability arise only after one’s earning system, or what he calls a “machine,” operates reliably and continues to grow. Only then — and ideally, even later — should discretionary spending occur. He noted that many professionals make the mistake of rewarding themselves prematurely, purchasing flashy cars, luxury homes, or lavish vacations after just a brief period of prosperity. When inevitable downturns happen, such choices can transform excitement into vulnerability. For Shah, disciplined patience is not merely fiscal advice but a cornerstone of building enduring stability.
**Joanne Wright, IBM Senior Vice President of Transformation & Operations**
Joanne Wright of IBM distills the heart of impactful career guidance into a deceptively simple question: “Are you making a difference?” She believes that whenever one takes on a new role, the first phase should be devoted to deep comprehension — understanding the expectations of the position, the collective rhythm of the team, and the tangible results the organization hopes to achieve. However, within every new assignment lies immense potential, particularly when the challenge appears daunting. Rather than shying away from complex or demanding opportunities, Wright advocates for proactive engagement. To her, the moments that seem the most difficult often harbor the most meaningful growth. Her counsel — to dive boldly into big problems and large-scale opportunities — encapsulates a leadership mindset anchored in courage, curiosity, and meaningful contribution.
**Deepak Agarwal, Chief AI Officer at LinkedIn**
For Deepak Agarwal, who began his career as a statistician before rising to become the Chief AI Officer at LinkedIn, the best career wisdom centers on the relationship between passion and excellence. A pivotal turning point came early in his career when, after attending an intellectually stimulating lecture at the University of Connecticut, he decided to work under the very professor who inspired him, Alan E. Gelfand. That single decision — guided more by curiosity than calculation — set the tone for the rest of his professional journey. Ever since, Agarwal has made it a rule to let authentic enthusiasm steer his choices. His philosophy can be summarized by one principle: follow what genuinely excites you, because it is far more rewarding, and ultimately more sustainable, to excel in a field you love than to remain merely competent in one that doesn’t ignite your passion. His career serves as a testament to how heartfelt interest, when paired with rigor, can lead to both personal fulfillment and world-class achievement.
**Niki Leondakis, CEO of CorePower Yoga**
Niki Leondakis, who has held multiple leadership positions including serving as CEO of Equinox before heading CorePower Yoga, candidly shared that early in her career she tried to emulate the men around her in order to earn respect and be perceived as “equal.” The turning point came when she faced a managerial decision that tested both her judgment and her authenticity. Asked to terminate an employee for an error she deemed minor, Leondakis initially hesitated to advocate for leniency, fearing that her team might interpret compassion as weakness or indecisiveness. It was then that a trusted colleague and direct report offered transformative advice: rely on your instincts, remain authentic, and allow empathy to inform your actions. Encouraged by these words, she chose a balanced resolution — recommending a one-week unpaid suspension instead of termination — an outcome she viewed as both fair and humane. Looking back, Leondakis recognizes that leaning into her natural empathy and authenticity rather than trying to emulate others not only improved her leadership but also became a source of strength. She eventually realized that her difference — her distinctly human, empathetic approach — was not a liability but a defining asset in leadership.
**Taso Du Val, CEO of Toptal**
For Toptal CEO Taso Du Val, the most valuable career insight emphasizes endurance and perspective: remain with a role long enough to experience the inevitable highs and lows. In his view, too many professionals pivot prematurely, chasing novelty or external validation before giving their endeavors the opportunity to mature. This long-term commitment, he argues, allows one to see possibilities that might never reveal themselves during short engagements. Reflecting on his own journey, Du Val admits he never could have predicted seismic shifts such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence, yet remaining steadfast at Toptal allowed him to navigate those upheavals and emerge with newfound opportunities. His message transcends industries — success is often best embraced when it arrives, not desperately pursued before its time. Stability, patience, and consistent presence create openings that sheer ambition alone cannot.
**Jennifer Manry, Principal and Divisional CIO of Corporate Systems at Vanguard**
Jennifer Manry credits the most profound professional lesson of her life to her mother, someone whose simple yet powerful words helped steer a winding career path. Her mother’s advice was direct: if you feel genuine passion for something and are willing to dedicate the effort required to master it, pursue it without hesitation — and never let others define your limits. Manry took this philosophy to heart, weaving it into a career that defied linear progression. Moving between industries — from manufacturing to utilities to financial services — she consistently carried forward aspects of each role that brought her joy, ensuring continuity of purpose even amid change. Manry emphasizes her love for intellectual challenge and the excitement of confronting what she does not yet understand. For her, the act of “leaning into the unknown” has become both a professional strategy and a personal mantra, reaffirming that growth flourishes at the intersection of curiosity and courage.
**Kristin Valente, EY Americas Chief Client Officer**
Having recently celebrated thirty-six years at the global professional services firm EY, Kristin Valente distilled decades of leadership experience into one enduring maxim: leadership is not defined by a checklist of actions but by presence, integrity, and the energy one brings to every interaction. To her, how a leader “shows up” — the consistency of their demeanor, their inclusivity, and their ability to create a space where a diversity of voices feels valued — outweighs any singular accomplishment. True leadership, she asserts, lies in wielding influence that uplifts others, channeling collective strength toward shared success. Valente believes this intentional approach not only fosters collaboration but also generates a ripple effect of positive momentum across an organization. For her, sustainable leadership begins with self-awareness, empathy, and a deliberate effort to empower others to thrive.
Together, the wisdom shared by these eight executives paints a multifaceted picture of what it means to build a successful and fulfilling career. Though the industries differ — from technology and wellness to finance and consulting — each narrative emphasizes values such as authenticity, endurance, curiosity, and the courage to remain true to oneself. Success, it seems, is less a fixed destination and more a continual process of aligning one’s strengths, passions, and decisions with integrity and purpose.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/executives-share-best-career-advice-ever-received-2025-11
