Careers are not ladders, they are stories
Over the years, the How did you get there? series has become a living library of career wisdom from some of the most respected leaders in insights, research, analytics and data. In this new series, we bring together the recurring lessons, advice and perspectives that emerged from those conversations, and explore what they mean for the rest of us.
One of the most striking themes to emerge from our How did you get there? series of interviews with senior client, agency and association leaders over the past five years, is how few successful leaders actually planned the careers they ended up having. Across conversations with people such as Bob Qureshi, Sam Grey, Katya Des-Etages, Barry Jennings, Sarah Kotva and Melissa Gonsalves, a remarkably consistent truth appears: careers rarely unfold in straight lines.
Many openly admit they did not set out to work in research, insights or analytics. Some arrived via psychology, journalism, media, advertising, politics or completely different industries. Others stumbled into the sector almost by accident. Yet when viewed from the outside, their careers can appear incredibly coherent. The reality is that careers make sense looking backwards.
When speaking to Katya Des-Etages, one of the strongest themes was the importance of creating your career rather than waiting for one to be handed to you. Sam Grey similarly reflects on remaining open to unexpected opportunities and experiences that stretch you beyond what feels comfortable.
What separates many of the leaders featured in this series is not an ability to predict the future. It is a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Again and again, interviewees describe moments that changed everything: a difficult project, an unexpected redundancy, a chance conversation, a move into a role they felt unqualified for or a leap into a new market.
Those moments rarely felt comfortable at the time.
Barry Jennings speaks powerfully about growth coming through challenge and perspective, while leaders across the archive repeatedly describe taking opportunities before feeling fully ready.
That lesson feels particularly relevant today. Many younger professionals feel enormous pressure to map out five-year plans and define exactly where they want to be. Yet the leaders who have already reached the top often tell a very different story. Their careers evolved through curiosity, learning and adaptability.
Bob Qureshi’s journey reflects the importance of relationships, openness and continuously building new experiences. Sarah Kotva talks about embracing opportunities to grow. Melissa Gonsalves highlights the value of remaining ambitious while continuing to learn. The common thread is movement. Not certainty.
The modern world changes too quickly for rigid career plans. Entire industries evolve. New technologies emerge. Roles that did not exist five years ago become critical. The people who thrive are often those most willing to learn, adapt and keep moving. Successful careers are rarely built by finding the perfect path. They are built by creating one.
From insight to action
Stop waiting for certainty. Most successful people moved before they felt fully ready.
Focus on learning, not titles. Skills compound faster than job descriptions.
Stay open to unexpected opportunities. Some of the most important career moments arrive unannounced.
Write your own story. Your career does not need to look like anybody else’s.