6 Career Lessons from Leading Experts: Disrupt Your Career’s Best of 2024

By Antoine Tirard and Claire Harbour

The end of the year is a perfect moment to reflect on professional growth and set goals for the future. At Disrupt Your Career, we’ve had the privilege of hosting insightful conversations with twelve exceptional guests throughout 2024: Julia Goodman, Valerie Sutton, Octavia Goredema, Riet Grond, Asad Husain, André Martin, Carmen Wee, Sarah Wittman, Mosongo Moukwa, Joerg Staff, Ben Legg, and Isabel Berwick.

In our “Career Advice Best of 2024” episode, we curated some of the most powerful lessons shared by these experts to guide professionals at any stage of their journey.?

Here, we distill their wisdom into six actionable career lessons:

1.???? Know your values

It’s crucial to understand what truly matters to you—your values, the culture that fits you, the skills you want to use. This foundation will guide you toward roles and decisions that feel authentic and rewarding.

Takeaway: Define the non-negotiables that align with your purpose. Seek roles and organizations that resonate with your values and priorities.?

2. Embrace the Journey

Careers aren’t about having everything figured out from day one. It’s a journey with twists, turns, and sometimes unexpected stops. Exploring and trying different things can open doors you never imagined.

Takeaway: View your career as an evolving story. Be open to pivots and learning opportunities that help you grow.

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3. Stay Curious and Open

In today’s unpredictable world, being flexible and open to new experiences is a huge advantage. Opportunities may arise in the least expected places, and staying curious will help you make the most of them.

Takeaway: Regularly challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Openness leads to unexpected opportunities.

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4. Manage Imperfection

Things won’t always go smoothly, especially when you’re just starting. It’s okay to stumble—everyone does. Learning to navigate these bumps builds resilience and keeps you moving forward.

Takeaway: Failures are inevitable, especially early on. Instead of fearing them, learn to see them as stepping stones to improvement.

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5. Build Relationships

Don’t underestimate the value of networking and mentorship. Networking isn’t just ??? a tactical tool for job hunting—it’s an ongoing practice that fosters long-term growth and meaningful connections, both personally and professionally.?

Takeaway: Surround yourself with people who inspire and guide you. Build meaningful relationships that enrich your perspective.

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6. Develop Entrepreneurial Skills

Whether it’s a side project or a small hustle, taking on something outside of your day job builds confidence and skills. Plus, it expands your network and teaches you to handle mistakes along the way.

Takeaway: Cultivate entrepreneurial thinking through side projects or innovations at work. These experiences build confidence and broaden your skillset.

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Final Thoughts

These lessons from 2024 remind us that building a fulfilling career is as much about internal growth as it is about external milestones. As George Bernard Shaw once said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself.”

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these career lessons! Which takeaway resonated most with you, or do you have additional insights to share? Comment below or share this post with others who might find it valuable!

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Explore More

For a deeper dive into these insights, tune into our “Career Advice Best of 2024” episode or listen to the full episodes from our twelve inspiring guests.

Listen to the full episode here.

? Apple Podcast : https://lnkd.in/dVrAHPg

? Buzzsprout : https://lnkd.in/eWBxEru

? Spotify : https://lnkd.in/ePiZbNF

If you find it valuable, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit from these takeaways.

Here’s to a year of growth and new opportunities!

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