How to Take Control of Your Career: Lessons from Tessa Grint
Ever felt stuck in your job, unsure of how to move forward? Maybe you’ve been working towards a promotion you’re not even sure you want, or you feel like you’re constantly overlooked despite all the effort you put in.
In this week’s Women Work Wellbeing podcast, I sat down with Tessa Grint, workplace expert, career consultant, and founder of Light Me Up. She shared her journey from 17 years in corporate to starting her own business and how she helps people redesign a working life that truly excites them.
This episode is full of practical strategies to help you break out of career autopilot, step into your power, and start creating the job you actually want.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
✅ Stop waiting for permission – Tessa realised that we often have more power than we think in shaping our careers. No one is coming to save you—you have to advocate for yourself.
✅ Be honest about what you want – She was chasing a promotion that her ego wanted, not her actual desires. Ask yourself: Am I working towards something I truly want, or just what I think I “should” want?
✅ Rewrite your job description – One of the most transformative exercises Tessa did (and now recommends to clients) is writing down what her ideal role would look like. Not what exists now—what would excite you?
✅ A growth mindset is everything – Instead of saying, “I can’t do this because my manager is useless,” try, “How can I work around this?” Shifting from obstacles to solutions changes everything.
✅ Visibility matters – Hard work alone won’t get you noticed. You need a strategy for making sure the right people see your contributions. (Yes, even if self-promotion feels cringe).
Practical Steps You Can Take Today
💡 Audit Your Current Role – Are you spending time on work that actually matters, or just being “busy”?
💡 Talk to Your Manager – If they’re not supporting you, manage up. Take them a solution, not just a problem.
💡 Make Your Wins Visible – Keep a record of your achievements and start sharing them strategically.
💡 Ask for More Money (Without Apologising) – You deserve fair pay. The worst they can say is no.
💡 Test the Waters – If you’re considering a career change, start small experiments—connect with people in industries you’re curious about, start a side project, or update your LinkedIn.
💬 “The answer is already no if you don’t ask.” – Tessa Grint
If you’re feeling unfulfilled at work, know this: You’re not stuck. You have more power than you think to shape your career into something that excites you.
Time Key:
- 0:01:45 – Tessa shares her 17-year corporate career journey and the pivotal moments that led her to start her own business.
- 0:05:30 – Tessa discusses the importance of having a manager who listens and helps you redesign your role to play to your strengths.
- 0:09:00 – Tessa provides advice for women who are unhappy in their jobs but feel stuck, including the power of using the word “how” to reframe problems.
- 0:13:45 – Tessa explains the holistic impact of job dissatisfaction on women’s physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
- 0:18:15 – Tessa outlines strategies for women to increase their visibility and advocate for themselves, including focusing on high-impact work.
- 0:24:00 – Tessa shares advice for women returning to the workforce after a career break, emphasizing the importance of starting small and building confidence.
- 0:28:30 – Tessa discusses her own success story of increasing her salary without a promotion, and encourages women to have open conversations with their managers.
🎧 How to Take Control of Your Career with Tessa Grint – Listen to the Full Episode Here
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