Career Strategies – Licia Dewing Career Strategist

2026 Labor Market Trends: Why Career Strategy Matters More Than Ever in Africa

Licia Dewing — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:50:57 +0000

The future of work is shifting faster than most professionals can keep up with—and nowhere is this more evident than in Africa. According to LinkedIn’s 2026 Labor Market Trends Report, the forces shaping hiring, skills, and mobility are undergoing a major transformation. But amid these shifts lies a powerful truth: career strategy is no longer optional. It is the differentiator that determines who thrives, who gets left behind, and who accesses opportunities beyond geography.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2026-labor-market-trends-what-linkedin-data-means-africa-licia-dewing-rrtjf

In this blog, I unpack the trends shaping Africa’s workforce and reveal why intentional career strategy work is the key to navigating them with confidence.

1. AI Isn’t Slowing Hiring—Economics Are. And That Changes Career Planning.

Contrary to what headlines suggest, AI is not the reason hiring has cooled. The real drivers?
Economic uncertainty and tighter monetary policy.

Global hiring rates sit 20–35% below pre‑pandemic levels, meaning companies are more selective and risk‑averse.

For professionals, this means:

Competing harder for fewer roles
Needing clearer value propositions
Strategically positioning skills that align to business realities

This is why career strategy work matters: a vague CV no longer survives an economic downturn. A clear narrative does.

2. AI Is Creating More Opportunities Than It Replaces—If You're Strategically Positioned

LinkedIn data uncovered 1.3 million+ new AI-enabled jobs emerging in the past two years. These include roles that didn’t exist five years ago—AI engineers, forward‑deployed engineers, data annotators, and more.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2026-labor-market-trends-what-linkedin-data-means-africa-licia-dewing-rrtjf

The opportunities are real. But so is the challenge:

These roles require hybrid strengths—technical curiosity, human skills, adaptability, and communication.

This is exactly where career strategy comes in:

Understanding which strengths transfer
Identifying new-collar pathways
Building a roadmap that aligns your natural abilities with emerging roles

You don’t need to become an engineer. But you do need a plan.

3. “New-Collar Roles” Are Reshaping Work—Your Career Strategy Should Reflect That

The new-collar era blends technical fluency with uniquely human capabilities. Employers are prioritizing:

Problem-solving
Adaptability
Communication
Learning agility

These hybrid roles now form the backbone of the digital economy. [linkedin.com]

A strong career strategy helps professionals:

Identify where they fit in this new world
Build bridges between past experience and future relevance
Communicate strengths in ways hiring managers understand

Without this, talent gets overlooked—not because they lack ability, but because they lack clarity.

4. Job Transitions Are at a 10-Year Low—Meaning Visibility and Strategy Matter More

Even though more people are job seeking, fewer are actually making transitions than at any point in the past decade.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2026-labor-market-trends-what-linkedin-data-means-africa-licia-dewing-rrtjf

Why?

Because employers are cautious—and candidates blend into the noise.

A well-crafted career strategy helps you rise above that noise by refining:

How you position your value
How you signal credibility
Where and when you show up professionally

This isn’t just personal branding—it's career competitiveness.

5. AI Literacy Is Surging—And Strategy Helps You Keep Pace Without Overwhelm

AI‑related skill requirements have grown ~70% year over year, even outside the tech sector. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2026-labor-market-trends-what-linkedin-data-means-africa-licia-dewing-rrtjf

But here’s the empowering truth:

Most professionals don’t need deep technical skills.
They need AI literacy, adaptability, and a clear plan for integrating these into their work.

Your career strategy should answer:

What baseline AI skills do I need?
How do these complement my strengths?
What’s the minimum effective dose to stay relevant?

This stops overwhelm and turns learning into a strategic investment—not a panic response.

So What Does All This Mean for African Professionals?

Africa stands at a strategic inflection point. The rules of work are changing globally, but Africans who understand these shifts can access opportunities far beyond their borders.

Career strategy gives you the advantage by helping you:

Signal value in a global marketplace
Align your strengths with fast-emerging roles
Stay visible in a cautious hiring climate
Make intentional moves in a slow-transition market
Build hybrid skills that travel

In times of uncertainty, strategy becomes stability.

The Bottom Line

AI isn't the threat.
Economic cycles aren’t the threat.
Skill shifts aren’t the threat.

The real threat is navigating a changing world of work without a clear strategy.

Your career is not a job title.
It is an evolving ecosystem that requires clarity, intention, and a roadmap.

And the best time to build that roadmap is right now.

FAQs: Why Career Strategy Matters Now

1. Is AI responsible for the slowdown in global hiring?

No. LinkedIn’s 2026 labor market data shows that AI is not the cause of sluggish hiring. The slowdown is primarily driven by economic uncertainty and monetary policy, with hiring sitting 20–35% below pre‑pandemic levels.

2. Is AI eliminating jobs in Africa or globally?

No—AI is creating more roles than it replaces. Over 1.3 million new AI‑enabled jobs emerged in the past two years, including new roles such as AI engineers, forward-deployed engineers, and data annotators.

3. What are “new‑collar” roles, and why do they matter?

New‑collar roles blend technical fluency with uniquely human capabilities like communication, adaptability, and problem‑solving. They are becoming the backbone of the digital economy, opening non-traditional pathways into well-paying, future‑oriented work.

4. Why are job transitions at a 10‑year low?

LinkedIn reports that fewer people are changing jobs than at any time in the past decade, despite job seekers outnumbering job openings. This is linked to employer caution and global economic uncertainty.

5. Why is AI literacy becoming essential?

Demand for AI literacy has grown ~70% year-over-year, even outside traditional tech roles. Employers now expect baseline AI understanding as part of general professional competence.

6. What do these trends mean specifically for African professionals?

Africa is at a strategic inflection point. As global hiring becomes more skills-driven and more digital, African professionals who signal value clearly, build hybrid capability, and stay visible online can access opportunities not limited by geography.

7. How does career strategy help professionals navigate a shifting labor market?

Career strategy provides clarity when the market is uncertain. It helps professionals:

Position their strengths in a cautious hiring climate
Build visibility where it matters
Align their skills to emerging new‑collar roles
Navigate transitions when opportunities are limited
These shifts make strategic positioning essential, not optional.

8. What skills matter most in 2026?

Professionals need a mix of technical skills (including AI literacy) and human skills, particularly adaptability, problem‑solving, and communication — the skill blend defining new-collar roles.

9. Are emerging AI‑related roles accessible to non‑technical professionals?

Yes. Many new‑collar or AI‑adjacent roles do not require deep technical backgrounds but instead demand curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to learn. Hybrid roles are increasingly common and accessible.

10. Why is visibility more important now than in previous years?

With hiring down and job transitions low, professionals who signal their value clearly online—especially on LinkedIn—stand out in a competitive, cautious hiring environment. Visibility is now a strategic advantage.

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The post 2026 Labor Market Trends: Why Career Strategy Matters More Than Ever in Africa appeared first on Licia Dewing Career Strategist.

Leveraging LinkedIn: Stop Scrolling. Start Strategizing.

Licia Dewing — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Most professionals use LinkedIn like a digital CV or a place to be visible enough without standing out too much.

Treating LinkedIn like a task instead of a strategy.

The Leverage LinkedIn course was created to change that.
Because your next opportunity isn’t waiting to be discovered, it’s waiting to be designed.

This course will teach you how to think strategically about how you show up, what you say, and how you connect, so that every click, comment, and post moves you closer to where you want to go.

Why Strategy Matters

The difference between being on LinkedIn and leveraging LinkedIn is simple: intention.

Strategy gives direction to your visibility. It helps you show up with purpose not perfection and positions you as the kind of professional people want to follow, hire, or collaborate with.

Before you start posting or optimizing your profile, you need to know:

Who you are
Who you’re speaking to
And what message you’re putting into the world

That’s where the LinkedIn Strategy Framework comes in : a practical guide that helps you build clarity, confidence, and consistency.

Mindset Shift: “LinkedIn isn’t about being seen, it’s about being understood by the right people.”

How Do I Look?

Your LinkedIn profile is your shop window. It’s the first impression that speaks before you do.

Inside the course, we dive into profile optimization, helping you craft a profile that reflects not just what you’ve done, but who you are becoming.

You’ll get Canva templates for visuals that elevate your brand and access visibility power tools that make your presence pop.

Because a strong profile invites opportunity.

Bonus 1: Online Inspire Visibility Community
A space to connect, learn, and grow your visibility alongside others who are also ready to rise.

Mindset Shift:“I’m not just updating my profile, I’m upgrading my brand.”

Action Step: Review your headline, about section, and banner image. Ask: Does this tell the story of where I’m going next?

Who Am I Connected To?

Your network is your net worth, but only when you nurture it intentionally.

This module teaches you how to grow your circles of influence with strategy and heart. It’s not about adding random connections; it’s about building meaningful relationships that align with your career goals.

You’ll also learn the Jam Sandwich DM Strategy : a smart, authentic way to connect through direct messages without sounding salesy or forced.

Bonus 2: Jam Sandwich DM Strategy Guide

Mindset Shift: “Connection is about cultivating trust.”

Action Step: Each week, reach out to one new person with genuine curiosity, not a pitch. Ask questions. Add value. Build the bridge before you cross it.

What Am I Saying?

If your content sounds like everyone else’s, you’ll blend into the noise.

This section helps you build your communication strategy, find your authentic voice, and access content resources that make creation easier and more intentional.

We’ll help you stop being “vanilla” and start being valuable.

You’ll learn how to align your messaging with your brand so your audience connects to what you stand for and not just what you sell.

Bonus 3: Content Strategy Guide

Mindset Shift: “My content isn’t about me, it’s about the difference I make.”

Action Step: Write one post this week that shares a story, lesson, or perspective that reveals what you care about most, not just what you do.

LinkedIn Company Pages

For business owners, entrepreneurs, or leaders your LinkedIn Company Page is a powerful but underused tool.

We’ll walk you through how to set it up, optimize it, and build a simple content strategy that aligns with your personal brand and business goals.

This is where consistency meets credibility and your brand gains a professional digital footprint that works for you.

Bonus 4: LinkedIn Pages Action Plans

Mindset Shift: “A company page isn’t just about marketing — it’s about movement.”

Action Step: Audit your page. Is it active? Aligned? Does it reflect the story your brand is telling today?

LinkedIn for Job Seekers

If you’re navigating a career transition, this section is your blueprint.

You’ll learn how to position yourself for new opportunities, craft a standout presence, and use visibility to attract the roles that align with your purpose and potential.

This is about career positioning.

Mindset Shift:“I’m not applying for jobs, I’m positioning for alignment.”

Action Step: Revisit your “Open to Work” settings and tailor your summary to speak directly to the kind of opportunities you want next, not the ones you’ve already done.

Why This Matters Now

Algorithms no longer reward noise, they reward authenticity and clarity.

The professionals who are growing fastest today are the ones who know how to communicate who they are, what they do, and why it matters.

Visibility is no longer optional. It’s your new advantage.
And strategy — not luck — is what creates momentum.

Mindset Shift: “Being visible isn’t about ego — it’s about impact.”

Final Thoughts

Your next client, collaborator, or career opportunity is one connection away, but they can’t find you if you’re not showing up strategically.

Leveraging LinkedIn course gives you the clarity, structure, and tools to do just that.

Because your personal brand isn’t built by chance, it’s built by design.
And that design starts when you choose to stop scrolling and start strategizing.

Takeaway:

Your LinkedIn presence is a living, breathing reflection of your professional future.
Work on it, refine it, and use it to communicate your story, boldly and intentionally.

Your opportunity is already out there.

It’s time to leverage LinkedIn, and let the world see the work you’re meant to do.

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Book a Complimentary Career Strategy Connect Call – Where together we’ll discuss what makes sense for you in your career right now.

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Unlearn What You Know About Career Success

Licia Dewing — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:55:00 +0000

We’ve been told the same story for far too long.
Work hard on your job. Keep your head down. Climb the ladder. Be patient. Your time will come.

But that’s not how BIG careers are actually built?

You can spend years being busy in your job, doing everything absolutely right, and still not move forward.

Why?

Because working in your career keeps you busy.
But working on your career builds your future.
And that shift, that tiny but powerful distinction, is where transformation begins.

The Mindset Shift: Unlearn What You’ve Been Taught

Career success doesn’t happen by default. It happens by design.

We grow up believing that if we’re competent, reliable, and work long enough, opportunity will find us. But in today’s world, that belief will keep you stuck in the cycle of being busy instead of being strategic.

To grow your career, you have to unlearn the idea that effort alone creates results.
Effort without direction = exhaustion.
Effort with intention = elevation.

So, let’s start with this simple reframe:

“I am no longer just working in my career — I am working on my career.”

This is about thinking differently.

Weekly Mindset Shifts Create BIG Careers

BIG careers aren’t built overnight, they’re built in moments of clarity and consistent small shifts.

Every week offers a chance to shift something, your mindset, your focus, your boundaries, your beliefs.

Think of your mindset as the engine that drives your career forward. If you keep running the same old programs,

“I’ll wait for the right time,” “I’m not ready yet,” “I just need to work harder”

— you’ll stay exactly where you are.

But if, every week, you make one intentional shift, a new way of thinking, seeing, or showing up and you stack that with action, your direction changes.

And when your direction changes, your destination changes.

Action Steps: Start Creating Magnificent Results in 90 Days

You don’t need a 5-year plan to change your career trajectory.
You just need 90 days of focused mindset and action alignment.

Old: “Opportunities come to those who wait.”
New: “Opportunities come to those who create.”

Here’s how to start:

Clarity & Action

Choose one area of your career to work on (visibility, networking, positioning, or upskilling).
Each week, take one strategic action toward that area — a small, deliberate step forward.

Update your LinkedIn headline to reflect where you’re going, not where you’ve been.

Reach out to one person you admire and ask for a virtual coffee chat.

Create a visibility plan for your thought leadership.

Integration & Expansion

Reflect on the shifts you’ve made — in thinking and doing.
Identify what new results have started to show up.
Ask: How do I keep building on this momentum?

Remember: Big growth often happens quietly, beneath the surface, before the results become visible.

Your Career of Tomorrow Starts Today

Every magnificent result starts with a single decision — to think differently and to take one new action.

The career you want isn’t waiting in the future; it’s being created right now, in your next mindset shift, your next conversation, your next courageous step.

You don’t need to wait for the “perfect time.”
You just need to start.

So ask yourself today:

“What new mindset will I choose?”
“What one action will I take this week to work on my career?”

Because when you start doing that, consistently, intentionally, powerfully you’re no longer waiting for success.
You’re creating it.

Your future career is calling.
It starts with your next mindset shift, and your next action, today

Why This Matters Now

The way we work and the way we build careers has changed.

The old model of “do your time and climb the ladder” is outdated and no longer guarantees growth, security, or fulfillment.

The world of work is more dynamic, less predictable, and more opportunity-driven than ever before.

To thrive, you need agency, the ability to direct your career, not just react to it.

Every week, people are redefining success: choosing meaning over titles, autonomy over approval, and purpose over pace.

If you keep operating with old definitions of success, you risk building a career that looks good on paper but feels hollow in reality.

That’s why this matters now more than ever — because your next level of success won’t come from doing more of what you’ve always done.

It will come from thinking differently, acting deliberately, and creating consciously.

Your mindset is your new career strategy.

And your actions — small, steady, and consistent — are the proof of it.

Bonus Takeaway

Identify what you’ve been taught about career success.

Ask: Which of these beliefs no longer serve where I want to go?

Replace one old belief each week with a new empowering one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to “work on my career” instead of in it?

Working in your career means doing your daily tasks, delivering results, and staying busy — the operational side of your work.
Working on your career means stepping back to think strategically: aligning your goals, visibility, personal brand, and growth path with where you want to go next. It’s intentional design, not reactive effort.

Why do I need to “unlearn” what I know about success?

Because most of what we were taught about career success was built for a different time.
Today’s world rewards clarity, adaptability, visibility, and self-leadership — not just hard work.
Unlearning is about letting go of outdated beliefs so you can create space for new ones that match the reality of modern career growth.

What are weekly mindset shifts, and why do they matter?

Mindset shifts are small, conscious changes in how you think about your career — and they compound over time.

What can really change in 90 days?

More than you think.
In 90 days, you can completely change how you see yourself, how others see you, and how you show up in your career.
By pairing mindset shifts with intentional weekly actions, you create visible momentum.
You’ll gain clarity, confidence, and opportunities that align with the future you’re designing — not the one you’ve been tolerating.

How do I know where to start?

Start with awareness; Where do I feel stuck or unseen in my career right now? What do I need to believe differently to move forward?

Small shifts. Big results.

What if I don’t have time to work on my career?

That’s exactly why you need to.
If you’re always too busy doing the work, you’ll never have time to design the future of your work.

Start small, just 15 minutes a week of reflection, journaling, or updating your visibility online can create momentum.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress.

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Are You Aligned with Your Current Potential?

Licia Dewing — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Are You Living Out a Past Career Vision VS Creating a Present One That Reflects Your Full Potential?

There’s a moment in every career when you realise: What you once wanted is no longer what you need.

Not because it was wrong.
But because you’ve grown.

And your vision? It may not have grown with you.

In 2025, career success is no longer about climbing the ladder.

It’s about checking in:

Does the life you’re living reflect who you are now — or who you used to be?

The Problem with Old Visions

When you first mapped your career vision, you were working with what you knew at the time — your skills, your values, your understanding of what was possible.

But then life happened. You changed. You evolved.
And sometimes, without realising it, you're still running on an old script:

A job title you once aspired to that no longer excites you
A “five-year plan” that doesn’t feel aligned anymore
A personal brand that reflects who you were, not who you are becoming

You cannot build a meaningful, energising future by clinging to a version of yourself you’ve already outgrown.

The Gift of the Present Vision

A present vision asks you to be honest.

To come home to yourself.

To choose clarity over comfort.

And yes—it can feel disruptive.

Because creating a new vision means letting go of the one that got you here.

You didn’t come this far just to stay the same.

You came to expand.

To align.

To lead.

To design a career — and a life — that reflects your full potential.

A present vision starts with presence.

It asks:

Who am I today?
What energises me now?
Where is my soul pulling me?
What do I want to be known for in this season of my life?

How to Shift from Past to Present

If this message is hitting home, you’re likely at a career crossroads — not because things are falling apart, but because something inside you is waking up.

Here’s how to honour that:

Audit your alignment.
Does your current work reflect your current self?

Revisit your values.
What matters most to you now — not five years ago?

Reconnect with your energy.
What do you love talking about, teaching, sharing, solving?

Refresh your visibility.
Does your LinkedIn, bio, or brand reflect who you are — or who you were?

Give yourself permission to pivot.
You’re not “starting over” — you’re starting aligned.

You’re Allowed to Evolve Your Vision

You don’t need to justify your growth to anyone.
You just need to own it.

There is power in reimagining.
There is wisdom in shifting direction.
There is clarity in letting go of the version of success that no longer fits.

And here’s what I know to be true:
You cannot create your future by dragging your past into it.

So Let Me Ask You Again…

Are you still living out a past vision — a vision that’s safe, expected, or no longer energising?
Or are you brave enough to create a present one — one that honours your potential, your passion, your power?

This is your invitation.
To stop replaying.
And start redesigning.

Because your next level requires a new vision — one only you can create.

Let’s go build that.

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We’re Operating in a Career Economy That Demands Constant Reinvention

Licia Dewing — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Reinvention is the New Relevance

There’s no sugarcoating the fact that the world of work has changed—drastically.

What used to work doesn’t always work anymore.

The rules have shifted, and the map has changed.

We’re no longer operating in a linear career ladder economy.
We’re now in a career economy—fast-paced, fluid, and full of possibility—but only if you’re ready to play a different game.

And that game? It requires reinvention. Constantly.

You Don’t Have a Job — You Have a Personal Economy

In 2025, your career is no longer defined by your job title or your industry.

It’s defined by how you think, how you position yourself, and how visible you are for the right things.

Your skills, your insights, your ability to adapt and realign—these are your currency.

You are the economy.
Your ideas, your energy, your focus—these are your assets.

And just like any thriving economy, you need to invest, evolve, and expand.

What Reinvention Really Means

Let’s be clear -reinvention isn’t about throwing everything away.

It’s about reconnecting with who you truly are, so your work reflects your growth, not just your history.

Reinvention sounds like:

“What do I want now?” (Not: What should I want?)
“How do I want to be experienced by the world?”
“Where is the soul of my work, and is it visible?”

Reinvention is powerful because it’s rooted in truth—not trends.

It’s an unfolding, not a performance.

And it’s essential in a world where AI can mimic information, but only you can bring intention, meaning, and energy.

Here’s What the Career Economy Demands of You Now

In this new economy, static doesn’t sell.

You can’t rely on what you’ve always done or who you used to be.

Because visibility now = relevance.

And relevance = reinvention.

The boldest thing you can do in your career right now is ask:

“Am I still in alignment with what I’ve become?”

Because when you outgrow the roles, identities, and limits you once accepted, it’s your responsibility—and your invitation—to evolve.

Here’s how to stay ahead:

Revisit your purpose often
Audit your presence—what are you known for?
Evolve your message—does your LinkedIn, CV, or brand reflect who you are today?
Make moves that match your next level, not your last one
Stay visible for what matters—your zone of excellence, your unique voice, your values

The Real Risk Is Not Reinventing

You’re not meant to be stuck in a version of yourself that no longer fits.
Work is meant to evolve with you, not define you.

And yes—it’s vulnerable to pivot. It’s messy to start again.
But what’s the cost of staying hidden in a version of your career that no longer feels true?

You don’t need a crisis to evolve. You just need clarity and courage.

Because reinvention doesn’t mean starting over—it means starting aligned.

This Is a Call to Action

Your story is still unfolding.

And the career economy we’re in now? It rewards the bold. The visible. The real.

So check in with yourself:

Are you living out a past vision—or creating a present one that reflects your full potential?

You don’t need permission to evolve.

You just need to decide:

I’m ready to become more visible for who I am becoming.

The career economy is fast, but your clarity is faster.

And when you move from clarity, you don’t just survive change—you lead it.

Reinvention isn’t optional anymore. It’s your competitive advantage.

Keep evolving.
Keep aligning.

Keep becoming.

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Ever Felt That Despite Your Achievements, Something’s Missing in Your Career?

Licia Dewing — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0000

When Career Success Doesn’t Equal Fulfillment

You’ve climbed the ladder.

You’ve checked the boxes.

You’ve got the job title, the credentials, and a LinkedIn profile that tells the story of success.

But when the noise quiets—when the laptop closes and the meetings end—there’s a feeling you can’t quite shake.

“Is this it?”

If this thought has ever crossed your mind, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. You’re asking one of the most human questions in a world that’s redefining what it means to thrive at work.

The Career Landscape: More Complex Than Ever

The definition of career success is no longer linear—or stable.

The old roadmap of “get qualified, get promoted, get comfortable” is giving way to a more fluid, dynamic model. Work is hybrid, AI is automating entire functions, and job security has become job adaptability.

We’re operating in a career economy that demands constant reinvention.

Achievement doesn’t always equal alignment.

You might be:

Excelling in a role that doesn’t energize you
Leading teams while secretly yearning for more creativity or autonomy
In demand professionally but feeling invisible personally
Paid well, yet unfulfilled

The Missing Piece: Is it more Meaning?

Too often, we get so good at doing what’s expected that we forget to ask:

“Is this what I actually want?”

That’s where the discomfort comes in.

It’s not that you’re underperforming—it’s that your internal compass is recalibrating.

You’re being nudged toward:

Work that reflects who you truly are
Goals that energize, not just exhaust

A career that’s not just successful—but soulfully aligned

What This Feeling Is Telling You

Feeling that “something’s missing” isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a signal.

It’s the career equivalent of a check engine light. And it usually means:

You’ve outgrown your current role or identity
You’ve achieved external success but crave internal satisfaction
You’re ready to make a more intentional, values-aligned move

From Achievement to Alignment

The most powerful shift you can make in 2025 is from chasing achievement to cultivating alignment. That means:

Defining success on your own terms
Making space for reflection—not just reaction
Building a career that honors your values, not just your résumé
Becoming visible for who you are, not just what you do

You don’t need to burn everything down.

You just need to start asking different questions.

What You Can Do Today

Audit Your Energy – What tasks drain you? What lights you up? Notice the pattern.
Revisit Your ‘Why’ – Beyond salary or status, what’s the deeper reason you work?
Clarify Your Career Identity – Who are you becoming through your work?
Talk It Out – A coach, strategist, or mentor can help you connect the dots and see your blind spots.

Be Visible for What Matters – Update your personal brand to reflect the direction you’re moving in, not just where you’ve been.

You’re Not Crazy. You’re Growing.

If you're feeling that “something’s missing,” you’re not in crisis—you’re in transition.

Your career is evolving—and you’re ready to evolve with it.

Because in 2025, the real flex isn’t just having a powerful résumé.

It’s having a career that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

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Progress is Powerful – Keep Going

Licia Dewing — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:54:18 +0000

What Progress Really Looks Like in 2025

There’s something quiet but mighty about progress.

The kind that whispers: “You’re not where you were.”

The kind that only you notice—until the world starts catching up.

And if you’re reading this, maybe you need the reminder:

Progress is powerful. Keep going.

The Problem with the Pace of the World in 2025

Right now, the world moves fast—AI is rewriting how we work, hybrid teams stretch across time zones, and “success” is sold in highlight reels.

The temptation is always there to compare your in-process moment to someone else’s curated destination.

No algorithm can measure: Inner momentum matters more than outer metrics.

It’s not about how fast you’re going—it’s about whether you’re heading in the right direction for you.

And progress, even when it’s invisible to others, is still progress.

The Soul of Progress

Progress isn’t always linear.

Sometimes, it’s emotional. Or mental. Or deeply spiritual.

It looks like:

Saying “no” to something that no longer fits—even if it used to
Giving yourself permission to change direction
Taking the call. Booking the session. Clicking “send”
Getting clear on who you are—before you let the world decide for you

That counts.

Every bit of it.

And it’s building something: clarity, courage, capacity.

That’s the kind of progress I champion.

The kind that moves you closer to who you truly are, not just what’s expected of you.

Progress Is Your Power Source

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep moving.
Because when you do—when you take one intentional step toward alignment—it compounds.

Progress builds belief.
Belief fuels momentum.
Momentum creates transformation.

And transformation?

That’s the start of your next chapter. The one where your career, your voice, your presence—all start to mirror your truth.

Don’t Wait for Perfect

If you’re feeling stuck, stagnant, or unsure, pause and ask:

Where was I a year ago?
What do I know now that I didn’t then?
What part of me has grown, even if no one else can see it yet?

Celebrate that.

You’ve chosen the harder, braver path: Becoming.

You’re not faking it. You’re forging it.

And that’s what makes the difference.

So, Keep Going

Progress doesn’t need an audience.

It just needs you……….showing up, one brave, beautiful step at a time.

You’re closer than you think.
You’re building something real.
You’re doing better than you know.

Progress is powerful. Keep going.

Loved this insight?

Let's put it into action!

Book a Complimentary Career Strategy Connect Call – Where together we’ll discuss what makes sense for you in your career right now.

The post Progress is Powerful – Keep Going appeared first on Licia Dewing Career Strategist.

How Early Career Influences Shape Your Professional Path

Licia Dewing — Tue, 20 May 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Why Your Childhood Might Be Steering Your Career (and What to Do About It)

When we think about career development, we usually focus on skills, networking, or job market trends.

But there’s another, quieter influence that plays a huge role in the choices we make: the messages we absorbed about work early in life.

These early career influences—the people, experiences, and environments from our childhood—can shape our mindset around success, money, ambition, and risk. Most of us carry them unconsciously, even decades later.

How Early Career Influences Shape Your Professional Path

Your career choices may not be as spontaneous or self-directed as they seem. These unconscious beliefs, emotional associations, and expectations we absorb in childhood about work, money, and success.

Whether you realize it or not, your career mindset today may be rooted in the experiences and messages you were exposed to long before you typed your first résumé.

What Are Early Career Influences?

They’re the beliefs and attitudes we pick up from adults and experiences during our formative years.

Think about:

The way your parents talked about their jobs (or didn’t).
Whether work was a source of pride or stress in your home.
What careers were presented to you as “successful,” “secure,” or “impractical.”
The kinds of work you saw modeled around you—whether through family, teachers, or community members.

These form the career conditioning that shapes how we think about work, often without us being conscious of it.

These early messages often become mental scripts.

Some of them help.

Others can hold us back.

How They Shape Us.

These influences can shape:

What kind of work feels “safe”
What you consider “real success”
Whether you aim high or play it safe
Your attitude toward authority, structure, or risk
The kinds of workplaces where you thrive (or don’t)

Career development is about self-awareness.

When you hit roadblocks like burnout, imposter syndrome, or chronic dissatisfaction, early career influences could be at play.

Understanding them helps with:

Identifying misaligned goals
Releasing inherited fears or pressures
Making intentional, values-based career moves

Real-Life Examples of Early Career Conditioning

Example 1:

Someone who grew up with entrepreneur parents might avoid business ownership as an adult—not because they lack the skill or desire, but because they associate entrepreneurship with instability and stress.

Example 2:

Another person who saw a parent thrive in a community-facing role may struggle to find meaning in a corporate job, even if the salary is better.

In both cases, early career experiences silently shape adult decisions.

Why This Matters Now

We can’t change the past, but we can become more aware of how it’s affecting our present. If you're feeling stuck, misaligned, or confused about your career direction, looking back might offer answers that assessments and career quizzes never could.

How to Reflect and Reframe Your Career Mindset

Here’s a simple exercise:

To reconnect with your true career direction, try this reflection exercise:

List the adults who influenced your view of work – parents, relatives, teachers, neighbors.
Write down what you learned from them – directly or indirectly. What did their work life look like? How did it make you feel?
Notice any patterns or emotional reactions – pride, fear, pressure, rebellion.
Ask yourself: Are these beliefs helping me now? Or are they limiting me?

This isn’t about blaming anyone.

It’s about understanding the script you were handed—and deciding if it still serves you.

This kind of career reflection brings clarity. It helps you separate what you want from what you were taught to want.

Final Thoughts:

We don’t start our careers with a clean slate. We inherit ideas, fears, and motivations from the world we grew up in. The good news?

Early career influences are powerful, but they’re not destiny.

Once we recognize those early influences, we can start making career choices based on who we are now—not just who we were expected to be- we can stop operating on autopilot and start building a career that actually fits you—not just the version of you shaped by childhood expectations.

Loved this insight?

Let's put it into action!

Book a Complimentary Career Strategy Connect Call – Where together we’ll discuss what makes sense for you in your career right now.

The post How Early Career Influences Shape Your Professional Path appeared first on Licia Dewing Career Strategist.

Why Crafting Your Career Story Is the Most Powerful Move You Can Make Right Now

Licia Dewing — Thu, 15 May 2025 06:25:17 +0000

If you’re standing at a crossroads in your career, feeling uncertain or energized (or both), there’s one move that will clarify your next step: writing your career story.

This isn’t about polishing a resume or scripting a perfect elevator pitch.

It’s about sitting down, digging deep, and putting your journey into your own words—on your own terms.

Here’s why this matters, and how to do it in a way that actually works.

Your Career Story Is Already There—You Just Need to See It

Everyone has a story.

What most people lack is perspective.

That’s where this exercise begins: not with your job titles, but with your early influences, the moments that shaped you, and the chapters that define your path so far.

Think back to what first inspired you, what choices you made along the way, and what themes keep showing up.

You’re not inventing something from scratch—you’re uncovering a through-line that’s already there.

**There’s No Right Format—Just Your Format**

There’s no “correct” way to tell your story. Forget the idea that it has to be polished or professional-sounding.

The only rule? It needs to feel real.

You can:

Write it like a letter to your younger self
Record a voice note talking to your future self
Jot it down in messy bullet points
Scribble it out by hand in a notebook

The key is to speak in your natural voice. Drop the corporate lingo. Say it like you’d explain it to a cousin or a close friend. Authenticity connects more than perfection ever will.

Why You Need to Own Your Narrative

If you don’t own your story, someone else will tell it for you. A recruiter, a boss, a colleague—they’ll interpret your path based on surface-level details. Titles. Gaps. Promotions.

But when you craft your own story, you get to decide the frame. You define what mattered most.

You explain the why behind the what.
That’s your power.

And skipping this exercise?

That’s the only “wrong” approach, because it leaves your future in someone else’s hands.

Self-Knowledge Is Your Career Superpower

Understanding your career story isn't just a feel-good exercise—it's a practical one. It gives you clarity on your values, helps you recognize your strengths, and surfaces the motivations behind your decisions.

This level of self-knowledge is a huge differentiator in the future of work, where adaptability, emotional intelligence, and personal branding matter as much as hard skills. Knowing your story helps you answer, with confidence: Who am I professionally, and what do I bring to the table that no one else does?

Break Your Career Into Chapters

To build your story, start by breaking your career into chapters. Each role, company, or career pivot is a distinct stage. For each chapter, ask yourself:

What was I doing?
What did I learn?
What did I love or struggle with?
What values or strengths showed up?

This exercise isn’t about rewriting your resume—it’s about understanding what each experience taught you and how it shaped who you are now.

Reflection Beats Resume Updates

Set aside time to reflect deeply and honestly. No editing, no judging—just write or think freely about your career experiences. The goal is to get past surface-level facts and uncover recurring patterns, themes, and turning points.

Only you can uncover these insights. No one else can connect the dots for you. This is your story—raw, real, and yours alone.

Connect the Dots to Discover Your Narrative

Once you’ve mapped out your career chapters, step back and look at the full picture. What links them together? Maybe it’s a passion for solving complex problems, a knack for building teams, or a drive to create social impact.

These threads become the core of your career narrative. And that narrative isn’t just useful for job interviews or personal branding—it helps you make smarter decisions about what’s next.

Your Next Chapter Starts with This One

Writing your career story isn’t just about the past. It’s about unlocking clarity for what’s next. As you write, pay attention to the energy. What patterns light you up? What turns feel unfinished? That’s your future calling.

You’re not just documenting your journey—you’re positioning yourself for the next chapter.

And that chapter gets a lot more exciting when you know exactly who you are and where you’ve been.

Crafting your career story is the first step in owning your professional future. This is the foundation of the “Know Yourself” stage—a critical phase for anyone rethinking their direction or preparing for a transition.

When you know your story, you stop drifting and start choosing with intention. You see your path clearly. You gain confidence in your next move. And you stand out, not because of a title, but because you know exactly who you are and where you’re headed.

How to Begin—Now

Start with your reflections from earlier exercises: your childhood influences, defining moments, and career highs and lows.

Write or record your story in any format that feels right.

Don’t overthink it—just start.

The important part is that you’ve started.

Because in a noisy world your unfiltered, honest story stands out more than anything else.

Book a complimentary Career Strategy call.

Let’s discuss what you might need right now and which career strategy service is exemplary.

Access the Link here: Career Strategy Connect.

If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at "Career Strategy Club: Where Mindset Meets Action Weekly" for more mindset and action steps to power your career forward.

The post Why Crafting Your Career Story Is the Most Powerful Move You Can Make Right Now appeared first on Licia Dewing Career Strategist.

Career Clarity Begins the Moment You Decide to Stop Winging It

Licia Dewing — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Let’s be honest: most people are winging it.

Scrolling job boards at midnight. Sending out resumes like darts in the dark. Saying yes to roles that feel meh because, well, they showed up.

Career by default instead of design.
Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: Your career clarity doesn’t arrive like a lightning bolt.

It begins the moment you say, “No more guessing. No more drifting. I’m ready to do this with intention.”

It starts the moment you stop winging it.

Why “Winging It” Is a Slow Burn

Winging it feels harmless at first.

It’s flexible.

Spontaneous.

“Let’s see what happens,” right?

But over time, it becomes a silent thief.

It robs you of direction.
Of confidence.
Of the deep knowing that you’re building a life — not just chasing jobs.

The cost of winging it is rarely dramatic.

It’s subtle:
A misaligned title here.
A toxic team there.
Another year of “how did I get here?” creeping in.

And then — we settle.

Clarity Isn’t Magic. It’s a Decision.

We tend to think clarity is something that finds us.

Like one day we’ll wake up, stretch, and finally know what we’re meant to do.

Spoiler: that day doesn’t come — unless you come for it.

Clarity comes after you get honest.

After you ask:

What do I actually want to be known for?
What kind of work lights me up and earns me respect?
What am I pretending not to know?

This isn’t just strategy.

It’s self-leadership.

Uncommon Career Clarity Moves

Want to stop winging it? Here are a few unexpected ways to begin:

1. Audit Your Yeses

Go through the last 10 times you said “yes” to something career-related — a project, a meeting, a job interview.

Now ask: Was that a “hell yes” or a “just because”?

Clarity starts by noticing where you’ve abandoned it.

2. Start a 'No List'

Everyone’s got a to-do list. But the most powerful professionals have a “not anymore” list.

What are you done tolerating?

What roles, values, or environments are non-negotiables for you?

Write them down. Stick them on your wall.

3. Speak Your Vision Out Loud

There’s magic in articulation.

Try this: Go for a walk and voice-record your ideal workday. No filters. No “shoulds.”

Just speak it.

You’ll be surprised what clarity emerges when you stop editing yourself.

Career Strategy Is Not a Luxury. It’s Survival.

We plan weddings, holidays, 5-year savings goals…

But careers? We “see how it goes.”

Enough.

A strategy isn’t a rigid roadmap. It’s a filter. A compass.

It’s the decision to bring your whole self to the table, not just the resume version.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to stop winging it.

You just need to start choosing on purpose.

Ready to Make Career Decisions Like You Mean It?

This is what I help my clients do every day — craft bold, aligned, non-generic career strategies that turn “drift” into drive.

If you’re ready to trade confusion for clarity and winging it for winning it, let's talk.

Because work is not meant to be a struggle.

And you? You’re not meant to play small.

It’s never too late to get started.

What’s Really Stopping You from Getting Career Clarity?

Here are some unspoken, often unseen reasons people stay stuck in career fog instead of stepping into career clarity:

1. Clarity Feels Confrontational

Getting clear means getting honest.

And honesty can be uncomfortable — especially if it points to regret, misalignment, or the realization that you’ve outgrown the path you’re on.

It’s easier to stay “busy” than to face that mirror.

2. They Mistake Clarity for Certainty

Many believe that clarity = a guaranteed outcome.

But clarity isn’t about certainty. It’s about direction.

Not “I know exactly what will happen” — but “I know who I am and how I want to show up.”

Big difference.

3. They’re Waiting for Permission

Some are waiting for a boss, mentor, or friend to say, “Go for it.”

But career clarity doesn’t come from someone else’s green light.

It comes the moment you decide to trust your instincts over external validation.

4. They’re Addicted to the ‘Almost’

Strange, but true: Some people are more comfortable being almost ready, almost clear, almost there — because actual clarity requires commitment.

And commitment feels scary when you’re not sure you’ll succeed.

5. Fear of Breaking the Illusion

The moment you get clear, you might have to admit that the career you’ve built isn’t the one you want.

And that can feel like betrayal — of past choices, past versions of yourself, or others’ expectations.

So… you stay unclear. It feels safer.

6. They’re Over-Researched and Under-Decided

Too much Googling. Too many podcasts. Too many “Top 10 Careers for INFJs” lists.

Clarity doesn’t come from data alone.
It comes from processing, experimenting, reflecting — and deciding.

7. They Don’t Believe Career Can Feel That Good

Deep down, some people don’t believe they deserve a career they love.

So they settle.

They call ambition “privilege.”

They call desire “impractical.”

But it’s not. It’s human. And it’s the fuel behind meaningful work.

8. They Confuse Movement with Momentum

New job, same fog.

Promotion, still unfulfilled.

People stay “in motion” — changing roles, teams, industries — without doing the inner work that creates actual momentum.

That’s the power of strategy.

Doing the work

Doing the work to get clear in your career is one of the most courageous and life-giving things you’ll ever do.

Because when you finally give yourself permission to stop drifting and start deciding, everything shifts.

You stop chasing roles that don’t fit and start attracting opportunities that see you.

You speak with conviction.

You show up differently — with confidence, with clarity, with purpose.

The noise quiets. The path unfolds.

It’s not always easy work, but it’s deeply worth it.

Because the moment you choose to know yourself — really know yourself — is the moment you unlock a career that feels like it was made for you.

Book a complimentary Career Strategy call.

Let’s discuss what you might need right now and which career strategy service is exemplary.

Access the Link here: Career Strategy Connect.

If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at "Career Strategy Club: Where Mindset Meets Action Weekly" for more mindset and action steps to power your career forward.

The post Career Clarity Begins the Moment You Decide to Stop Winging It appeared first on Licia Dewing Career Strategist.