Is your career growth stuck on pause?

Hey CS Pro,

If you’re waiting for your manager to “see your potential”… stop right there. That’s not how promotions happen.

This episode is a personal one, where I unpack exactly how I went from CSM to Global VP in 7 years (without burning out or selling my soul). And more importantly, how you can do it too.

Let’s dive in.

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Stop waiting to be picked

The biggest mistake I see CSMs make?

They’re waiting.

Waiting to be recognized. Waiting for a growth plan. Waiting for someone to give them permission to lead.

But here’s the reality: leaders don’t wait to be asked. They lead first, and then the title follows.

When I was a CSM, I didn’t wait to be promoted to “team lead” before I mentored new hires or built internal processes. I looked around, found what needed doing, and took ownership.

That’s what leadership is. It’s not about your title. It’s about your behavior.

What to do instead:

Pick one initiative your manager or company needs (NPS refresh? Onboarding redesign?) and go make it happen. That’s how you get seen.

Growth = discomfort (sorry, it’s true)

I wish I could tell you that staying in your comfy role for 3 years automatically leads to a promotion. But that’s just not how it works in 2025.

Layoffs, reorgs, AI shifts, the ground is constantly moving. So if you want to move up, you’ve got to move first.

Here’s the truth:

I got to VP because I took risks.

I moved countries. I said yes to leading teams before I felt ready. I joined startups that gave me room to build. I took on roles that scared me.

And every time I did? I grew faster than I thought possible.

If you’re coasting in a job that feels safe, ask yourself: Is this still stretching me?

If not…it might be time to make a bold move.

Impact > Tenure (Every. Single. Time.)

I’ve said it before, but it needs repeating: Your years don’t matter as much as your results.

You could spend 3 years at a company doing solid work…or 6 months driving serious impact and visibility.

Guess which one gets you promoted faster?

When I made my leap from Head of CS to Global VP, it wasn’t because I had a long tenure. It was because I was already thinking and acting like a VP—tracking business metrics, aligning CS to company goals, and showing how I influenced revenue.

Start acting like the leader you want to become.

That means:

• Tracking NRR and GRR like your bonus depends on it

• Thinking beyond your book of business

• Contributing to company-wide strategy, not just customer tasks

If you want to sit at the leadership table, speak the leadership language.

This Week’s Challenge:

This week, I want you to pick one bold move for your career. Just one.

Here are a few ideas:

• Volunteer to lead a new initiative (onboarding, renewals, health scoring)

• Book a career chat with your manager and ask, “What would it take for me to grow here?”

• Apply for a stretch role you feel 70% ready for

• Write down your top accomplishments from the last quarter (and start tracking them every week)

Remember, movement creates momentum. So make the move.

That’s it for this week!

Listen Now & Build a Career You’re Proud Of

This episode is for every CSM who’s feeling stuck and wondering if a VP title is even possible.

Spoiler alert: it is. You just need the right moves.

🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:

I hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.

Cheers to your CS success,

Anika

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