OPEN TO WORK? The Start-up of You: How One Moment Transformed My Career

This week I'm sharing why taking control of my life, destiny and direction was pivotal to the success I experience today.

And you may think well that's seems obvious, the reality is that many of us who have faced barriers in our career get stuck in a loop. We may then hope that someone will cut us free. But in reality, we often are let down by those we entrust our lives to, and remain spinning out of control in that loop.

It's time to cut yourself free!

A Career and a Family Divided

Redundancy has a way of shaking your foundation. It doesn’t just remove your income—it can feel like your identity has been pulled from under you.

This was exactly what I experienced when, the day I returned from a weeks paternity leave after the birth of my son, I found myself commuting five to six hours each week from Manchester to Bristol, living away from home three days a week in a hotel.

I invested so much of myself into the role, believing that the internal community and network I had built within the company would be enough to sustain me.

I thoughts I would in some way be rewarded for my valour and dedication, when i fact in the end I was literally just a number and an expensive one at that.

When that job ended, it all disappeared in an instant. Everything I had worked for within those four walls vanished. The connections, the value I believed I brought, and even my sense of self felt diminished.

At that moment, I made a promise to myself: I would never allow my work to isolate me from my family and the wider world again.

The Turning Point: A New Mindset from ‘The Start-up of You’

Around that time, I picked up a book that reshaped my perspective: The Start-up of You by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha . It framed the job market as an ever-evolving journey, one where we are the CEOs of our own careers. This insight completely changed how I viewed my professional life.

The book encouraged me to stop seeing myself as merely an employee. Instead, I began to view myself as an entrepreneur/intrapreneur—constantly building, adapting, and evolving.

The key takeaway for me was that you must cultivate your personal brand, rather than relying on any one job or internal network. Your value, reputation, and community need to extend beyond your role within any single organisation.

From that moment, I knew I had to change my approach. It wasn’t enough to be valuable within a company—I had to be valuable to myself and to the wider community.

Building a Personal Brand: Lean Into Your Strengths

One of the most important pieces of advice I now give to jobseekers is this:

Learn who you really are, the way your brain is wired and lean into your unique strengths.

We all have distinctive qualities that set us apart, and for me, embracing these traits and turning them into an asset was a major turning point in my career.

It’s easy to find yourself in environments that drain your energy and hinder your abilities—what I call “kryptonite.” These people or situations may appear supportive at first, but over time they weaken your confidence, creativity, and ability to thrive.

I learned to step away from those influences and focus on my strengths. Building a personal brand rooted in authenticity allows you to control your own narrative. This is not just about impressing a future employer; it’s about being recognised for who you are, not just the role you hold.

It took me many years to receive the accolade of Linkedin Top Voice or to win the book award for best DE&I book 'Neurodiversity at Work' with Prof. Amanda Kirby MBBS MRCGP PhD FCGI

The hard work of building 'the start up of me,' came way before the recognition from others. The change had to happen within, and the gift I gave to others was sharing freely what I was experiencing, what I'd learned and asking lot's of questions along the way. The types of questions others wanting answering, but for whatever reason were not in the position to ask.

Creating a Network Beyond the Job

Another crucial lesson I learned was the importance of building a community and network that exists outside of any single job. In my previous role, my network evaporated when my job did. I had no one to rely on or turn to, and that left me feeling vulnerable.

I joined the RL100 (Resourcing Leaders 100), and it was here that I first learned about neurodiversity. Around the same time, I attended my first TRU event, hosted by Bill Boorman , in Manchester. These communities became the early building blocks for me to develop a trusted network of peers and advisors, particularly in the North West of England where I lived.

By engaging with these groups, I was able to establish connections based not just on my job, but on who I am as a person. The relationships I built within these communities provided me with long-term support, advice, and opportunities that transcended any one job.

This has been one of the most impactful shifts in my career. I no longer rely solely on internal networks; instead, I have a community of professionals who know me for my strengths and respect me for my values. This network has been a lifeline, offering support whenever I’ve needed it.

Take Control of Your Career

That moment of redundancy, while challenging, was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to rethink how I approached my career and gave me the tools to take control of my future.

If there’s one thing I hope jobseekers take away from my story, it’s this: your career is your start-up. Build your personal brand, lean into your strengths, and create a network that reaches beyond your current role. That way, when the next job ends, you’ll have a community to rely on and the confidence to navigate the job market on your own terms.

So, take the leap. Embrace who you are, quirks and all, and never let any job define you. After all, you’re the CEO of your life.

If you'd like to watch or listen to the full Open to Work Podcast episode that inspired today's newsletter, where I was interviewed by Matthew Parker , you can find it here: