Why Mid-Career Women Must Invest in Their Development to Achieve Career Growth
In the journey of a professional career, the mid-career stage can feel like both a plateau and a crossroads. For women in particular, this phase often comes with unique challenges: balancing work and family, navigating systemic barriers, or confronting self-doubt like imposter syndrome. However, it is also a pivotal time to reflect, recalibrate, and reinvest in personal and professional growth.
Add to it, the rapidly changing technology landscape and you have a new complication: ageism and the ability to stay ahead of the curve while competing with a younger generation.
Women need to prioritize their development especially when you are in the middle rungs of the corporate latter because it can unlock doors to greater career success.
Breaking Through the Plateau
At mid-career, many women find themselves excelling in their current roles but unsure how to reach the next level. This is often due to a lack of strategic self-investment. Are you aware of your shortcomings? Is it a skill gap or simply imposter syndrome? Unfortunately, no one is coming to rescue here. You would have to be your own savior. So, instead of waiting for opportunities to come your way, women must proactively seek ways to enhance their skills, expand their networks, and position themselves for growth.
Tip: Engage in activities like 360-degree feedback assessments to gain insights into your strengths and areas for improvement.
Building Leadership Confidence
A common barrier for mid-career women is self-doubt, often amplified by societal expectations or the “double bind” of being both competent and likable. "Double bind" is unique to women and can be exhausting. But it could be overcome. Investing in leadership development—whether through coaching, workshops, or peer mentorship—can help women better understand their unique leadership styles, address insecurities, and embrace their roles as impactful leaders.
Tip: Attend leadership programs designed for women, as they often address gender-specific challenges and provide actionable tools to navigate them.
Navigating Career Transitions
Mid-career often brings questions like:
- Should I pivot to a new industry?
- Am I ready for a senior leadership role?
- How can I balance professional growth with personal commitments?
Working with other women and mentors is especially beneficial. Growth journeys of other women could be great motivating factors and can provide clarity and equip women with the confidence to navigate transitions successfully.
Tip: Women networks and circles like Her Lead Story's Growth Circles are a great way to connect with like-minded women to share experiences. Join one near you.
Staying Relevant in a Changing World
The rapid evolution of industries and workplaces demands that professionals continually update their skills. Women at the mid-career stage cannot afford to lag behind in adopting new technologies, embracing innovative practices, or understanding emerging trends in their fields. This is especially critical for women given women are often stereotyped to be low-tech.
Tip: Set aside time for continuous learning, such as online courses, certifications, or attending industry events. Focus on skills that align with future trends in your industry.
Expanding Your Network and Influence
Career growth is not just about what you know—it’s also about who you know. Women must actively expand their networks to include mentors, sponsors, and peers who can provide guidance, open doors, and advocate for them in key spaces. Informal coffee chats with women leaders and others that you admire is an easy way to begin building meaningful connections.
Tip: Join professional organizations or women’s leadership groups. Attend networking events and stay active on platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other professionals.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
For many women, mid-career brings nagging doubts about whether they truly "deserve" their success. Left unaddressed, imposter syndrome can hold women back from seeking promotions, negotiating raises, or applying for stretch roles. Investing in self-development can help dismantle these barriers by reinforcing self-awareness and confidence.
Tip: Work with a coach or participate in workshops focused on overcoming imposter syndrome and celebrating your achievements.
Positioning for Senior Roles
Senior leadership roles often demand skills beyond technical expertise, such as strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and stakeholder management. Mid-career is the perfect time to develop these capabilities and position yourself as a candidate for top roles. It's a lot more strategic than we anticipate. Once you have clarity on where you want to be in say, five years, work backwards to see what is the next best role to get you closer to the goal. From there, one must actively seek the right skills, projects and last but not the least, the right connections to be at the right place and at the right time.
Tip: Take on stretch assignments, volunteer for cross-functional projects, or enroll in leadership intensives to broaden your expertise.
Investing in Yourself is Non-Negotiable
Career growth isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about unlocking your potential and creating a path that aligns with your goals and aspirations. For mid-career women, this means investing in development to break barriers, build confidence, and navigate transitions with purpose.
Your career is your greatest asset, and the time you spend honing your skills, deepening your self-awareness, and building your network will pay dividends not only for your professional growth but also for your personal fulfillment.
So, the question isn’t whether you can afford to invest in your development. The question is: Can you afford not to?
Ready to take the next step in your career? Consider attending Catalyst Leadership Program by Her Lead Story tailored to mid-career women to unlock your full potential.
About the Author: With two decades of leadership experience in Fortune 500 companies, Shilpa Mudiganti is a transformational leader passionate about paying it forward to other women in the corporate. She coaches women leaders on developing their voice, their leadership style and bringing transformation in the organization and their lives through empathetic teaching style and actionable frameworks.