Why big career leaps beat playing it safe

“Stay in your lane.” That is the conventional advice I often hear when discussing how best to progress your career. Develop expertise in your chosen area, become the go-to thought leader in your company or industry, and career elevations will follow. After two decades in marketing, it seemed logical to stay in my comfort zone and aim for roles where I had the most experience. But I also knew that playing it safe can mean missing out on opportunities to grow.

I had to put this belief to the test recently when I took my first leap into business leadership, while also stepping into an entirely new industry. I won’t pretend it was a decision that didn’t carry some anxiety with it. I’ve never been a CEO before, let alone in the tech sector. But the energy and extra drive I’ve gained from the change have been worth it. If anything, the experience has reminded me why taking big leaps can be the best move you’ll ever make.

Why leaving your comfort zone is worth it

Making a major career shift can feel overwhelming. It’s natural to doubt yourself, especially when you’re stepping into a role where you don’t have all the answers. But that’s also where the magic happens.

When you step into the unknown, you give yourself the opportunity to grow. In my experience, success in these moments comes from a mix of humility, where you are willing to learn and listen, and confidence, where you trust yourself enough to take that first step forward.

For me, this balance was especially clear when I first transitioned from relative comfort as a marketing manager at a big bank to a head of marketing at a smaller specialist financial company, where I had to rely on others’ expertise while still pushing forward with conviction. The learning curve was instantly steeper, and while the job safety net wasn’t quite there in the same way, it was an important step that set me on a different path.

Starting from scratch

When I joined Fasthosts, I knew I had a credibility challenge ahead of me. I came into the role with very little knowledge of the industry and no prior CEO experience, and I had to accept that I’d be starting at square one. I would be taking over from a tenured, well-respected successful incumbent CEO, and the wider organisation culture was in a bruised state following a year of change and restructure.

One of the first things I did was sit with our customer service teams to get under the skin of the business. For my money, this is the most valuable way to spend your time when you join a new company. Listening to frontline conversations with our customers gave me an understanding of how they interacted with our products and the challenges they’re facing. It also taught me just how critical it is to stay grounded and open to learning, especially when you’re in a leadership role.

Admitting what you don’t know is never easy, but it’s the first step to building credibility and understanding the heart of a new industry. And when you bring new ideas to the table – which is an inevitable expectation when you join a new company – it will carry much more weight when they’re triggered by real interactions with real customers.

The skills that transfer

While much of the role felt unfamiliar, I quickly discovered that some skills I’d developed previously applied here as well. It’s important not to discount how useful a fresh set of eyes can be, particularly in a company where staff tenure is generally long, as is the case at Fasthosts. I’ve also come to appreciate how important it is to be able to craft a clear story and cut through the noise when trying to introduce new ideas.

These skills gave me something to lean on while I adapted to the challenges of a new industry. They also reminded me that even when everything else feels different, you’re never starting entirely from scratch. The lessons you’ve learned in previous roles can often surprise you with their relevance.

What I’ve come to realise, though, is just how critical soft skills are in this kind of transition. Taking the time to actively understand others, communicate clearly, and encourage collaboration has been invaluable. These skills have helped me build trust with my new team, gain deeper insights, and quickly adapt to the dynamics of the sector.

For business leaders, soft skills are often the deciding factor in navigating change successfully.

Growth lies in the unknown

This experience has reaffirmed what I’ve always believed. Real growth happens at the edges of your comfort zone. Taking a leap into the unknown isn’t about knowing everything on day one. It’s about listening, learning, and building confidence as you go.

I’m still early in my journey as CEO, but I can already say the energy I’ve gained from tackling something new has been incredible. If you’re thinking about making a bold career move, I’d encourage you to go for it. The world needs people who are willing to take risks, embrace challenges, and bring fresh perspectives to new spaces.

How to take the leap

If you’re considering stepping out of your comfort zone, a few lessons from my own experience might resonate.

Staying curious and humble is essential, as being open to admitting what you don’t know creates opportunities to learn and grow. It is also worth focusing on the transferable skills you already have because these can often prove more valuable than you expect in a new context. Finally, taking the leap, even when others advise against it, can lead to some of the most rewarding experiences of your career.

More importantly, bold decisions can create opportunities that go far beyond individual careers. By stepping into the unknown, we can inspire fresh ideas, reshape industries, and open doors for others to succeed.

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