There were many times in my early career that I wished I had spoken up to my boss about how I wanted to develop my career. But I didn't.

As a result, my career history is littered with a bunch of 'should have,' 'could have,' 'would haves'—regrets that could have been easily resolved had I known how to go about initiating a career conversation.

I'm pretty sure I fumbled that whole conversation, but through that chance I took, I changed the trajectory of my career.

When you're wired to seek control, career conversations can feel like a double-edged sword—equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. You want things to go according to plan, but as we know, plans can change.

Wanting control doesn't mean being inflexible or resistant to change. It's really about seeking clarity, accountability, and measurable progress in your career journey.

So how do you navigate career conversations when things don't go as expected? It takes preparation, flexibility, and resilience.