LinkedIn’s Post

Career paths are rarely straight and that’s something I’ve experienced firsthand. Each setback, and decision has shaped how I think, work, and grow. What I’ve learned is that progress isn’t always about moving fast, but about learning deeply, adapting intentionally, and choosing growth even when the path isn’t clear.

LinkedIn This image is such a powerful reminder that progress rarely looks like a straight highway. Most meaningful careers wind through uncertainty, pauses, wrong turns, and unexpected detours and that’s not a flaw, it’s the design. Every curve represents a lesson learned, a skill sharpened, or a perspective gained that couldn’t have come from a straight line. Setbacks aren’t signs that we’re failing; they’re signals that we’re stretching. Pivots don’t mean starting over; they mean realigning with what we’ve learned about ourselves, our values, and our potential. Sometimes the longest routes offer the best views, even if we can’t see them while we’re in the middle of the bend. It’s easy to compare our path to someone else’s highlight reel, but no two roads are the same and they don’t need to be. Growth happens when we stay curious, keep moving, and trust that each turn is shaping us for what’s next. Careers evolve because people evolve. And when we embrace the journey instead of resisting it, we don’t just arrive somewhere, we become someone.

Thanks for sharing

It’s all a part of the process :)

LinkedIn That's True! Careers evolve through decisions made during uncertainty. Intentional action during pivots is what turns setbacks into progress.

Nonlinear paths are often where the strongest judgment and resilience are built. Growth shows up in how people adapt, not how straight the line looks!

In my own journey, the biggest growth never came from perfectly planned moves. It came from unexpected pivots, uncomfortable decisions, and moments when plans had to be rewritten. LinkedIn💙played a real role in that evolution through learning, conversations, and exposure to diverse perspectives that challenged how I think and work. Each shift sharpened my clarity and strengthened my judgment. Progress often looks messy in the moment, but it compounds quietly when you stay intentional and stay open to growth.

Totally agree! When faced with a setback, the best thing is to pause, think about the situation, and restrategize, then keep going!

Most hiring systems — human or AI — still optimise for familiar companies, linear progression, and recognisable titles because they’re quick to assess and easy to defend. Speed and defensibility matter when volume is high and time is scarce, even if they’re imperfect proxies for value. Non-linear careers build real capability — first-hire mandates, build-from-scratch roles, cross-industry moves — because they force judgment under uncertainty, systems thinking, and ownership of outcomes when there’s no established playbook. Don’t be afraid to take the path less trodden. That’s where capability is built — even if recognition comes later.