Episode 24: ‘Don’t Wait. Start Today!’ with Sonal Bahl 

There is a tendency, particularly at senior levels, to assume that experience speaks for itself. That a strong track record, years of expertise and a list of achievements will somehow do the talking for us.  

Sonal Bahl challenges that assumption.

An executive coach and career strategist, Sonal works with senior professionals to increase their visibility, their influence, and ultimately, their career growth. What emerges from this conversation is not a lesson in personal branding, but a practical reminder that careers rarely stand still just because we have reached a certain level.

The message is simple: don’t wait.

Don’t wait until you need a stronger network before you start building one.

Don’t wait until you’ve been overlooked to think about visibility.

Don’t wait until circumstances force you to explain the value you bring.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion is preparation. Sonal talks about studying people she admires, learning from unlikely success stories, using AI as a sparring partner to test ideas, and challenging assumptions before they become problems. The thread connecting all of it is the belief that your career strategy development should begin long before it feels necessary. 

Sonal also challenges the often-held idea that achievements speak for themselves. They don’t. The ability to translate your experience and impact into a story others can understand is a skill in itself. That’s not being “braggadocious”; it’s making sure your value doesn’t remain hidden in plain sight. Visibility is not vanity. It’s strategy.

This is a thoughtful discussion about visibility, relevance, career growth and the significant but overlooked actions that can make a huge difference over time.

By the time you’re looking for the next opportunity, the groundwork should be well underway.