Hi {{first_name}} ,
Welcome to the first edition of The Iconic Edge.
This newsletter is for ambitious woman who's worked hard, achieved a lot, and yet... want more. More recognition. More success. More impact.
Maybe you're watching people with half your experience get opportunities you deserve.
Or you're wondering when all your effort will pay off with winning that dream job.
Or you desire recognition beyond your current role, but don’t know where to start.
Here's what I know: It's not you. It's the system you're operating in.
I know, because I was operating in the same way until I had one simple mindset shift.
And in this first edition, I want to show you how that shift in perspective can change everything.
You're Still Playing the Ladder Game
Here’s the problem. Most professional women are operating with a "ladder mindset."
They believe:
Work hard → Get noticed → Move up
Loyalty and competence = reward
The next promotion or new job will finally give them the recognition they deserve
But here's the uncomfortable truth: The corporate ladder is outdated, especially for women.
It's overcrowded. The rungs are further apart for us. And someone else controls when (or if) you get to climb.
Even worse? AI and technology is making that ladder even more precarious. Roles are being automated. Middle management is shrinking. The "rules" you've been following are rapidly evaporating.
The ladder was designed for a different age. And waiting for it to catch up is costing you opportunities, income, and time.
Build Your Stage Instead
Here's what you need to do differently: Stop climbing and start building.
Shift from a "ladder mindset" to a "stage mindset."
The ladder mindset says:
Wait to be chosen
Prove your worth to gatekeepers
Play the ‘game’ and hope it pays off
Be the ‘good girl’
Stay in one lane until it works
Depend on one income source
The stage mindset says:
Make yourself unmissable
Showcase your value on your terms
Create your own opportunities
Build a portfolio career
Diversify your income and influence
Be seen and heard
When you have your own stage, YOU control:
What you're known for
Who you work with
How you monetise your expertise
When and how you show up
You stop being one of many qualified candidates. You become the obvious choice.
Opportunities don't pass you by—they seek you out.
How To Start Building Your Unique ‘Stage’ This Week
Don’t worry, I’m not saying to quit your job or blow up your life. You just need to start thinking and acting differently.
Here are 3 ways to shift from ladder to stage:
1. Define what makes you unmistakably YOU
Stop trying to be "well-rounded” or to “blend in." Identify:
What you do better than almost anyone
What perspective only YOU can offer
What you want to be known for (not what you think you should be known for)
Write it down. This becomes the foundation of your stage.
2. Make one "stage move" this week
A "stage move" is anything that makes you more visible or valuable to the right people:
Post one strong opinion on LinkedIn
Reach out to someone you admire (no agenda, just connection)
Start documenting your wins and insights
Pitch yourself to speak, write, or advise somewhere
Share your expertise publicly (even if it feels weird)
Pick ONE. Do it before Friday.
3. Ask yourself: "Am I building equity or just collecting a salary?"
Building your stage means creating assets that outlast any single job:
Your reputation and personal brand
A network of genuine relationships
Intellectual property (frameworks, content, insights)
Multiple income streams
A body of work people can find and follow
If you're only collecting a salary, you're still on the ladder. Start building equity this month.
The Bottom Line
The ladder is old school— your stage is the future.
Your stage is your showcase platform of what makes YOU the 'go to' expert.
When you build your stage, you become sought-after. You attract opportunities instead of chasing them. You're in control of your career trajectory—regardless of what happens with AI, workplace shifts, or the economy.
The women who thrive in the next decade won't be the ones who climbed highest. They'll be the ones who built their own stages.
Start building yours today.
All my best,
Nichola ✨