Image Source: Economic Times
Key highlights
A young executive recently shared her plight: being overwhelmed by increasingly demanding workloads while being unseen and underappreciated by her managers, particularly after a transition to hybrid work shook her confidence and induced self-doubt during meetings. Her quandary struck a chord with many—until author and entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo redirected the discussion with counsel now creating ripples on LinkedIn and in the workplace.
Warikoo's Reframe: You're Not Broken, You're Stuck
Warikoo reassured her she's neither quiet by nature nor broken; instead, she's "stuck in a story" that no longer works for her. He told her that her silence wasn't introversion but avoidance based on a fear of not being enough—a mentality that makes gifted professionals play small and hope that deference will translate to respect.
His seminal advice: Growth doesn't occur by remaining on the periphery. Employing the analogy, "Nobody ever learned how to swim by standing on the shore and watching others talk about the ocean," he exhorted the employee—like many who share such struggles—to wade into discomfort, participate fully, and break free from perfectionism.
Assertiveness Over Apology
Warikoo challenged the belief that saying yes to arbitrary deadlines or never speaking up is respectful. Instead, he stressed, consistent silence simply makes one invisible. Assertiveness—communicated respectfully—is key.
Instead of apologizing for "not knowing enough," he suggested writing down calm, clear replies: "I understand the urgency, but I'll need until X to do this well." It's this little act of boundary-setting, he said, that earns confidence and respect in the long run.
Big Picture: The Power to Quit—Or to Pivot For people who are contemplating "quiet quitting" or actual resignation, Warikoo has always preached that quitting, when something no longer aligns with your well-being or your goals, is not failure but growth and clarity. Winners do know when to move on from toxic or unfulfilling situations.
But his counsel also points to the strength of rewriting one's own story and taking back control—beginning with self-respect, healthy boundaries, and the ability to speak out.
Warikoo's journey is a timely roadmap for any person stifled in a high-stress career: know your value, move outside of self-doubt, and author a narrative that puts your evolution and peace of mind first.
Sources: Economic Times, LinkedIn (Ankur Warikoo), Bingepods Podcast
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