After more than five years in recruitment, and over two of those with BROOK, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside professionals at every stage of their careers. In that time, I’ve witnessed the highs of new opportunities, the challenges of career transitions, and the misconceptions that often cloud people’s understanding of what “growth” really looks like.

It’s easy to assume growth is a straight upward climb: promotions, bigger salaries, and loftier job titles. While those milestones can absolutely be part of the journey, growth is far broader and much more personal than a new title on your email signature.

But, what does growth actually mean?

1. Growth isn’t always linear.
Sometimes it looks like stepping sideways to gain new skills, broadening your scope before moving up. Lateral moves can be just as valuable as vertical ones when they help you build resilience and adaptability.

2. Growth is about skill development, not just titles.
Expanding your knowledge, mastering new systems, or developing leadership qualities are all growth markers. These skills often prepare you for opportunities long before the title comes.

3. Growth is recognising your capacity.
It’s learning how to balance ambition with sustainability, managing your energy, setting boundaries, and working in ways that allow you to thrive both professionally and personally.

4. Growth is about mindset.
The ability to receive feedback, adapt to change, and approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear is often what sets truly successful professionals apart.

In recruitment, we often work with candidates who feel they aren’t progressing fast enough and are eager for more ‘growth’, when in reality, they’re experiencing meaningful growth every day, through the projects they take on, the relationships they build, and the confidence they develop in themselves.

True growth isn’t always shiny or immediate. Sometimes it’s slow and steady, sometimes it’s a leap forward, but it always comes from building on what you’ve learned before.



For anyone reflecting on their career, my advice is this: don’t limit your definition of growth to titles and promotions. Look at the bigger picture - the skills you’ve gained, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the person you’ve become along the way. That’s what growth really means.