March/April, 2026  

It’s Your Career, You Direct It!

Kay Fittes, April, 2026

Waiting for your manager to map your future is the most expensive mistake you can make.  The second most expensive is continuing to languish under the spell of your parents, teachers, guidance counselor, or anyone else from your past.  No one knows better than you how you really tick, how you really work, what culture is a good fit for you, what could make you hate your job.  None of this means your manager doesn’t matter.  A great manager can open doors, advocate for you, and accelerate your growth in ways that are genuinely powerful.

[Read More]

Kay’s Consulting Corner

Each month in this section, Kay offers actionable career consulting tips.

The Directing Quick Start Plan

It’s critical that you move from knowledge to action!  That’s what Kay’s Corner is all about, taking some quick action to get the directing process going.  If you start with these three steps, you will likely see what subsequent moves may be necessary.

1. Create a Vision:  Write your 3-year career vision this week.  Don’t edit it for realism.  Write what you actually want, in as much detail as you can.  It’s OK to do some dreaming.  Heck, maybe it’s been a very long time since you let yourself dream.  Title it.  Name it.  Own it.  This single act shifts you from drifter to director.  Don’t worry about making this pretty, it’s only for you right now.
   
   
2. Create Your Board:  Identify one person who could be a sponsor for you – not a mentor, a sponsor: someone with enough influence to advocate for you when you’re not in the room.  Make a plan to strengthen that relationship in the next 30 days.  Perhaps send them an article they would appreciate.  Send them a genuine compliment on some action they have taken in the workplace.
   
   
3. Create The Conversation:  Schedule a career conversation with your manager.  Don’t wait for your annual review.  Request 30 minutes specifically to discuss your development and where you want to go.  Yes, it could feel anxiety provoking but do it anyway.  Come prepared with specifics – what you’ve accomplished and where you want to be headed.
   

If you have always left your career direction to chance this will likely be out of your comfort zone.  Ask any of my clients, they will tell you that one of my super powers is partnering with clients to lead, nudge, and gently push them out of their comfort zone.  Let’s do a complimentary 45-minute consultation to see if we could turn you into a director!  Email kay@highheeledsuccess.com or call (513) 561-4288 and we will get you scheduled.

Testimonial: Kim Ginn

I have been attending Kay Fittes’ presentations for over 20 years.  Being a presenter myself, I am always amazed how Kay can connect with the audience and deliver a concise and clear presentation with no PowerPoint or notes in hand.  Her ability to engage the audience with her storytelling and humor and then be able to quickly adapt as needed based on the participants’ needs has made her a presenter that 4C for Children has relied on for over two decades.

Kay’s confidence in herself and her expertise in the subject matter allows her to present in an authentic style that captivates her audience and allows them to feel comfortable participating in her interactive presentations.  Her energy keeps participants engaged and wanting more!  After each session of Kay’s that I have attended – which I believe is now more than 20! – I walk away feeling inspired, informed and ready to take the next steps to being a better leader and person.

Kay’s professionalism and passion have been an inspiration to me.  I credit her for where I am professionally, serving as the Chief Program Officer of 4C for Children.  She is easy to work with and is timely in her communication.  Kay is always a pleasure to work with and that’s why 4C will continue to have Kay as a presenter for many years to come!

Kim Ginn
Chief Program Officer
2100 Sherman Ave., #300 | Cincinnati, OH 45212 | 513-758-1220
email | website | facebook | twitter | instagram

High-Heeled Success^® supports Dress for Success through donations of clothing, time and money.  We offer complimentary seats at every workshop for women participating in the Dress for Success program.

Share This Newsletter With Others:

Please take a moment and share this with your friends and colleagues who you think might benefit.

Find Us Here:

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on X (Twitter)

Watch us on YouTube

Connect with us on LinkedIn

See us on Instagram

Contact Info:

Website:  https://highheeledsuccess.com

Email:  kay@highheeledsuccess.com

Phone:  (513) 561-4288

© Copyright 2026.  Kay Fittes.  All Rights Reserved.