What do a rifle, a pitchbook, and a P&L have in common?

They've all been part of my professional reinventions—from military to banking to CFO. And each new chapter came with its own dose of discomfort, doubt, and growth.

Reinventing yourself professionally isn't a one-time event—it's a muscle you build. I've had to flex it a few times: from military officer, to investment banker, to CFO.

Starting over means starting near the bottom

Each shift came with a dose of humility. No matter how senior you were in your last role, when you start over, you're often near the bottom of the totem pole. That was a tough pill to swallow when I left the armed forces to enter banking.

If you feel like a beginner again, it likely means you're learning something new—and valuable. The discomfort is the price of growth.

You may not be an expert yet, but your intelligence, experience, and emotional resilience come with you. Trust them. I still remember how terrifying Excel was to me as a new banker. I had used it before, sure—but not that way. For months, I was more comfortable with a loaded weapon (safety on) than I was with Ctrl+X.

Unlearning is harder than learning

And it's not just about learning new skills—it's about unlearning old habits. That's often harder. It took me years to learn how to say “no” in a professional setting. In the military, that's not really an option. But in the private sector, it sometimes is—and should be.

For the longest time, I couldn't refuse to help or take on another project, even when I was already underwater. Learning the norms of a new environment, while staying true to your values, is critical to making any transition both healthy and sustainable.

Leading a team you can't out-pay

Leaving banking for the corporate world was another challenge entirely. The needs of your team—around growth, recognition, and balance—are very different than what analysts and associates expect in banking. And you can't rely on high pay or fancy perks to drive performance.

So how do you build a high-performing team when you're not the company that pays the most?

You go back to what I learned as a young army officer: it's all about your people. If they know you care deeply, and you fight to get them what they need to succeed, they will follow you. If you take the time to truly listen, they'll tell you where the pain points are—and how to fix them.

And above all else, there's one golden rule I've carried through every reboot:

If it's a success, it's your team's. If it's a failure, it's yours.

If you're navigating a career shift, give yourself grace. Stay humble, stay curious, and keep listening. You may not feel like the expert yet—but every step forward builds the kind of depth that makes you indispensable.