01-04-2025
Show Your Worth: Unlocking Transformational Success with Shelmina Abu
Shelmina Abji is the founder of a platform where you can ask Abji questions about your career and gain insight into the essential steps you need to take in your life to reach the goals you're setting for yourself. The development of the platform came after the release of Abji's book Show Your Worth and showcases Abji's dedication to helping women excel.
In her MAKERS MasterClass, Abji ignited a powerful conversation about what it truly takes to move beyond incremental progress and step into transformational success. She shared the essential skills, mindset shifts, and strategies women need to not only advance in their careers—but to own their worth every step of the way.
'My purpose in life is singularly focused. I want to advance gender equality in leadership roles. I want to ensure women are present in every room,' she advocated. She detailed how being an immigrant in the United States shaped her mentality at the start of her career at IBM. Abji found herself learning how to not be replaceable, which came with doing everything that was expected of her to be seen as a good worker.
But, an interaction with visiting IBM executive, Susan Whitney would challenge and shift how Abji approached the rest of her career. When Whitney asked Abji where she saw her career going in five years, Abji expressed wanting to do well in her current role. Whitney responded to Abji's sentiments explaining, 'It is critical you do your best possible job in your current role. And it is equally critical to know where you wanna go next and next. You have so much potential.' In the MAKERS MasterClass, Abji stressed how this response motivated her to reconstruct the direction her career was going in, transforming into the person she is now.
Transformational Success Isn't Doing Only What's Expected of You
Experiencing growth means moving away from the place that feels comfortable. Incremental success is a phase where you're focused on being a good worker rather than taking on the challenges and opportunities that will positively alter your career, and bring you to a period of transformational success. Abji emphasized that to find growth in your career you have to take on assignments that scare you to 'accelerate.' Overcoming fear is essential and something Abji has addressed in her TEDx Talk, she believes facing the fears that keep you from speaking up or expanding your horizons will only keep you in the good worker mindset. 'Take a chance, aim high' is a phrase Abji utilized to encourage the audience to imagine who they can be if they removed the internal restrictions they've put on themselves and their future goals.
Defining Your Success
Being intentional about how you're defining your success will create the outline of steps you'll need to take to achieve your goal. Abji advised that daily success is achieved through creating and following a personal success plan for 18 months. 'It takes everyday actions," she said.
With intentionality also comes strategy. These are two things that have to go hand-in-hand to have your goals and plans be fully realized. This comes with asking for what you want and not waiting on someone to hand it to you. Abji described how promotions don't come looking for you, you have to put in the work to achieve that crucial next step. Alongside the personal success plan, knowing how to prioritize what deserves your attention will help keep you focused and energized. Abji detailed, 'Say no to lesser priorities,' adding, 'You determine what deserves your attention.'
Abji also discussed the role of the power quotient to your success. The capacity to respond constructively to negative stimuli in the workplace is referred to as the power quotient. 'Take your power and show your worth,' Abji said. Getting to your goals means building up your confidence and competence. Learning how to navigate disempowering or scary situations means challenging yourself to arrive at the growth you'd like to see in yourself.
The Mindset for Your Personal Success
Your mindset is a crucial part of achieving your daily success. Abji discussed the importance of recognizing the difference between reflecting on self-improvement and self-criticism. "No one achieves greatness through self-criticism," she wisely stated. "Focus on and amplify your wins." Reflection is a tool for learning and course-correcting, not dwelling on mistakes. Remember, Abji commented, "People and situations don't define you," and all setbacks are merely temporary bumps on your road to success.
—
This article was written by Suzanne Bagia, a journalist, focusing on culture and arts. Outside of her writing, she works in other roles within media and managing literary editorials.
