One of the most defining turning points in my career came when I accepted a role I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready for. At the time, I didn’t have 100 percent of the experience or answers the job required, and that uncertainty was uncomfortable. As a woman, I think many of us hesitate to step into opportunities unless we feel fully prepared. We wait until we can check every box, often holding ourselves to a higher standard than others. This time, instead of waiting, I chose to take the risk.
That decision pushed me well outside my comfort zone. I had to learn quickly, adapt constantly, and accept that I would make mistakes along the way. And I did—many of them. Early on, I struggled with confidence, decision-making, and learning how to lead people effectively while still finding my footing. What I came to realize is that mistakes weren’t signs of failure; they were essential moments of growth. Each misstep taught me something new—how to pause before reacting, how to listen more deeply, and how to ask for help without seeing it as a weakness.
Taking a step back at times and reflecting on what wasn’t working ultimately helped me become a stronger people leader. I learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating trust, being transparent, and staying grounded when things feel uncertain. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.
Working in HR has only reinforced that perspective. Over the past six years, our organization has experienced significant change—organizational shifts, evolving business priorities, and difficult people decisions. Navigating these moments has never been easy, but each challenge taught me how to balance empathy with realism, and optimism with honesty. I learned how to lead through ambiguity, remain steady during hard conversations, and support others even when the path forward wasn’t clear.
Looking back, that initial leap into a role I wasn’t fully prepared for changing how I see risk and growth. It taught me that confidence is built through experience, not perfection. Taking that chance didn’t just advance my career—it reshaped how I lead, how I learn, and how I show up during the most challenging moments.
—Jennifer Clark, VP of HR, iFIT
