Episode 06 -The Early Advantage with Maninder Kaur Madaan

The Early Advantage is the essential podcast for ambitious professionals navigating the first phase of their careers. We go beyond the obvious advice to help you decode the unwritten rules of the workplace. If you want to learn how to read between the lines—from deciphering your manager's feedback to navigating tricky office politics and understanding corporate culture—this is the show for you. In each conversation, we share actionable insights and unfiltered stories from leaders and experts who have been there, done that. Stop guessing and start building your career with confidence. What's the secret to getting ahead in your first few years at work? You're told to work hard and master new skills. But the real game-changer is something that’s never written in the employee handbook. If you're in the first 5 years of your career, this is for you. In my conversation with Maninder, a few lessons I took away: → Do the job well. Then build your edge. Good work gets you credibility. Your distinctive strengths build your professional brand. → Don't wait to be 100% ready. Get feedback early. Share the draft. Test the thinking. Perfecting something nobody has seen is a very efficient way to waste time. → Speak up—even when you're the least senior person in the room. Respecting hierarchy doesn't mean switching off your point of view. → Reinvention doesn't mean starting from zero. Every new chapter builds on something you've already learned. Carry the strengths forward. → Curiosity has a longer shelf life than expertise. Especially when technology and jobs are changing faster than most career plans. And perhaps my favourite practical takeaway: Plan on Sunday.