When no one has done it before you, youre not just doing the jobyoure figuring out the rules in real time. You rent your job title, but you own your narrative. Summary: What if the reason you feel behind at work isnt you? Most first-generation professionals enter corporate spaces without a roadmapnavigating unwritten rules, hidden expectations, and systems that were never designed to be transparent. In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, I sit down with Fadjanie CadetChief Change Experience Officer and organizational strategistto break down the rules no one teaches you at work. We talk about: The influence of her first gen Haitian American backgroundWhy merit alone isnt enoughThe power of visibility, relationships, and self-advocacyThe mindset shift from what am I missing? to what is the system failing to make clear?How to own your narrative and move with intentionFadjanie shares how her first-generation experience shaped the way she leads, builds, and navigates corporate spacesand why community is more than support, its infrastructure. If youve ever felt like you were learning the rules too late or questioning whether you belong, this episode will shift how you see yourselfand the system. Because you were never behind. You were building without a blueprint. Keywords: First-Generation, Workplace Politics, Unwritten Rules, Black Women in Corporate, Corporate, Career Pivot, Layoff, Networking, Immigrant, Self-Advocacy, Career Growth, Visibility, Community Takeaways: First-generation professionals often navigate workplaces without access to unwritten rules and insider knowledge Corporate success is not purely merit-basedvisibility, relationships, and perception matter Many early career gaps are structural, not personal Self-advocacy and storytelling are critical to career growth Building a clear narrative around your impact is essential for advancement Networking is not transactionalits community and access to opportunity Organizations often rely on implicit knowledge, creating barriers to fairness Disruption (like layoffs) can be an opportunity to redefine your identity and value Your job title is temporaryyour skills, perspective, and impact are not Authenticity and ownership of your experience are key to long-term success Chapter Summary: 00:00 Episode Introduction & Guest Overview 03:00 First-Gen Upbringing & Early Identity 08:00 Responsibility, Pressure & Parenting Perspectives 12:00 Early Career Lessons & Meritocracy Myth 15:00 Self-Advocacy & Building a Business Case 18:00 Reframing Structural vs. Personal Gaps 20:00 Workplace Design & Implicit Rules 24:00 Networking, Community & Career Access 26:00 First-Gen Identity in Corporate Spaces 28:00 Finding Language for Lived Experience 30:00 Layoffs, Identity & Career Disruption 32:00 Owning Your Narrative & Career Value 34:00 Black Women & Workforce Shifts 37:00 Staying Grounded Through Uncertainty 39:00 Authenticity & Career Growth 41:00 Redefining Ambition & Success 43:00 Closing & Final Reflections Get in Touch with Fadjanie: LinkedIn: Fadjanie Cadet Email: Fadjaniecadet@meettheccxo.com Website: www.meettheccxo.com Thanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition and @glamourgirlniya If you have episode ideas, questions for me, or would like to be featured as a guest send me an email, niya@blkgirlambition.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
