Welcome to today's episode of A Life Engineered! If you've ever wondered what separates junior professionals from senior ones, you’re not alone. Today, we’re diving into an eye-opening piece from A Life Engineered on Substack, where the author—an experienced Amazon engineer—breaks down seven key behaviors that differentiate juniors from seniors. Sure, technical skills matter, but as the article reveals, advancement comes from how you work, not just what you know. From bringing solutions instead of just problems to proactively owning career growth, these behaviors determine who earns that next promotion. The best part? You don’t need permission to start acting like a senior today. Let’s break it down!

Key Takeaways:

• Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems – Juniors escalate issues up the chain, while seniors show up with solutions and recommendations before asking for input.
• Proactive Status Updates – Juniors wait to be asked for updates, but seniors broadcast progress, roadblocks, and next steps before anyone has to ask.
• Helping Others Grow – Juniors focus on their own learning, while seniors lift up the team by documenting insights and mentoring colleagues.
• Think in Terms of Business Impact – Seniors connect their tasks to business goals and strategic priorities, rather than just completing assignments.
• Embrace Ambiguity – Juniors hesitate in unclear situations; seniors start with known factors and make progress while clarifying the unknowns.
• Take Ownership of Career Growth – Instead of waiting for bigger responsibilities, seniors identify opportunities and proactively take on new challenges.
• Choose Pragmatism Over Perfection – Instead of insisting on a full refactor, seniors focus on incremental improvements that allow for business progress.

And here’s the kicker: as the author puts it, "Your behavior determines your actual level of seniority, not your title.” So, why wait? Start acting like a senior today, and the promotions will follow.

If you enjoyed this breakdown, consider checking out the full article on A Life Engineered, where the author shares even more career wisdom!
Link to Article