Technology moves fast, and at a high-growth company like [Kong Inc.](https://www.linkedin.com/company/konghq/)Kong Inc., opportunities emerge just as quickly. Since I joined as Chief People Officer less than a year ago, we have grown to over 600 Kongers! A year from now, who knows?

The real question is: How do you position yourself to thrive in an environment where the company — and the potential for career growth — is expanding at this crazy pace?

At our recent 2025 Sales Kickoff, I spoke with three standout Account Executives who have made major career leaps within Kong: [Thomas Charbon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-charbon-649916150/)Thomas Charbon , [Yasmine Ghandour](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmineghandour/)Yasmine Ghandour , and [David NunnTelfort](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidnunntelfort/)David NunnTelfort.

Each of them took very different paths, but the lessons they shared can apply to anyone looking to advance in a fast-moving organization. Here’s what I learned.

## 1. Win in the role you have before you chase the next one

David NunnTelfort didn’t start out in tech — far from it. He was a minister, first in the Midwest and then in Brooklyn, before making the leap into sales. “Flourish where you’re planted” — it’s easy to focus on what’s next,” he told me. “But the best way to get there is by crushing what’s in front of you.”

This is a common theme among top performers. Career growth doesn’t happen by simply wanting the next role — it happens when you excel at your current job so well that people can’t ignore you. Master the fundamentals. Learn everything you can. Become the person your team depends on. The best opportunities often come to those who prove they’re indispensable where they already are.

## 2. Promotions don’t just happen — you have to sell yourself

Yasmine Ghandour, who started at Kong just five days after graduating from King’s College London, takes a strategic approach to career growth. “Treat your career growth and promotions like a sales deal,” she said. “Build champions out of people and prove your value.”

This means being intentional about relationships. Yasmine didn’t wait for a promotion — she had conversations with leadership, demonstrated her skills, and made sure people knew she was ready for the next step. If you want to move up, make sure the right people see your work and understand the impact you bring to the organization.

## 3. Be vocal about what you want

David’s career shift wasn’t accidental. “If you want to grow into a new role, don’t keep it a secret,” he told me. “Let your manager and others know what you’re working toward. If you’re performing well, people will support you.”

This may seem obvious, but too many people assume their work will speak for itself. It won’t—not always. Be proactive. Have conversations with your manager and other leaders about where you see your career going. When opportunities open up, they should already know that you’re interested and capable.

## 4. Hard work and patience matter more than you think

Thomas Charbon had a clear goal when he joined Kong as a BDR: become an AE. “We are in a startup environment; things can change fast,” he said. “If you consistently show your value and work hard, opportunities will eventually be there.”

Tech moves quickly, but promotions don’t always happen overnight. Thomas focused on steady, sustained performance, building his reputation as a top performer while learning from the AEs around him. He knew that when the time was right, a track record of high-performance would put him over the top.

## 5. No one does it alone — leverage your community

Throughout our conversation, one theme kept coming up: community, “No matter what I needed — help on a deal, insight into a process, or just someone to gut-check an idea — there was always someone willing to help,” David said.

At Kong, we’ve seen firsthand how mentorship, peer support, and strong leadership accelerate careers. The best professionals don’t just work hard—they build relationships. They seek out advice. They learn from those around them. No one climbs the ladder alone.

## The biggest takeaway?

Thomas, Yasmine, and David didn’t advance their careers by blind luck. They worked hard, built relationships, and took ownership of their growth. These lessons aren’t just for sales. They apply to anyone looking to grow in a high-velocity, high-opportunity environment.

So if you’re thinking about what’s next in your career, ask yourself: Are you crushing the role you have today? Are you building the right champions? And most importantly, are you actively shaping your own path forward?

*Think you might have a future at Kong? Check out our *[*Careers*](https://konghq.com/company/careers)*Careers** page for more info. *