The Customer Success Pro Podcast The Journey of a Customer Success Pro: From CSM to VP
Sep 24, 2025
Anika Zubair shares her inspiring journey from Customer Success Manager to Vice President in just seven years. She highlights common pitfalls that keep professionals stuck, like relying on tenure and avoiding risk. Anika encourages embracing leadership roles early and seeking environments that foster growth. She stresses the importance of visibility and self-promotion using tools like the CS Promotion Tracker. Listeners are challenged to identify bold career moves and understand that tangible proof of impact is key to advancing in their careers.
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Rapid Career Progression
- Anika moved from sales into customer success and committed to the career quickly.
- Within seven years she progressed from individual contributor to global VP of Customer Success.
Impact Beats Tenure
- Tenure does not guarantee promotion; impact does.
- Leaders promote people who demonstrate they can operate at the next level, not just those who have stayed longest.
Show Measurable Impact
- Do stop relying on time served and instead show measurable impact.
- Track outcomes and revenue influence to prove leadership readiness.