“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
—Robert Frost
There’s something about those lines from Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken that have stayed with me since the first time I read them like a quiet whisper reminding me that growth often lies in the unfamiliar.
When I was younger, I probably interpreted the poem as a romantic ode to individuality, to bravely walking your own path. But as I’ve grown both personally and professionally, I’ve come to see it as something deeper: a meditation on choice, uncertainty, and the courage it takes to move forward when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
I remember a moment early in my career when this poem came flooding back to me. I had been offered a position that didn’t quite fit the linear path I thought I was supposed to follow. It was a stretch role, in a new city, with people I didn’t know and responsibilities that scared me a little (or maybe a lot). The safer route, staying where I was felt logical, comfortable, known.
But I kept thinking about Frost’s words. And something in me knew that the “less traveled” road though uncertainty, held more room for learning, challenge, and transformation.
So I took it.
And yes, it was hard. I stumbled, questioned myself, and had to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated. But looking back now, that decision was a turning point. It gave me experiences I never would have had otherwise, and it opened doors that have shaped who I am today not just in my career, but in how I lead, coach, and support others through change.
In executive coaching, I often meet high-performing professionals at their own crossroads. The decision might be about a career move, a leadership challenge, or simply whether to change the way they show up in their role. What I’ve learned and what Frost so beautifully captures is that there’s rarely a clear “right” path. There’s only the path we choose, and what we’re willing to learn along the way.
Taking the road less traveled isn’t about being reckless or different for the sake of it. It’s about honoring your values, trusting your instincts, and embracing the discomfort that often accompanies real growth.
So if you find yourself standing at a fork in the road wondering whether to stay safe or take a leap, pause for a moment. Tune into that quiet inner voice. And ask yourself: What would it mean for me to take the path that leads to growth, even if it’s unfamiliar?
That one choice, however small it may seem now, might just make all the difference.
I remember a moment early in my career when this poem came flooding back to me. I had been offered a position at a fledgling university an institution still in its formative years, full of potential but lacking the established reputation and stability of where I was currently working. At the time, I was at a prestigious, well-established university. The path there was clear, respected, and predictable.
Choosing to leave that for something untested felt risky. The new role would mean stepping into ambiguity, working with a new team in a place that was still defining itself. The safer route staying where I was felt logical, comfortable, known. But I kept thinking about Frost’s words.
I remember a moment early in my career when this poem came flooding back to me. I had been offered a position at a fledgling university an institution still in its formative years, full of potential but lacking the established reputation and stability of where I was currently working. At the time, I was at a prestigious, well-established university. The path there was clear, respected, and predictable.
Choosing to leave that for something untested felt risky. The new role would mean stepping into ambiguity, working with a new team in a place that was still defining itself. The safer route, staying where I was felt logical, comfortable, known. But I kept thinking about Frost’s words.
And I can honestly say: taking that risk paid off. The six years I spent at that institution were some of the most dynamic and formative of my career. I experienced a level of growth that might have taken fifteen years elsewhere. It was a time of real learning, stretch, and leadership development exactly the kind of professional evolution I didn’t know I needed, but that has shaped everything I’ve done since.