From Associate to Leader: Jade Bonacolta’s Bold Path to Career Acceleration
Jade Bonacolta’s career trajectory is a standout success story. In just six and a half years at LinkedIn, she earned five promotions before moving to Google in 2022. Her secret? Clarity and confidence — all sparked by two key questions she posed to her manager: “What are my responsibilities at my current level?” and “How would they change one level up?”
Speaking to Business Insider, Bonacolta revealed that these questions became her personal growth map. She understood that promotions often follow after someone starts operating at the next level. With that mindset, she didn’t wait for the next role — she started performing it.
While working as an associate on the sales productivity team, Bonacolta went beyond her expected duties. She not only created presentations for stakeholders but also took the initiative to present them to senior leadership — a move uncommon for someone at her level.
That proactive behavior paid off. Her work began to resemble that of a manager’s, gaining attention from senior executives who were surprised to learn she was still an associate. This visibility and initiative fueled her promotions one after another.
However, Bonacolta also urges professionals not to chase promotions blindly. “You want to feel inspired,” she says, adding that growth without interest can lead to burnout. Staying grounded in your current responsibilities while reaching upward is key.
She shared four essential tips for those aiming for similar growth:
- Get clear on role expectations. Speak with your manager about what’s expected at your level and beyond.
- Show, don’t wait. Take initiative and start demonstrating next-level work.
- Align with your passion. Choose a path that genuinely excites you to avoid burnout.
- Don’t forget the present. Even as you aim higher, your current responsibilities matter.
Now at Google, Bonacolta continues to apply these principles. She focuses on excelling in her primary role before engaging in side projects, such as Google’s 20% time initiative.
Her story is a compelling reminder: growth doesn’t come from waiting to be noticed — it comes from showing you’re already ready for the next step.
