Paper, Perception, and the Will to Rise

Author

Ed Clementi
January 27, 2025

It was a marker. A turning point. When I was promoted to Vice President at Morgan Stanley, it wasn’t just a new title—it was validation that the years of effort, resilience, and climbing uphill were paying off. For someone who started as an Executive Assistant, it felt monumental. I had crossed into a space I had always aspired to—a space that, by traditional expectations, seemed out of reach for someone with my starting point.

A Moment That Lingers

But one day, not long after that promotion, I returned to the floor where I spent my time as an assistant. I wanted to visit old colleagues, to reconnect with the people I’d shared countless days and late nights with. At first, it was a victory lap. Everyone was congratulatory, telling me how proud they were and how far I’d come. The energy was high—I felt acknowledged for my growth and achievements. Then, as I turned the corner, I ran into someone I’d worked closely with back in my admin days.

We chatted briefly, catching up about family and life. Just as we were about to part ways, he gestured toward the printer and said, “Ed, the printer over there needs paper.”

In that moment, I was stunned. It felt like the air had been knocked out of me. I’d gone from conversations about my rise, my potential, my future… to being seen through the lens of who I once was. It wasn’t malicious. It wasn’t intentional. But it stung deeply. It reminded me of the biases and assumptions people often carry—how some can’t quite see past where you started, no matter how far you’ve climbed.

Rising Above Assumptions

I felt my confidence waver. Was that how he still saw me? Had I not done enough to prove myself? Was there something about my journey that made me easier to overlook? In those few seconds, all the pride I’d carried felt diminished.

But then, I took a breath and responded politely: “Oh, we haven’t caught up in a while, but since working here, I’ve done this and that and was recently promoted to VP. I’m so grateful for this firm giving me such amazing opportunities.” He quickly apologized, congratulated me, and the conversation moved on. But the moment stayed with me.

Why? Because it wasn’t just about the comment. It was about what it represented. The moment felt like a crossroads: I could let it pull me back into doubt, or I could use it as fuel to keep going, to ensure that I would never again feel unseen for who I’d become.

This wasn’t the first time someone had underestimated me, and it wouldn’t be the last. I’d spent years working alongside colleagues who had been recruited straight out of the world’s top universities, earning more at younger ages. Many of them came into the room with an air of confidence I didn’t always feel, because my path had been different. I’d had to learn as I went, hustling and grinding to prove my worth. But what I’d learned—and what this moment reinforced—was that people’s assumptions don’t define you. Your actions do. Your results do.

Fueled by moments like this, I didn’t stop at Vice President. I continued to push forward, ultimately rising to the level of Global Managing Director. Each promotion wasn’t just about the title but about using my journey to inspire and create opportunities for others who might feel underestimated or boxed in. Moments like that one by the printer didn’t just shape my path—they fueled my determination to ensure others never felt unseen or overlooked.

Lessons from the Journey

Here’s what I took from that moment—lessons I believe anyone, no matter where they are in their journey, can learn from:

1. People will try to box you in. Don’t stay there.
No matter what you achieve, there will always be someone who can’t see beyond your starting point. That’s their limitation, not yours. It’s important to stay grounded in your own growth and not let their perceptions define your trajectory.

2. Remember your milestones.
Moments like these can knock you off balance, but they’re also an opportunity to remind yourself how far you’ve come. Reflect on the journey, the milestones you’ve hit, and the grit it took to get there. Confidence comes from owning your story.

3. Make it impossible to ignore you.
After that encounter, I doubled down on my commitment to show up, deliver results, and take on initiatives with greater exposure. I wanted to be so visible, so impactful, that no one could forget what I’d accomplished or question what I was capable of. Not to prove them wrong, but to prove myself right.

4. Don’t make assumptions about others.
That moment also taught me the power of truly seeing people. It’s easy to let first impressions or old memories dictate how we perceive someone, but as leaders, it’s our job to listen, to ask questions, and to recognize who someone is today, not who they used to be.

Owning Your Story

Looking back now, I realize that moment by the printer wasn’t just a challenge—it was a gift. It fired me up. But over time, I learned that the only person I really needed to prove something to was myself.

So, if you’ve ever felt boxed in by someone else’s perception, remember this: You are more than where you started. You are the sum of your choices, your resilience, and your willingness to keep going.

Don’t let anyone dim your light or define your story. Own it. And keep writing it.

With Absolute Sincerity,

Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC

Make an Impact.  Feel an Impact.