Latest / The Internal Move Podcast with Fexingo: Lateral Roles, Internal Transfers, and Staying at Your Company / How an Internal Transfer Can Rebuild Your Confidence
Transcript
- Lucas: So, Luna, we've done 149 episodes of this show, and today we're hitting 150. I wanted to do something a little different — a bit more personal, psychologically focused. Luna: I'm all ears. What's the angle? Lucas: We've talked about transfers for escaping bad bosses, for building reputation, for negotiating better roles. But we've never really dug into what an internal transfer can do for your confidence. Specifically, how it can help you rebuild it after a major career setback. Luna: That's a real gap. And I bet a lot of listeners have been there — you fail at something, and suddenly you feel like you're walking around with a scarlet letter. Lucas: Exactly. So let's start with a specific story. I was talking to a marketing manager at a large consumer goods company — let's call her Priya. She'd been in her role for three years, and she led a major product launch that just flopped. The numbers were bad, the internal reviews were brutal, and she felt like her credibility was shot. Luna: Ouch. That's the kind of thing that follows you around in meetings. Lucas: It did. She told me that every time she walked into a room, she felt like everyone was remembering the launch. So she started thinking about leaving the company entirely. But a mentor suggested she consider an internal transfer instead — to a different business unit, a different function, even. Luna: And did she do it? Lucas: She did. She moved to a smaller, newer team within the company — something like a digital innovation group. And within six months, she said her confidence was completely different. Not because she forgot the failure, but because the new environment gave her a chance to redefine herself. Luna: It's like a career reset button. But why does that work psychologically? I mean, you're still at the same company, the same boss is still there, the same culture. Lucas: Right, and that's the key. It's not about escaping the company — it's about changing the context. Psychologists talk about 'self-efficacy' — your belief in your ability to succeed in specific situations. And that belief is heavily influenced by your environment. When you're in the same role, with the same peers, who saw you fail, your brain keeps reinforcing that story. Luna: So a transfer breaks that loop. Lucas: Exactly. In a new team, you're not automatically associated with the failure. People don't have a preconceived notion of you. You get to start fresh — and that's a powerful psychological reset. Priya said that within her first month, she was asked to lead a small project, and it went well. That early win was crucial. Luna: Early wins really are the best antidote to self-doubt. I remember reading a study that said it takes about three to five successes to counterbalance one big failure in your own mind. Lucas: That aligns with what I've seen. And it's not just about the wins themselves — it's about the feedback you get. In a new role, you're getting fresh, unbiased feedback from new colleagues. That can be incredibly validating. Priya told me that her new manager gave her specific, constructive feedback that helped her improve, and that felt more valuable than anything she'd received in the old role. Luna: So it's not just a change of scenery — it's a change of feedback loop. Lucas: Precisely. And that's why an internal transfer can be more effective than quitting and going to a new company, in some ways. Because you keep your networks, you keep your institutional knowledge, but you get to reset the narrative. Luna: But I imagine it's not always smooth. What about the risk of looking like you're running away from your failure? Lucas: That's a fair question. In Priya's case, she actually framed it as a strategic move in her conversations with HR and her new manager. She said, 'I've learned a lot from that launch, and I want to apply those lessons in a new context.' That reframe turned it from a retreat into a career development move. Luna: So it's about the story you tell. And I guess the story you tell yourself is just as important. Lucas: Absolutely. Your internal narrative shapes your behavior. If you keep telling yourself you're a failure, you'll act like one. A transfer can help you rewrite that narrative. You're not the person who failed at the launch — you're the person who learned from it and is now bringing that insight to a new team. Luna: That's a powerful shift. And I think for listeners who are considering a transfer for confidence reasons, what's the first step? Lucas: I'd say do an honest self-assessment. Ask yourself: what exactly is draining your confidence? Is it the role itself, the team, the manager, or the specific project? Because if it's the role itself, a transfer to a similar role won't help. But if it's the environment — the people, the culture, the type of work — then a lateral move can be transformative. Luna: And then what? You can't just walk into another department and say, 'I need a confidence boost.' Lucas: Right, you need to sell it as a value proposition. Priya identified a skill gap in the digital innovation group — they needed someone with her marketing experience to help them with go to market strategy. So she approached the hiring manager and said, 'I can bring this expertise, and I'm excited about the challenges you're facing.' That made her a candidate, not a charity case. Luna: That's smart. So you're not just taking a break — you're bringing something to the table. Lucas: Exactly. And once you're in the new role, you need to be deliberate about rebuilding confidence. Set yourself up for early wins. Pick projects where you have a high chance of success, even if they're small. Each success is a building block. Luna: And also ask for feedback early, right? Like, 'How am I doing?' Lucas: Yes. In the first few months, schedule regular check-ins with your manager and ask for specific feedback. Not just 'how am I doing?' but 'What could I do differently?' That shows you're open to growth and helps you course-correct before small issues become big ones. Luna: I love that. And I think there's something else: the power of a new peer group. In a new team, you have the chance to build new relationships, and those can be incredibly supportive. Lucas: Absolutely. Priya said that her new colleagues didn't know about the failed launch, so they didn't treat her with kid gloves. They just treated her as a competent professional. And that normalcy was exactly what she needed to start believing in herself again. Luna: It's like a fresh start without having to change companies. And that's a huge advantage — you keep your seniority, your benefits, your network. Lucas: Right. And it's also a signal to the company that you're committed — you're not jumping ship, you're finding a better fit internally. That can be a positive thing for your long-term trajectory. Luna: So for anyone who's been through a setback and is feeling stuck, what's your one piece of advice? Lucas: Don't confuse a temporary failure with a permanent identity. Your confidence is not fixed — it can be rebuilt. And an internal transfer might be the most practical and effective way to do that, because it gives you a new environment while keeping the stability of your current employer. Luna: That's a great note to end on. And speaking of rebuilding and investing in yourself — you know, this show is all about helping you make smart career moves. And if we've helped you think through a decision, or even just given you a new perspective, we'd be grateful if you considered supporting the show. Lucas: Yeah, it's a small way to keep this going ad-free. You can do that at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's a simple gesture that means a lot to us. Luna: And it really helps us keep bringing you these conversations. So thank you for considering that. Lucas: But back to confidence — you know, I think the biggest takeaway from Priya's story is that a transfer isn't just a job change; it's a mental reset. And that's something we should all keep in mind, whether we're recovering from a failure or just looking to grow. Luna: Absolutely. A fresh start can do wonders for your self-belief. Lucas: So if you're in that situation, take a look at what's available internally. You might find exactly the opportunity you need to rebuild and shine. Luna: And that's a wrap for episode 150. Thanks for being with us.