Five years ago, Silvia Stepitova boarded a plane to Seattle for a new role at Amazon, but instead of feeling excited, she was gripped by fear. Despite her successful career as a lawyer and tax professional in Slovakia, she felt like an outsider—her team was made up of everyone but her. Alone, overwhelmed, and questioning if she could fit in, Silvia could hardly imagine that in a few years, she’d become a sought-after corporate strategist.
Fast forward to today: Silvia has led projects that revolutionized Amazon’s contract management, gained recognition in The Wall Street Journal, and earned accolades from senior leaders. But her biggest win? Turning her own struggle with self-doubt into a mission to help others thrive in remote roles through her program, Corporate Success Lounge and membership.
In this Women On Topp feature, Silvia opens up about how she transformed from a quiet, unsure newcomer into a visible, influential leader. She shares the strategies that made her stand out, the mistakes professionals make when working remotely, and how anyone can take control of their career and make their mark.
Let’s dive into her story.
Can you share a specific moment when you realized you had to change your approach to stand out at Amazon?
When I joined Amazon, I was stepping into a massive organization as the only person from Slovakia—and the entire EU—on my team. I was excited but also intimidated, and I initially believed that if I worked hard enough, my efforts would automatically be recognized. I soon realized that wasn’t the case.
After spending time with my team in the U.S., I returned to Slovakia and started working remotely. Suddenly, I felt isolated and invisible. While my colleagues collaborated in person, I struggled to stay on their radar from a different continent. I realized that simply delivering great work wasn’t enough—I had to be intentional about making my work visible.
I started proactively updating my managers, sharing insights before they were requested, and ensuring my work was visible across teams. Over time, I went from feeling overlooked to becoming a recognized, sought-after contributor. That shift completely changed how I approached career growth in a remote environment.
How did imposter syndrome manifest for you in those early days, and how did you overcome it?
In those early days at Amazon, imposter syndrome showed up as constant self-doubt and a feeling that I didn’t truly belong. I would second-guess myself in meetings, hesitating to speak up because I worried my ideas weren’t good enough. I’d overprepare for presentations, convinced that I had to work twice as hard just to prove I deserved my place. And even when I succeeded, I found it hard to celebrate my accomplishments—I would attribute them to luck.
One defining moment came when I realized that staying silent or waiting for validation wasn’t helping my confidence or career. I started preparing key points for meetings and making sure I speak up during each meeting. I also started tracking my wins—big and small. This helped me build a tangible sense of my value, rather than relying on external validation. It wasn’t an overnight change, but those small, consistent actions slowly shifted my mindset and gave me the confidence to own my contributions.
How has the background as a lawyer and tax professional influenced the way you navigate corporate world?
My background in law and tax taught me to think critically, approach challenges with precision, and develop a solutions-oriented mindset. Both fields demand strong communication skills—whether breaking down complex concepts for stakeholders or negotiating across teams—which has been invaluable in navigating corporate environment.
Working on a global tax team also exposed me to diverse perspectives and strengthened my ability to anticipate risks and collaborate effectively. These skills have helped me take on complex, high-visibility initiatives, such as the Generative AI project that received coverage in The Wall Street Journal. These experiences have given me a unique perspective on corporate life, allowing me to navigate challenges with confidence, communicate effectively, and drive impactful results.
What inspired you to launch the Corporate Success Lounge, and what gap in the market does it fill?
Corporate Success Lounge was born from my own experience navigating the challenges of a global corporate role while working remotely. I struggled with being recognized for my contributions, maintaining work-life balance, and staying productive in a demanding environment—challenges many remote professionals face without accessible, actionable resources.
Seeing how my own career transformed once I developed strategies to gain confidence, stand out, and stay productive inspired me to create the resource I wish I had. While many tools exist for remote work, they often overlook the human side—visibility, self-assurance, and overcoming imposter syndrome. At the same time, corporate training programs tend to focus on leadership, leaving early- and mid-career professionals without tailored support.
Corporate Success Lounge fills this gap, offering practical strategies to help ambitious professionals grow their careers while maintaining balance and avoiding burnout.
What are the most common mistakes professionals make when trying to stand out in a remote corporate environment?
A common mistake is assuming hard work will automatically get noticed. In a remote environment, visibility isn’t guaranteed, so actively communicating your contributions is crucial. Neglecting relationships is another pitfall—strong connections with colleagues and managers are just as important remotely as in the office. Without them, professionals miss opportunities for mentorship and growth.
Remote work often blurs the lines between personal and professional life, and professionals who feel the need to be ‘always available’ risk burnout. Learning to set clear boundaries helps maintain productivity and well-being. Lastly, standing out requires proactivity—sharing ideas, volunteering for projects, and sending updates demonstrate leadership and help build influence, even from a distance.
What are the top three strategies you teach for gaining visibility and influence in a large organization?
The first strategy is proactive communication. Many professionals assume their work will speak for itself, but in a large organization, actively sharing progress, challenges, and achievements is key to gaining recognition and building trust with managers.
The second strategy is intentional participation in meetings. Preparing key points in advance and contributing early demonstrates confidence and positions you as someone who adds value. It’s not about speaking the most—it’s about consistently showing up with meaningful input.
The third strategy is building a personal brand. Visibility isn’t just about what you do but how others perceive you. Consistently demonstrating your strengths—whether problem-solving, creativity, or leadership—helps establish you as a go-to person in your field and ensures your contributions are recognized.
How do you see corporate culture evolving in the next five years, and what should professionals do to stay ahead?
Corporate culture is evolving rapidly, driven by hybrid work, new technologies, and a focus on employee well-being. To stay ahead, professionals need to focus on adaptability, visibility, and continuous learning.
Thriving in hybrid environments requires strong self-management and setting boundaries to avoid burnout. At the same time, technologies like AI and automation are reshaping workplaces, making it crucial to upskill in areas like critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
Finally, building strong relationships and a personal brand will remain key. Professionals who embrace change, actively seek opportunities, and position themselves as valuable contributors will be best positioned to thrive in the evolving workplace.
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