Month: October 2025

• As a Marine, I wanted to be a leader, so I chased promotions and rank.
• I even pushed myself so far physically to pass one exam and earn a promotion.
• I later learned true leadership has nothing to do with title.

When I enlisted in the Marines, I came in with no real expectations. I didn’t have a clear picture of what military life would be, but I had ambition. I wanted to be somebody with authority, the kind of Marine whose rank spoke before he did. I believed promotion was the key.

At first, I thought the promotion ladder would be straightforward: follow orders, work hard, and opportunities would open up. But the more I immersed myself in the system, the more I saw that my ambitions would collide with a tougher reality.

After pushing myself — both physically and mentally — to rise from private to corporal, I learned what it means to be a true leader.

The system first taught me hard truths

My specialty in the Marines was administration, so my work focused mainly on personal records management. Promotions in that area started off feeling fair. Show up on time, prove yourself, and you move up.

But as I advanced, the process became less predictable. It wasn’t just about individual performance anymore. Promotions depended on your job specialty, the number of available slots, and wide retention rates. The promotion system, like many institutions, wasn’t purely meritocratic. Timing, politics, and perception all played a role.

This realization made me push myself harder — sometimes, too far.

I pushed myself physically to get a quicker promotion

The most vivid challenge came when I was up for a meritorious board, which is an expedited promotion process for the rank of Lance Corporal. It required both a fitness test and a knowledge exam.

A week before, I twisted my foot badly and injured my hip in martial arts training. I could barely walk. My staff sergeant told me they were considering pulling me out because part of the exam involved running three miles.

For a moment, I was crushed, but I wasn’t willing to lose the chance. I told him that I’d figure it out. I then spent the week rehabbing as best I could. I got massages, did aquatic therapy, and stayed off my feet whenever possible. I didn’t go to the hospital; I leaned on the Marine recruiting slogan that pain was weakness leaving the body.

On test day, I still wasn’t close to healthy. I powered through the pull-ups and sit-ups with adrenaline, but the run was brutal. To reduce the impact, I chose to run on the grass instead of the pavement. The ground was damp, and that small difference allowed me to push forward. I crossed the line successfully, limping but refusing to quit.

Later, I marched into the boardroom for the evaluation, foot throbbing inside my tight shoes. My drills weren’t perfect, but I was sharp enough to pass. And I did.

That promotion was a personal milestone because I proved that I can overcome anything if I just push myself. But that lesson and new rank didn’t mean I was a true leader just yet.

I then learned there’s more to leadership than chasing promotions

One mentor I met in the service, Master Sergeant Pennington, changed how I saw leadership. He took me out for meals, asked about my family, and pushed me to go home when my grandmother died. He even gave me advice on relationships and finances, reminding me that being a Marine didn’t erase my personal responsibilities.

Over time, his actions taught me that leadership wasn’t about proving how tough or intimidating I could be. It was about building trust, listening, and creating stability for others. When Marines told me I brought calm when they expected chaos, I realized that kind of presence mattered more than any insignia.

Looking back, I see the gaps too. If I could do it over, I’d invest more in my personal life, instead of focusing solely on my career. I would’ve put some time to the side and focus on building my personal life.

In the end, climbing ranks taught me the value of ambition, but what stayed with me was humility, consistency, and resilience. Promotions are temporary. Policies can shift overnight. But how you carry yourself, how you treat people, and how you face adversity, those are the marks of leadership that last long after a promotion.

It’s been nearly a decade since Claudia Gough shopped fast fashion.

Instead, the 29-year-old public relations manager for Benefit Cosmetics has focused on investing in mindful, high-quality pieces that will last her a lifetime — or at least, longer than average.

Speaking with Business Insider, Gough, who lives in Australia, said she loves “the concept of micro-luxuries,” which she described as “small indulgences that don’t have to cost a fortune, but really enhance your day-to-day life.”

For Gough, that includes leather ballet flats, a personalized hairbrush, and even a fancy car air freshener.

“It’s taken years to build a wardrobe and home like this, and I definitely don’t take it for granted,” she said. “I’m very aware that these things aren’t necessities. But for me, they’re small moments of joy and self-care that genuinely fill my cup.”

Here’s what she recommends if you’re looking for the same daily feeling of delight.

A $630 cropped jacket and a $220 pair of Agolde jeans are staples of Gough’s wardrobe.

The tan, rhinestoned piece from Sandro Paris is one of Gough’s most frequently worn outerwear pieces.

“It’s structured, but versatile, and somehow works with everything, from denim to dresses,” she said.

Gough often pairs the piece with Agolde’s mid-rise, wide-leg Harper jeans in the shade dark denim.

“The cut is just unmatched,” she said. “They’re flattering, incredible quality, and the perfect shade of blue.”

Each pair features five pockets and is crafted from a blend of new and recycled cotton.

“When I shop, I look for timeless cuts, quality fabrics, and versatility,” Gough added. “If something works across seasons and outfits, it’s worth the investment.”

She splurges on “chic” cashmere socks.

Gough said Maggie Marilyn’s cashmere socks — which cost 95 Australian dollars, or about $63 — are “a tiny luxury that makes such a big difference in winter.”

“They’re warm and cozy, but still look chic,” she said.

The socks feature the logo of the sustainability-forward brand at each ankle, and they’re sold in brown and tan colorways.

“I love supporting Australian and New Zealand designers,” Gough said. “We’re so lucky here to have access to some of the best fashion in the world.”

To elevate her outfits, Gough wears $600 sunglasses.

Celine’s Triomphe Metal 01 sunglasses are the epitome of high quality, according to Gough. She’s had a pair for years and said they “instantly elevate any outfit.”

The oval-framed shades feature green-tinted lenses and gold metal frames. They’re expensive, yes, but they’re occasionally available secondhand.

“Not everything needs to be brand-new,” Gough said. “I love thrifting, and I regularly check Facebook Marketplace for home finds. Shopping mindfully doesn’t always mean shopping expensively.”

Most days, you can find Gough wearing designer ballet flats.

Loro Piana designs her favorite pair: the $950 Rebecca Ballet Flat.

“I wear them at least four times a week,” she said. “They go with everything.”

The calfskin shoes have rounded-point toes, suede interiors, and leather soles. They’re sold in four colors.

In her home, Gough uses checkered towels from Baina.

Baina says on its website that it aims to elevate bathing routines with texture and color using 100% organic cotton. According to Gough, that’s exactly what her favorite towels do.

She uses the $420 set in the sage and chalk colorway to add “subtle luxury” to her everyday routines.

Rather than using any old hairbrush, Gough likes a $100 option from Florietta.

The Australian brand specializes in elevated hair tools that are said to be long-lasting and sustainable. Gough is especially fond of the brand’s Signature Brush, which retails for $101.

“It has boar bristles, which have been amazing for scalp health and hair growth,” she said. “It also looks stunning on a vanity.”

Gough’s brush is personalized with her first name engraved in gold.

Gough said her car smells great thanks to a $120 air freshener.

Many people love Diptyque’s candles — but what about its car air fresheners? Gough is a fan.

She said she spends a lot of time driving and uses the brand’s $120 diffuser, which attaches to her car’s vents. It has an adjustable grill that changes the intensity of its scent and is said to last up to 40 hours.

Each additional insert retails for $70.