Mid-career is often a transition point when planners move beyond primarily technical responsibilities into roles that require greater leadership, coordination, and strategic thinking. As day-to-day tasks shift toward managing teams, navigating organizational dynamics, influencing decision-making, and handling administrative responsibilities, mid-career planners have the opportunity to broaden their skill sets and grow into more impactful and well-rounded leaders. Yet, these evolving expectations do not always align neatly with formal promotion structures. This session explores how to intentionally bridge the gap between technical expertise and effective leadership, offering strategies to build influence, lead with authenticity, and shape impact beyond one's formal title or job description. Closed Captioning