I’ve worked at a number of different companies including private businesses, bootstrapped startups, venture round start-ups, and pre-IPO startups. And I’ve worked at these companies in a variety of capacities: recruiting, sales, and account management. Along the way, I’ve noticed the same few situational factors influence employee performance at work.Continue Reading
When people see the word “introvert,” they often think of qualities that don’t actually describe introverted people at all. “Shy.” “Quiet.” Even “antisocial.” But how we have grown to think of introverts has strayed far from realities. In fact, according to Dictionary.com, is “a person characterized by concern primarily with hisContinue Reading
If you’re anything like I am, you have mixed feelings about New Year’s resolutions. It seems like a natural time to make important changes. It’s like a universal pressing of the “reset” button. Maybe that’s why 41% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions in the first place. But here’s theContinue Reading
Is there someone (or hopefully, several someones) at your company who it seems like everyone wants to work with? Maybe they always get pulled into brainstorms, or maybe your team’s leaders consult with them. Or maybe it just seems like everyone on your team just really, really likes them. ItContinue Reading
Most job seekers’ cover letters are merely an introduction. An accurate overview of experience highlights and a way to request to be moved forward based on your qualifications. And then there are the other kinds of cover letters. The ones chock full of TMI, or that generally just miss theContinue Reading
When you’re looking for a job, you should expect to be Googled. When you’re trying to land a speaking engagement for a big industry event, you should expect to be Googled. When you send a guest contributor pitch to a blog you admire, you should expect to be Googled. TheContinue Reading
Last year, my colleagues launched a tool called The Next Five to help people navigate through those times in their career where they’re feeling kind of stuck. You know — when you’re just not sure what the next step is on your career path. And while many of us thinkContinue Reading
If you start your career at a corporate bank, the path to success is usually presented as a clear progression of incremental promotions, straightforward skill requirements, and predictable time lines. For those of us hell-bent on pursuing a creative career, there is no luxury of a well-trodden path. Achieving big league successContinue Reading
I have a confession to make: I used to be embarrassed by my age.
And I don’t mean I was a little bit embarrassed. I’m talking a gut-wrenching level of embarrassment to the point where I would either lie about my age or deny the person a response.
Leadership can be a difficult characteristic to understand. Which qualities make someone a good leader? Do those same qualities translate to all aspects of life, or can a person successfully lead a sports team but fail in the boardroom? Are people born leaders, or can anyone inspire others to follow them?Continue Reading
