One of the greatest tools to move ahead in your career is also one of the best tools to improve your life in general—personal reflection. Not as sexy as an MBA, but there you have it. Reflection is a practice that transcends religious boundaries and has been around since ancient times. And, trust us on this one, the ancients were … Read More
This is your daily reminder: you are not good enough. While you might not suck—might not, but who are we kidding—you are in danger. You need to improve your skills, grow your network, increase your leadership capacity, gain deeper insight into the market and your competition, learn A.I., master interpersonal dynamics and office politics, figure out how to “add more … Read More
Last week, we started to talk about how to survive office politics. Our first tips were: Reframe politics to diplomacy. Develop strong relationships. Distinguish between office politics and horrible behavior. Know what you can control. Get a coach or mentor. Some of you noted that we left off drinking as a coping mechanism, and we are sorry that it won’t … Read More
Office politics. They can be enough to have most seasoned professionals reach for the straight jacket and call it a day. People want to be recognized for how well they do their work and their achievements, not how well they get along with—or appease—the boss. At the end of the day, we are in business, and results are the only … Read More
So far, the 2020s have been rough: pandemic deaths, COVID shutdowns, supply chain challenges, inflation, interest rate increases, and whatever the hell Elon Musk is up to this week. Let’s not forget the wars in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza, further instability in the Middle East, the increasing tensions between mainland China and Taiwan, and whatever political show the United States puts … Read More
One of the strengths of a Pathfinder is applying systems thinking—the ability to see the interconnected nature of systems. This is helpful regardless of business, technology, environmental conservation, or personal development; understanding the nuances and interplay between different parts of a system can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions. Here are some thoughts on how you can strengthen your … Read More
Pathfinders are driven by an innate need to create or construct. At work, this has its positives and downsides. While work offers a platform to channel creativity, it often comes bundled with external motivators like compensation or recognition that can cloud intrinsic passion. If you’re one such individual, brimming with a deep-seated creative urge—which is a key characteristic of Pathfinders, … Read More
As much as the business world talks about innovation and breakthrough thinking, we have all seen the tremendous pressure to go along to get along. While organizations say they want disruptors, they only seem to want them on some sort of schedule —which isn’t how that works. The challenge—we all know that getting comfortable in business is the first step … Read More
If you don’t know where you are, it’s impossible to get where you want to go. It’s like asking Google Maps for directions to a restaurant when it can’t figure out your starting location. It’s similar for professional development. You need to be clear about your strengths and weaknesses to determine a path to improve or gain new skills. That … Read More
“Beware the Ides of January.” That should be the warning for people starting the New Year with new goals. It’s about this time in January the enthusiasm for those run into the realities of life. And, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, the cold and dark of January isn’t helpful. We know from personal experience and good research that … Read More
