Aligning Career With Values

The Class of 2025 faces unprecedented challenges—but your greatest asset isn't just your degree, it's your capacity for transformation. Research consistently shows that sustainable career success emerges from internal motivation: ↳ 68% higher employment satisfaction when work aligns with personal values, according to Workforce Analytics ↳ 2.9x greater career resilience when skills development is self-directed, according to Harvard Business Review ↳ 81% improved interview performance when candidates articulate authentic purpose, according to PSYCHOMETRIC RECRUITMENT LIMITED To activate your career transformation engine, master these five essential components: 🔹 Design your "Skills Acceleration System": Map your learning against emerging industry needs. Graduates who dedicate 5 hours weekly to strategic upskilling secure roles 40% faster (LinkedIn Workforce Report). 🔹 Craft your "Rejection Resilience Protocol": Convert interview feedback into growth opportunities. Candidates who implement structured feedback review processes receive 3x more follow-up interviews. 🔹 Develop your "Network Cultivation Rhythm": Create systematic touchpoints with industry connections. Professionals with consistent relationship-building practices receive 57% more unsolicited opportunities. 🔹 Create your "Opportunity Visibility Framework": Establish daily practices that position you where serendipity happens. Graduates in 3+ industry communities encounter 4x more "hidden market" roles. 🔹 Formulate your "Professional Identity Narrative": Craft and practice your unique value proposition until it becomes second nature. Candidates with coherent personal narratives advance 2.5x faster in early career stages. That's how you become career-resilient in a competitive landscape—by systematically building the professional identity that creates opportunities where others see only obstacles. What's one step from this framework that sparks your curiosity? Share below. Coaching can help; let’s chat. Joshua Miller #Classof2025 #CareerAdvice #Executivecoaching

Why Purpose in Work Matters: In the whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and a never-ending inbox, it’s easy to feel stuck in a rut—especially when the initial excitement of your career fades, and the routine of firefighting takes over. So, how do you keep going? The answer lies in purpose. It’s not just about good habits or grit—it’s about finding meaning in what you do every day. When work feels meaningful, you are more engaged, perform better, and are less likely to look for another job. Purpose fuels not just productivity but long-term commitment. I discovered my own sense of purpose well after a decade into working. Initially, I was only focused on doing things well. But over time, I found inspiration in my company’s purpose. That spark gave my work new meaning and propelled me to a turning point in my career. Today’s professionals seem to grasp this concept early on, seeking out orgs that align with their values and make a positive impact. And that’s exciting! Tips on Finding Purpose:- 1. Examine Your Organisation’s Purpose: Does it resonate with you? When your work connects to something bigger, it’s easier to find motivation. 2.Look to Role Models: Entrepreneurs and leaders driven by purpose show how it can lead to lasting impact beyond just profits. Learning from their journeys can guide you toward your own sense of purpose. 3. Find Purpose in the Small Moments: Purpose doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s in the everyday actions—whether it’s creating inclusive spaces or supporting small businesses. Work as a Source of Purpose Work isn’t just about the paycheck or promotions. It’s about the sense of identity, accomplishment, and social connection that it offers. When we find fulfillment in our jobs, work stops being a mere obligation and becomes an integral part of our lives. For instance, a colleague told me she values her office environment because it gives her a space to be recognised for her professional skills, distinct from her identity at home. The "break" from household chores also motivates her, providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Rethinking Work-Life Balance Work-life balance is often framed as a struggle between two opposing forces: work as a "necessary evil" and life as the source of joy. This mindset can diminish the significance of work. Instead, I prefer to think of a balanced life, where work, family, leisure, and personal growth coexist without being in constant competition. A holistic approach, where work is one of many fulfilling activities, leads to greater overall satisfaction. Work isn’t separate from life—it’s a vital element of it. Purpose gives depth to our work. When you align your work with something bigger than yourself, not only does it become less stressful, but it can also propel career success. What gives you a sense of purpose in your work? Do share your thoughts! #careergrowth #purpose    

How to move from “doing your job” to feeling inspired by it? Here’s my framework for building a career that creates impact + fulfillment. 𝟲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿.👇 1️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 ↳What drives you beyond the paycheck? Define your "why." ↳Create a strong purpose statement to inspire you. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↳Think long-term! This gives you direction and helps you prioritize what's important. ↳Set short and long-term goals. 3️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 ↳Work out the  milestones and map out steps / actions. ↳Keep yourself accountable but stay flexible—you may adjust as you learn and grow. 4️⃣ 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 ↳Challenge any beliefs that make you feel unqualified or unworthy of your ambitions. ↳Self-coach or work with a mentor to overcome these. 5️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 ↳To make an impact, grow as a leader. ↳Build credibility in the market as the "go-to" value-creator. 6️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 & 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 ↳Create a differentiated value proposition. ↳Invest in your warm network and build new networks that support your purpose and vision. When we have full clarity on the impact we want to make and how to make it, we are motivated and inspired daily. ✅ If you're at a career cross-roads, send me a message and let's discuss. ✅ I've coached 300+ professionals, helping them navigate their careers with purpose + impact. --- ♻ Repost to help your network.

Can we Plan, Control, and Improve our careers? Yes, we can. The answer lies in a classic quality management principle: Juran's Trilogy. Dr. Joseph Juran's Trilogy - Quality Planning, Quality Control, and Quality Improvement - has transformed organizations worldwide. What if I told you these principles can also transform your career? Career Planning Just like quality planning, start by defining your career goals and aligning them with market demands. Identify the skills you need, map your gaps, and chart a roadmap. Career Control Regularly monitor your progress. Are you delivering on your potential? Are your actions aligned with your goals? Think of this as checking KPIs for your career - like skills acquisition, visibility, and performance. Career Improvement Constantly look for ways to enhance your value. Learn new skills, adapt to changes, and take on stretch assignments. The goal is to make your career trajectory sharper and stronger over time. I recently coached Preeti, a mid-career professional stuck in a stagnant role. We mapped her long-term career goals (planning), set measurable milestones (control), and introduced skill upgrades and thought leadership efforts (improvement). Within 18 months, she transitioned into a leadership role with a significant pay hike. And I have used these principles myself. And you can see, I haven't done badly either. ☺ Your career is your product. Manage it like a quality professional. ++++++++++ Photo - My career isn't as bright as the background, but its not too bad either.

Yesterday, in one of my coaching sessions, I was listening to my client talking about how demotivated she was feeling at work, and her words struck a chord: "I'm not excited by this job; I don't feel like the cheerleader for the organization, I don't want to wear their brand or recruit for them because I no longer believe in their values." It made me reflect on moments in my HR career when I knew it was time to move on. In my client's reflection, she realized there were many things she still loves about HR; the light switch clicked when she said, "𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚." If you've stopped sharing open job roles, are reluctant to wear their branded shirts, or have lost your enthusiasm to be their cheerleader, it's time for serious introspection. Staying in such a situation not only holds you back but also does a disservice to the company. It's time to create an exit strategy and embark on a path that brings back your joy and fulfillment. Here are three suggestions to help you plan a well-thought-out exit strategy: 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: Take a step back and evaluate your values, aspirations, and career goals. Reflect on what truly matters to you in the workplace. What are the non-negotiables? What kind of company culture and values align with your own? Gain clarity on the type of organization where you'd thrive and feel excited to contribute your HR expertise. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡: Leverage your professional network and HR connections to explore opportunities in organizations that align with your values and goals. Attend industry events, connect with HR communities, and stay updated on job openings. In addition, thorough research on prospective employers will help you identify companies that resonate with your values and cultural preferences. 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: While you prepare to transition to a new company, use this time to enhance your skills and qualifications. Attend workshops, courses, or seminars to stay updated with the latest HR trends and best practices. Revamp your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight your achievements and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Now, the most crucial step is taking action. Don't let frustration and burnout hold you back. Please feel free to contact me for guidance and support in navigating this challenging period. I specialize in helping HR professionals like you find their passion, rebuild their careers, and regain their joy. Together, we can create a personalized strategy to ensure your next career move aligns perfectly with your aspirations. Remember, you deserve a workplace where you can wholeheartedly support the company's mission, values, and culture. It's time to take the first step toward a more fulfilling HR career. #hrcareers #careerfrustration #yourhrcoach #humanresources #introspection #exitstrategy

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿: Professional success depends more on friendship quality than network size. We've been taught that professional advancement comes from maximizing connections, cultivating a vast network, and strategically positioning ourselves among influential people. Data tells a different story. After analyzing 15+ years of career trajectories across multiple industries, I've discovered patterns that challenge conventional networking wisdom: 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #𝟭: Deep friendships predict career resilience better than network breadth. Professionals with 3-5 deep work friendships recover from career setbacks 2.7x faster than those with extensive but shallow networks. These relationships provide the psychological safety needed to process failure constructively rather than defensively. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #𝟮: Friendship diversity matters more than status alignment. Career trajectories accelerate faster for those with friends across different functions, industries, and backgrounds versus those whose connections all occupy similar professional spaces. Cognitive diversity among your closest connections drives innovation and opportunity recognition. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #𝟯: True professional friendships challenge more than they validate. The most valuable professional friends aren't those who always agree or support unconditionally—they're those who care enough to deliver difficult truths when no one else will. Career acceleration correlates strongly with having friends who provide honest feedback and push your thinking. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #𝟰: Friendship ROI increases with time, unlike most networking investments. The professional value of authentic friendships compounds over decades, while transactional networking often yields diminishing returns. The colleagues you genuinely connect with today may become your most valuable allies in 10-15 years. So what does this mean practically? Shift your focus from network expansion to relationship depth: • Invest disproportionately in the few relationships with mutual trust and genuine connection • Cultivate friendships with people who think differently than you • Value those who challenge your thinking over those who simply advance your interests • Build relationships that would survive your professional failure The next time you're tempted to attend a networking event with the goal of collecting business cards, consider instead investing that time deepening a relationship with someone who might catch you when you fall. What's been your experience with the professional value of true friendship? 💚 follow me if you like for more research-backed but counterintuitive career insights 🙂 ♻️ please share to inspire + grow your network

Stop thinking about “networking.” The word itself is flawed. It suggests collecting contacts, chasing opportunities, or angling for your next job. That mindset misses the point. What you should be asking is where can you deliver value, and where can others help you deliver more? At the level most of us operate, no one creates meaningful outcomes alone. Teams, clients, and partners all depend on shared value creation. When you focus there, the right connections form naturally. I’ve approached my career the same way with clients. My role isn’t about asking what they can do for me. It’s about understanding what they need from me: Deeper knowledge  Sharper execution Clearer guidance That focus on value has consistently driven the next opportunity, not a superficial introduction. Forget “networking.” Start contributing where it matters. That’s how careers advance and businesses grow.

Most people think networking is how you get ahead - NO. Strategic Project Leaders create value and leaders seek them out; hence, their network grows— that is why they rise. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬, 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. Executives and decision-makers are not impressed by flattery or forced small talk. They are moved by : ✔️clarity, ✔️ relevance, ✔️your ability to help them think differently or move faster toward a goal. This is where most professionals get it wrong: They network to be seen, instead of networking to be of service. When you shift your mindset from “How can this help me?” to “How can I create strategic value for this person or organisation?”—everything changes. 🪀Doors open. 🪀Conversations go deeper. 🪀Opportunities multiply. Strategic networking is not about volume—it is about intention. It is not only about visibility—it is about value to others. That is how I built relationships with leaders I once thought were out of reach. That is how you position yourself as someone worth aligning with. 👉Not just a professional. 👉Not just a contact. 👉A catalyst. Want to learn how to create value that builds networks like a Strategic Project Leader? Let’s talk. I will show you how I do it—and how you can too. #FolaElevates #StrategicLeadership #Networking #ProjectLeadership #StrategicElites #CareerAcceleration #ProjectIntelligence ----------------------- Adam Grant, a renowned organizational psychologist, also notes that successful networking is not about climbing the social ladder but creating meaningful, reciprocal relationships. This aligns with research from the Journal of Management Studies, which found that leaders with diverse networks are better positioned to identify and leverage new opportunities.

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 - 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲! Today's Positive Psychology lesson dives into the essence of what makes our work truly meaningful. This meaningful work framework was developed by Steger, Dik, and Duffy in 2012. At the heart of meaningful work lies the concept of self-transcendence—moving beyond our own immediate concerns to embrace broader, altruistic goals - for example: connecting our daily tasks to the welfare of others and the greater good. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 Visualise your work’s impact as expanding circles of influence. ▪️The innermost circle represents how you perceive the significance of your role within the organization. ▪️Radiating outward, the next circle symbolises how your work actually aligns with your personal life's meaning and purpose. ▪️The outermost circle reflects how your work benefits the people around you or for the greater good I remember when I first learned about this model, it brought a smile to my face. I understood why I enjoyed three things in life: positive psychology training, coaching, and teaching—because they benefit the people around me and truly serve the greater good. These are career roles that align well with my personal strengths and values. Finding meaning in the work that I do has made me more engaged. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮? → Is meaning at work important to you? → How do you find meaning at work, and how do you nurture it? Source: Steger, M.F. (2016). Creating Meaning and Purpose at Work. In The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Positivity and Strengths-Based Approaches at Work (eds L.G. Oades, M.F. Steger, A.D. Fave and J. Passmore). https://lnkd.in/eJ7X28-i #positivepsychology #meaningfulwork #lifecoach #meaning #thepositivearena 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘸! 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴, 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩, 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵.

Networking isn't just about making connections; it's about creating value for those in your network. A common mistake is to reach out to connections only when you need something. Instead, focus on contributing to your network first. Share useful content, offer help, and make introductions that benefit others. For example, when you connect with someone, research their role and challenges. Share relevant articles or insights that might help them. Ask, "How can I help you?" This simple question can go a long way in building trust and fostering meaningful relationships. Making introductions within your network can also be incredibly valuable and appreciated. Starting early and consistently offering value builds a solid foundation for your network. Your posts, thoughts, and advice not only enrich your connections but also position you as a valuable resource. By focusing on creating value first, you build stronger, more meaningful connections over time. What strategies have you used to provide value to your network? #Networking#ValueCreation #TechLeadership