Career Change Confidence

"Feedback is a gift. It's an opportunity to learn and grow" At Google, we believe in the power of feedback to drive improvement. Sometimes feedback can be tough to hear. But taking the time to unpack it, understand the perspective, and reflect on it is crucial. Why feedback matters: - It reveals blind spots we cannot see ourselves - It accelerates learning by shortcutting trial and error - It demonstrates that others are invested in your success - It creates alignment between perception and reality How to receive feedback effectively: 1. Approach with curiosity, not defensiveness When receiving feedback, your first reaction might be to justify or explain. Instead, listen deeply and ask clarifying questions: "Can you give me a specific example?" or "What would success look like to you?" 2. Separate intention from impact Remember that well-intentioned actions can still have unintended consequences. Focus on understanding the impact rather than defending your intentions. 3. Look for patterns across multiple sources Individual feedback may reflect personal preferences, but patterns across multiple sources often reveal genuine opportunities for growth. 4. Prioritize actionable insights Not all feedback requires action. Evaluate which points will have the greatest impact on your effectiveness and focus your energy there. 5. Follow up and close the loop Demonstrate your commitment by acknowledging the feedback, sharing your action plan, and following up on your progress. Creating a feedback-rich environment: - Model vulnerability by asking for feedback yourself - Recognize and celebrate when people implement feedback successfully - Make it routine through structured check-ins rather than waiting for formal reviews At Google, we've learned that organizations with robust feedback cultures innovate faster, adapt more quickly to market changes, and build more inclusive workplaces. Let's commit to seeing feedback not as criticism but as a valuable investment in our collective future. The discomfort is temporary, but the growth is lasting. #motivation #productivity #mindset

Taking the first step is always the hardest. Fear of failure can hold us back from achieving what we’re truly capable of. Questions like these often stop people in their tracks: - "What if I fail?" - "What will others think?" - "What if I’m not good enough?" Bu the truth is failure is not the end—it’s a stepping stone. In my journey, I’ve been part of multiple startups. Not all of them succeeded. Some failed spectacularly. But each one taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned otherwise. If you’re hesitating to start something new, here are three practical steps to help you move forward: 1. Start Small: ↳ Dedicate just 20-30 minutes a day to your new idea or project. Small, consistent efforts compound over time. 2. Learn Continuously: ↳ Expand your skills beyond your current role. Online courses, books, or even shadowing someone can open new doors. 3. Connect with the Right People: ↳ Surround yourself with those who are already doing what you aspire to do. Their insights and experiences can guide you in ways you never imagined. The most successful people I know didn’t avoid failure—they embraced it, learned from it, and kept going. So, take that first step. Start small, stay consistent, and let the journey teach you. What’s one thing you’ve been putting off because of fear? Share your thoughts below.

7 Questions To Ask Yourself (When You Don’t Know Which Career Path Is Right For You): 1. What Energizes Me? Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Label one side “Energy Creators” and the other “Energy Drainers.” Now reflect on all the projects, initiatives, etc. you’ve worked on over the past few years. Label and categorize each one. Now look out for roles where the majority of the work is focused on energy creation. 2. What Do People Come To Me For? Everyone has a specific skill or strength that other people look to them for. If you’re not sure what it is? Ask 5 friends and 5 colleagues this question and see what they say. That can help you identify a skill that’s in demand that you’re also recognized for being good at. 3. What Problems Do I Enjoy Solving? Every job has problems. In fact, work and business are really the process of identifying and solving problems. So if you’re going to be spending your life solving problems, it’s important to know which ones you like to solve. Reflecting on this will help you see which challenges you enjoy taking on. 4. If Money Wasn’t An Issue What Work Would I Do? Most of us work to make a living. But it can be helpful to start from a place of what you love to do, and then work backward into the overlap between that and making an income. You’d be surprised at how many jobs exist where people are able to work on things they’re passionate about while also earning. 5. What Does My Ideal Workday Look Like? Some people love traveling for work, some hate it. Some people love sitting at a desk all day, some don’t. Some people love combing through spreadsheets, and…you get it. Painting a picture of the ideal day will help you dial into jobs that align with that schedule, workflow, and balance. 6. What Am I Willing To Struggle For? Most things that are truly worth doing are hard. If you’re not willing to take on some big challenges, to do hard work, and to deal with some uncertainty? You’re limiting your potential. So think about paths and outcomes that you feel are worth struggling for, then aim to align your work and career with that. 7. Whose Career Do I Admire? Finally, think about someone whose career you admire. A friend, a former colleague, etc. Reach out to them and ask them if they’d be willing to chat more about their journey and their job. This will give you a ton of insight into what they do and how they got there so you can see if it’s a good fit for you!

80% of feedback never changes behavior. Not because people don’t care… But because of how it’s delivered. Your style and tone makes a difference. The feedback you give can spark change or trigger resistance. It’s not about being “nice” or “tough.” It’s about being strategic. Here are 5 approaches that turn tough conversations into growth opportunities: 1. COIN Method For when performance needs a reset. Most people jump straight to criticism. But starting with context creates safety. “In yesterday’s meeting…” feels specific. “You always…” feels like an attack. The magic is in the Next step: Don’t just point out problems. Co-create solutions. 2. SBI Model For when you’re recognizing wins or addressing gaps. Vague praise like “Great job” doesn’t teach. Specific feedback does. “When you asked that clarifying question, the client leaned in…” That’s something they can actually repeat. 3. STAR/AR Method For when someone’s ready to level up. Most feedback looks backward. This one builds forward. Review what happened → then explore alternatives. You’re not just fixing mistakes. You’re expanding capacity. 4. DESC Script For when you need to set boundaries. Boundaries don’t push people away. They build trust. The key is Express. Own your experience without blame. “I feel…” lands. “You make me feel…” doesn’t. That’s how accountability shifts. 5. GROW Model For when someone needs guidance, not answers Old-school feedback = “Here’s what to do.” GROW = “Let’s uncover it together.” The power move? Stay curious longer. Ask “What else?” at least 3 times. The best ideas usually come last. One more truth: timing beats technique. Give feedback within 48 hours when memory is fresh. Don’t fire off complaints in the moment. And don’t wait for the once-a-year performance review. Find the sweet spot where perspective is clear and the moment still matters. That’s when feedback creates growth. ♻️ Repost if this helps you (or your team) have conversations that actually create change. 👉 Follow Desiree Gruber for more tools on storytelling, leadership, and brand building.

It’s graduation season, and I’ve been reflecting on the lessons I wish I’d learned sooner, so I can share them with new grads. Here’s the first one: Passion is necessary, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Too often, we hear “follow your passion,” as if passion alone guarantees success or fulfillment over the course of your career. In reality, you have to consider passion alongside four other critical factors: Your unique assets (What skills, experiences, or perspectives do you bring to the table AND where do you have a genuine advantage over others? Market realities (What problems are people willing to pay to solve? Which industries are growing, and which are shrinking?) Supply & demand (Is there real demand for what you want to offer?) Timeliness fit (Ask yourself: will this path sustain your interests, values, and well-being? Is it going to position you to have a next step in the area you want to explore next?) Hopefully, this is helpful to those of you thinking about what’s next in life, from someone who has been there…just a short time ago.

𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭—𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 🚀 For a long time, I thought career growth meant doing my job well. I was wrong. The people who stand out don’t just complete tasks—they evolve, adapt, and refine their skills constantly. That’s what separates high performers from everyone else. When I started embracing continuous improvement, everything changed. 📌𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁. Instead of assuming I was doing fine, I made it a habit to ask, “What’s one thing I can improve?” It was uncomfortable at first, but it helped me grow faster than I ever expected. 📌 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 "𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀" 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀. Waiting for promotions or major training sessions to improve was slowing me down. Instead, I started making small tweaks every day—refining my communication, improving my workflow, and staying ahead of industry trends. Tiny shifts, big results. 📌 𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁. Growth never happens in your comfort zone. I took on tasks I wasn’t completely ready for, knowing that figuring it out would teach me more than any course ever could. And it did. 📌 𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁—𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. No successful company stays the same for years, so why should I? The best professionals update their skills, mindset, and approach regularly. That’s how they stay relevant. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩? 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦. #ContinuousImprovement #CareerGrowth #SelfDevelopment

From Training to Learning: Embracing Continuous #Growth as Professionals Over the years, my journey in Learning and Development (L&D) has shown me how crucial it is to understand the evolution from "training" to "learning." While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct paths in professional growth, and recognizing their differences can make all the #difference in one’s #career. 🏁Training was where I started—focused, structured sessions designed to teach specific skills or tasks required for a particular job scenario. 🖊️Whether it was guiding a team on using new software, handling customer inquiries more effectively, or ensuring safety compliance, training has always been about immediate application. 🖊️It’s essential, no doubt, but it’s only one part of the puzzle. 🏁Learning, on the other hand, is a broader, more continuous process. 🖊️It goes beyond the confines of a training room or an online module. 🖊️Learning involves absorbing and retaining information, expanding one’s knowledge, and developing new perspectives over time. 🖊️It’s about preparing for future challenges, embracing curiosity, and being proactive in one’s growth journey. 🖊️This shift from just training to fostering a culture of continuous learning has been transformative in my own career. 👩💻🧑💻My Advice to Fellow Professionals: Don’t just stop at training. 💥Use it as a foundation, but aim higher. 💥Grasp every learning opportunity that comes your way—whether it’s through mentorship, cross-departmental projects, or even self-directed study. 💥The most successful professionals I've seen are those who never stop learning, who see every challenge as a chance to grow. 💢Remember: Training equips you for the present, but continuous learning prepares you for the future. Embrace both, and you’ll be ready for whatever comes next. 💢How do you balance training and learning in your career journey? 💢Let’s share and inspire each other to keep growing!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 What worked for you in the past, may not work in the future. As problems evolve, the solutions for them have to evolve as well In my conversations with mid-management professionals, one recurring theme stands out: a reliance on what worked in the past. They often stick to familiar processes or methodologies, even when the landscape and challenges have evolved. It’s not about a lack of awareness. It’s about comfort. Familiar solutions come with predictable outcomes, and even when they fall short, people know how to manage the fallout. The truth: 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰. The problems of the future demand new perspectives, new skills, and innovative solutions. As knowledge professionals, we must adopt this mindset: “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧��𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.” To stay relevant: 🔹 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 — don’t let past successes define your playbook. 🔹 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 — continuously learn, adapt, and explore new methodologies. 🔹 𝐁𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 — equip yourself with skills for the problems yet to come. The world is changing fast, and so must we. Keep learning, keep growing, and stay ahead of the curve. 🚀 #Leadership #Reskilling #FutureOfWork #ContinuousLearning

I was lucky enough to have my team grow from 6 to 800 people in 9 years. I was promoted from Senior Manager to Director to Vice President, and I had imposter syndrome the whole time. Here are 4 ways I fought it, and how you can too: It is no surprise that when my team grew 130x from 6 to 800, I ended up not fully knowing what I was doing. At the same time, it is hard to say no to opportunities when you have experienced downsizing and setbacks. So, as the chance to take on new tasks and challenges was available, I said yes. There was definitely an element of "fake it until I make it" in the whole process. It is also true that most of the leaders above and below me were in the same situation. Because of the unprecedented growth of Amazon through these years, most of my managers and direct reports were also in the largest and most complex jobs of their lives. While I cannot know the inner workings of their minds for sure, I feel confident that many of them had similar feelings of imposter syndrome. Action 1: If you worry that you are in over your head, or that people might find out you don't completely know what you are doing, realize that this is normal. Action 2: Understand that it is normal to be in the largest and most complex job of your life for much of your career. If you are not, it often means you have either stepped back intentionally or that you have suffered a setback (like a layoff). Growth inevitably means doing harder things than ever before. Action 3: Get help. Be open with your mentors on what you need. You do not have to share all your worries to lay out your challenges and ask for advice. If you are in an environment where admitting “development areas” is unacceptable, turn your language around and ask for "help optimizing performance and delivery." No one will be against optimization, and it amounts to the same thing - getting insight on any gaps and places to improve. Action 4: Hire a coach, therapist, or counselor if you need one. To be top performers, we need a strong mental game. As leaders, particularly of knowledge work, our whole performance comes from our minds. None of us would hesitate to go to a doctor if we were sick, or a trainer to develop our bodies, so getting help with our mental performance should be a no-brainer. However, there is hesitation and sometimes shame in getting help with our mental game. Readers: I really want to create a short course on fighting imposter syndrome and developing a strong mental game to help with these common challenges. What mental challenges are you fighting? If you have overcome typical worries either in a specific job or long term, share what you did please.

Attention - Career pivot!? It is rather often that I receive direct messages from candidates asking for advice on how to manage a significant career pivot. Changing careers at a mature stage in life is a little like going on a very tall roller coaster - it can be both exciting and scary. Here are some thoughts to consider: ↝ 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Start by assessing your skills, interests, and values. Understand your strengths and what drives you. This self-awareness will guide you towards a career that aligns with the true you! ↝ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘁-𝘂𝗽: Understand the financial implications of a career change. Determine how your income might be affected during the transition period and plan accordingly. In today`s environment it almost always takes longer than planned. ↝ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲: Take the time to learn about potential career directions. Look into industries that interest you and explore the job market demand, required skills, and educational or training pathways. Talk to real people to gain insights! Make sure that you take into consideration local market specifics. ↝ 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Identify your skills or knowledge that can be transferred as well as gaps between your current experience and your desired career. Courses, certifications, or workshops can be helpful (and costly). ↝ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Leverage your existing network and reach out to professionals in the new field. Networking can be critical in your decision making as well your eventual success. ↝ 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: If possible, gain practical experience in your new field through volunteering or internships. This can help you confirm you are on the right path; acquire hands-on experience and expand your network. ↝ 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Understand that changing careers may take time and effort. Consider adjusting your plans based on new information or opportunities that arise. ↝ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: Resilience on this journey will be critical. Job hunting and career changes are often challenging, but maintaining a positive mindset will increase your chances of success. ↝ 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁: Once you've made the change, periodically evaluate your career satisfaction and progress. Be open to making further adjustments if needed to ensure long-term fulfillment. ❓ Anything you would add? Any questions? ------------------------------------------------- Oh, hey there! I am Dana - Recruiter with a 💡 ☝🏼 Like this and want more interesting content? 🍪 Share if others could benefit from this too! 🔔 Follow me and 'hit' the bell on my profile.