Jean Kang

✨ PM Career Coach, x7 pivoter, helping other pivoters land amazing Program Manager roles and 🔥 thrive on the job | Founder of 🚀 Path to PM | Senior Program Manager @ Figma • Ex-Linkedin, Meta, Pinterest, Intuit

Over the last decade, I led impactful programs at companies like LinkedIn, Pinterest, & Figma.

But here’s the part that surprises people:

- I didn’t have a PMP certification.
- I’m a proud career pivoter. 
- I didn’t check every box.

What I did have was strategy, storytelling, and a clear sense of how to articulate my value.

That’s how I landed multiple 6-figure Program Manager roles at top tech companies not by following the “traditional” path, but by leaning into my superpowers. 

Eventually, I had a spark to do something different..

What if I used the same skills that helped me thrive in Big Tech… to build something of my own?

So I left to bet on myself (again). 

And what served me well in my career also helped me as a solopreneur.

I owned my story, built with intention and shared learnings in public.

I started creating content in 2023 and in 2 years, built a community of 350K+ across LinkedIn, Instagram, and my newsletter.

Today, I’m the founder of the PM Accelerator, a career transformation program where I help senior professionals land high-paying PM roles without another certification or starting over. 

My mission is to democratize access to tech careers + empower folks to design a career, business & life they love especially in this era of AI.

The Results:

→ Partnered with Google, Hubspot, NVIDIA, Adobe, Kajabi, Notion, & more
→ LinkedIn Learning Instructor with 200K+ learners
→ 100M+ impressions over the last year
→ 230K+ follow my journey on LinkedIn
→ Built a $200K+ business in 1 year 
→ 32K+ read my newsletter 
→ (soon TEDx speaker 😱)

If you want to learn the exact framework I used to land dream PM roles + help others do the same… 

📌 APPLY TO THE PM ACCELERATOR (link in bio)

In this 5-week career acceleration program, I teach you how to get interviews, land dream offers and literally thrive on the job.  

I helped 100+ students land PM roles at Microsoft, SoFi, Scale.AI, Adidas, Workday and more (many in under 4–7 weeks)

→ GO HERE: pm-accelerator.com 

📧 jean@jean-kang.com for partnerships, collaborations, and speaking opportunities

📌 Media kit: jean-kang.com

Founder & CEO

"Jean isn’t a program manager coach solely because she’s done the role. She’s a coach because she’s done both the role AND gone the extra mile to document what she’s researched and learned masterfully. 

“Jean’s the real deal, and I couldn’t recommend her more to someone questioning how to take the next step in their career."

Leadership isn’t a title.

It’s how you make people feel.

💸 Get promo ready here: https://lnkd.in/gvq4UBgW

My assistant said this to me the other day 💙

“When I talk to managers, I get the feeling they're important. 
When I talk to leaders, I get the feeling I'm important.”

And said this is how I make her feel 🥹 (best compliment ever)

Here’s what I’ve learned about leading with kindness

(and why it’s often your secret weapon for getting ahead especially if you’re eyeing a promotion)

☝🏼 Create psychological safety

↳ People can only thrive when they feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and be themselves without fear of judgment.
↳ Avoid interrupting or dismissing ideas, even if they aren’t fully formed yet
↳ Ask for feedback, “How can I support you better?” or “Do you need more clarification?”

✌🏼 Turn mistakes into learning moments

↳ Focus on “What can we learn?” instead of “Who’s at fault?”
↳ Provide specific guidance on how to avoid the same mistake (ex. “Here’s what to do next time when X happens. What do you think?”

🤟🏼 Give meaningful appreciation & recognition

↳ Get to know how each individual WANTS to be recognized (via DMs, team meeting, more flexibility etc)
↳ Create rituals, like “Win of the Week,” to make appreciation part of the culture

🖖🏼 Care deeply for their well-being

↳ Check in with team members beyond work - ask, “How are you really doing?”
↳ Normalize taking breaks by doing it yourself and encouraging others to do the same (”I don’t expect you to work after hours or on weekends”)
↳ Reinforce that they should focus on their well being > work. Say, “Hey, I know you’re sick. Cancel your meetings and transfer any open work. I’ll handle it.”

Leadership isn’t about power. It’s about people.

If you want to truly thrive in your career, and land the promotion you deserve

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

Here’s a wildly valuable and completely free Promotion Readiness Calculator built by the brilliant Shivani Berry that gives you a custom report in < 2 minutes.

Here’s what it does

☝🏼 Identifies the exact lever blocking your promotion

✌🏼 Gives you detailed, actionable next steps to remove the block and bag your dream promo

💸 Get promo ready here: https://lnkd.in/gvq4UBgW

♻️ Repost if you agree & follow Jean Kang for more.

Tech Creator (400k+) & Founder | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & LinkedIn Learning Instructor helping you thrive at work using AI

KPI = 
Key Performance Indicators

The New Leadership
KPI
Keep people interested
Keep people informed
Keep people involved
Keep people inspired

Be the person people want to work with.

How you collaborate will define your career more than anything else.

Because let’s be real. 

No one wants to work with the person who’s genius but impossible to deal with.

Here are 6 traits that make you an invaluable teammate:

__

1. Be dependable ☝🏼

↳ Follow through on what you say you'll do.
↳ Show up on time. Physically and mentally.
↳ Be the person others know they can count on.

2. Communicate like a boss ✌🏼

↳ Get to the point (lead with a headline).
↳ Keep people updated before they have to ask.
↳ Listen with the intent to understand, not just to reply.

3. Make other people’s jobs easier 🤟🏼

↳ Offer solutions vs problems.
↳ Offer help before you're asked.
↳ Share resources, knowledge, and wins.

4. Take ownership of everything (Good or bad) 🖖🏼

↳ Give credit where it’s due.
↳ Don't wait for someone else to step up. Be that person.
↳ Say this: “I dropped the ball. Here’s what happened and what I’ll do next time …”

5. Show appreciation 🖐🏼

↳ Say *thank you.* A lot.
↳ Celebrate small wins. Not just big results.
↳ Recognize someone’s effort, not just the outcomes.

People remember how you made them feel. Make them feel valued.

At the end of the day, the best career move isn’t just getting better at your job.

It’s getting better at working with people.

What’s one trait that makes someone amazing to work with? Drop it below 👇

Tech Creator (400k+) & Founder | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & LinkedIn Learning Instructor helping you build AI literacy ✨

be the person that everyone wants to work with

I quit my job after 14 days.

The culture reflected in the interview was NOT the reality of working there.

The interview process was amazing.

I was so excited to join a great company culture.

Unfortunately, I noticed 🚩red flags in my first week.

My boss started to micromanage, degrade, and control me.

The reality was that what I was told in the interview was a lie.

So many people told me that I should never leave a job under 1 year.

They said being a ‘job hopper’ would ruin my career, but I decided to own my story.

I chose to leave my job under 1 month to preserve my mental health.

In doing so, I landed better roles, greater salaries, a kind manager, and a healthy culture conducive to my growth.

Don’t let anyone shame you for leaving a job because it looks 'bad.'

Staying at a toxic job long-term destroys your mental health.

It’s okay to leave and put yourself first.
__

5 questions to ask if you're in the right place 👇🏼

1/ Am I challenged?

2/ Am I learning & growing?

3/ Do I feel like I can make an impact?

4/ Do I align with the values of the company?

5/ Am I being valued & recognized for my work?

If the answers are NO, it’s time to start looking.

Because person or job is worth your mental health 💙

Repost if you believe mental health matters 🙏🏼

Image credit: Thinking Minds IG

knowing when to leave is so important. the party. the job. the relationship.

📣 Employees who feel appreciated will always do more than expected.

Spoiler alert: 

If they’re not growing, they’re GOING ✌🏼

I’ve left jobs where I felt undervalued, underutilized, & unsupported.

And by choosing to leave, I found myself in healthier workplaces where I was:

✅ Supported by my manager

✅ Recognized for my contributions

✅ Treated with respect and kindness

✅ Encouraged to take time off without the guilt

5 simple things to show your people you actually care:
__

☝🏼1. Be personally helpful

↳ Forward a helpful article, intro them to someone who can help, or share a tool that made your life easier.

Example: “Hey, this podcast made me think of you. It has great advice for client conversations!”

✌🏼2. Connect with, not above, your people

↳ Open up about your own challenges. Ask for feedback you’ll actually use.

Example: “I’ve been feeling stretched lately too. Curious what's one thing I could do better to support you this week?”

🤟🏼3. Get curious about their life outside of work

↳ Ask about their weekend, their dog, their side project. Actually remember the details.

Example: “How was Max’s first soccer game? You looked so proud in that photo!”

🖖🏼4. Acknowledge their people

↳ Celebrate their partners, families, even friends who support them.

Example: “We’d love to see your partner at the team BBQ. Would they be open to joining us?”

🖐🏼5. Be radically transparent

↳ Honest, kind feedback beats sugarcoating every time. Truthful & transparent feedback is a gift.

↳ Try the SBI method: Situation, Behavior, Impact

Example: “In today’s meeting (S), when you interrupted Jane (B), it shifted the room's tone (I). Can we be more mindful of that next time?”

Happy employees make the best employees. Repost if you agree 🙏🏼

Repost if you agree 🙌🏼

a person who feels appreciated will always do more than expected

From 23 to 33, my income jumped 10x 

Looking back, here are the smartest things I did:

1/ Negotiated every offer 

Not just salary, also sign-on, PTO, title, bonus, equity, & professional development budget.

I’ll share my top negotiation tips I gave Business Insider in the comments.

2/ Approached *every* job with an ownership mentality 

I stopped being just an employee. I showed that I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, wear different hats, and bring solutions (not just problems).

Remember, you are the CEO of your own career.

3/ Built a side hustle with a 9-5

I launched a coaching business while working FT at Figma and made +$30K in my first year.

It was proof that optionality is everything.  

4/ Invested in my personal brand 

I started posting on LinkedIn 3 years ago, and it genuinely changed my life. 

It helped me leave my tech career, replace my salary in < 1 year, and start living my dream life.

5/ Got ✨great✨ at articulating my impact

This one’s important. I learned early on that good work alone isn’t enough. What matters is whether people see it and believe it.

You need receipts. Track outcomes, tell the story behind your results, and build relationships internally. Make it so easy for people to advocate for you.

Lastly, if you’re not learning, earning, or growing in your role. 
It’s time to leave. No one can make this decision for you.

And there is a huge opportunity cost if you choose to stay at a place with no growth. 

If you’re ready to grow in your PM career: to land a strategic role, increase your impact and income, and feel confident doing it…

I help senior professionals level up their leadership and land roles they love (in big tech or not)

Want to accelerate your career?

Apply here to work with me: https://lnkd.in/d8e-JAPt

My best career advice:

At every job, you should either learn or earn. Either is fine. Both is best.

If neither, quit.

🔥 17 Remote Job Boards You Didn't Know About (until now)

Included the links below 👇🏼

1/ Wellfound - https://wellfound.com/jobs

↳ Over 130K remote jobs from top companies to fast-growing startups

2/ Working Nomads - https://lnkd.in/ewwG6j-a

↳ A curated list of remote jobs for the modern working nomad

3/ #Web3#Web3 - https://web3.career/ 

↳ Connecting blockchain professionals with Web3 companies

4/ RemoteOK - https://remoteok.com/

↳ Has 129000+ remote jobs as a Developer, Designer, Copywriter, Customer Support Rep, and more.

5/ We Work Remotely - https://lnkd.in/eTb-W9zT

↳ One of the largest remote work communities in the world with over 6M visitors

6/ Jobspresso - https://jobspresso.co/

↳ Expertly curated remote jobs in tech, marketing, customer support, and more

7/ FlexJobs - https://www.flexjobs.com/

↳ Find Remote, Hybrid, & Flexible Jobs (all verified with over 10K+ reviews)

8/ JustRemote - https://justremote.co/

↳ Discover fully and partially remote jobs from the greatest remote working companies

9/ StillHiring.Today - https://stillhiring.today/

↳ A community-sourced, no-pay-to-play, ungated, BS-free list of tech companies who are still ACTUALLY hiring by Ross Pomerantz and Adam Schoenfeld

10/ Wiseful

↳ Central layoff list used by thousands of companies to hire - updated weekly.

11/ Jobgether - https://jobgether.com/

↳ Access to over 100K remote jobs that fit your lifestyle

12/ Underdog.io -Apply to top tech jobs in 60 seconds. A place where companies apply to you - https://underdog.io/

↳ Apply to top tech startups hiring in NYC, SF + remote jobs with one application

13/ BuiltinTech - https://builtin.com/jobs

↳ Tech jobs, news, and resources for local tech communities

14/ Remote.co - https://remote.co/

↳ 146 remote companies and virtual teams answer your top questions about remote work

15/ SkipTheDrive - https://lnkd.in/e8YAUwTx

↳ Search for flexible, remote & hybrid jobs from thousands of jobs

16/ Remotive - https://remotive.com/

↳ Find tech remote jobs (get 100+ jobs posted per day with the Remotive accelerator)

17/ Virtual Vocations, Inc. - https://lnkd.in/etqHtmWR

↳ A job service that provides job seekers with hand-screened remote job leads

repost to help your network get hired 🫶

17 Remote Job Listings You Didn't Know Existed (until now)

AI can get you hired 🤯

My community has been LOVING this trick for standing out.

Here’s how to turn your LinkedIn profile into a ✨killer✨ personal website < 3 minutes
__

1. ☝🏼 Download your LinkedIn profile as a PDF
2. ✌🏼 Go to Replit(.)com + Create App 
3. 🤟🏼 Click Design + drop in the PDF with this prompt in ChatGPT (just tag “Replit”) 
__

“Create a modern, dark-mode personal website using my LinkedIn PDF. Include sections for Home, About, Experience, and Projects. Add smooth scroll navigation, a clean grid layout, my profile image, my updated headline, and space for key stats. Use a deep charcoal background with minimal neon accents. Make it look custom coded and easy to update.”

___

4. 🤟🏼 Click “Start Designing.”
5. ✋🏼 Adjust the content + layout
6. ✅ Hit publish and share live ✨ (that’s it!) 

Congrats 🥳, you’ve created a beautiful, shareable version of your story 🎊

Now here’s a bigger reason why this matters (and why vibe coding is having a moment).

While everyone’s raving over Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and other “AI-first dev tools”, I personally found it intimidating as a non-technical person.

And I found Replit is one of the best places to take my genuine curiosity into an actual *tangible* product (and bring my ideas 💡 → life)

(But if you are *technical*, Replit still works with Claude Code).

I’d love to invite you to build something from zero to 1 (and see how fun it can be!)

📌 Bring your creative ideas to life here: https://lnkd.in/dNGeWji5

#ReplitPartner

Brand partnership • Tech Creator (400k+) & Founder | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & LinkedIn Learning Instructor helping you build AI literacy ✨

Turn your LinkedIn Profile Into a Personal Website

7 Korean proverbs that will change your perspective (in life and career). 

What still sticks with me from childhood to adulthood (instilled by my Dad): 

"𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙮" ✨

Which one resonates with you?

📌 Share and follow Jean Kang for more.

7 Korean Proverbs That Will Change Your Perspective 

You’re gonna want to 📌 this

OpenAI shared prompt hacks by job function + work use case 🙌🏼

(and they’re REALLY good)  

Think:

- IT
- HR
- Sales
- Product
- Marketing
- Managers
- Engineering
- Customer Success

You're welcome 🤗

Dropping the link to OpenAI Academy  ⬇️ 

Learn how to use ChatGPT for any role: https://lnkd.in/gwvkduCJ

Share this with your work bestie 🫶🏼

PM roles in tech explained in 1 min 😉

Product and Program Managers sound similar, but they’re NOT the same 🙈

Watch till the end to see the difference (and see which one fits YOU best)

If you’ve been wanting to land a Program Manager role and know you can do it *really* well (without having the PM title).

That’s exactly what I’m helping professionals do :)

If you’re ready to grow in your career, to land a strategic role, increase your impact + income…

I’d love to help you level up your influence, articulate your value and land a job that you love (without needing another degree or certification)

Apply here to work with me: https://rb.gy/q08oyc

Lorraine K. Lee

🎙️ Virtual Speaker | 300K+ Followers | LinkedIn Learning Instructor | Consultant | Editorial + Tech | Ex-LinkedIn, SlideShare, Prezi | I help organizations and teams stand out and supercharge their professional presence

I help professionals build an 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, so they get seen, heard, and valued for the work they do.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, frustrated, or stuck despite doing everything right, I’ve been there. For years, I watched others get promoted while I kept my head down and stayed invisible. The reason? I was a passive participant in my career. 

Once I decided to become the CEO of it, everything changed: I got promoted to Director within a year, pushed past my nerves and introversion to embrace public speaking, and built a side hustle.

Then, in late 2022, I was laid off. I turned that side hustle into RISE Learning Solutions, drawing on my decade of experience as a founding editor at LinkedIn, Prezi, and other top tech firms. 

I now work with companies like Amazon, Zoom, and Cisco as a keynote speaker, trainer, and content creator. I also work with select executives, including Fortune 500 CEO,s on elevating their LinkedIn presence and thought leadership.

My #1 Amazon bestseller, 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, is the book I wish I’d had when I felt stuck and overlooked. It’s for ambitious professionals ready to show up intentionally and build a presence that gets them seen, heard, and valued.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈 𝐃𝐎:

Keynote Speaker & Trainer → 98% of attendees find my sessions valuable, and 100% learn something new. I teach the skills that fuel presence: communication, presentations, managing up, and LinkedIn. (Check out 200+ testimonials in "My Recommendations" below)

Instructor → I’ve trained 250,000+ learners through 15+ LinkedIn Learning courses (all rated 4.7/5 and above) and teach a popular public speaking course at Stanford Continuing Studies. I also create custom courses for organizations.

Content Creator → As a LinkedIn Top Voice with 325,000+ followers, I’ve partnered with brands like Robert Half, HubSpot, MERIT, Gusto, Notion, and Superhuman.

→ Featured in Inc., Entrepreneur, Business Insider, and CNBC.

𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐌𝐄:

Grab my bestseller Unforgettable Presence: https://amzn.to/3Hdv79r

Get bite-sized career tips in my free weekly newsletter, Career Bites: lorraineklee.com/subscribe

🎓 BSJ, Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism
🍰 Outside of work, I’m usually exploring new restaurants, searching for my next favorite dessert, learning golf, or planning my next trip!

👉🏻 Want to work together? Reach out at lorraineklee.com/contact

Top-Rated Virtual Keynote Speaker and Trainer

🎙𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊: 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐄.𝐂𝐎𝐌/𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆

🏆 Named a Top Virtual Keynote Speaker - ReadWrite (2020)
🏆 Finalist: Global Conference Speaker of the Year - WomenTech (2022)
🏆 Survey results: Speaker rating: 4.8/5, 100% learned something new, 98% found the session valuable (2023)

𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫, with experience speaking to global audiences ranging from Fortune 100 companies to startups, including Zoom, Cisco, Atlassian, and GitLab. She’s also a 5x-LinkedIn Learning Instructor with more than 300,000 followers on LinkedIn. 

Lorraine speaks on a wide range of topics, and each of her talks receive rave reviews: In 2022, she was rated a 4.92/5 as a speaker with 100% of attendees saying they learned something new.

Popular talks:
➤ How to Have Better Meetings (#2 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘮 '22 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦)
➤ How to Build Your LinkedIn Presence
➤ How to Make a Memorable First Impression on Video
➤ How to Present Like a Pro
➤ How to Stand Out On Video and Beat Zoom Fatigue

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 (More at lorraineklee.com/testimonials)

✨ I [...] recently invited her to speak at Zoom as part of our internal speaker series. Lorraine led a masterclass in engaging an audience virtually, including using cutting-edge tools to elevate virtual storytelling. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞'𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. — 𝘈𝘙𝘜𝘕 𝘑, 𝘡𝘖𝘖𝘔

✨Her presentation was 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 on how to improve our video communications. Her presentation encouraged engagement in an authentic way that made everyone enjoy the call. — 𝘚𝘈𝘔𝘈𝘕𝘛𝘏𝘈 𝘓𝘌𝘌, 𝘎𝘐𝘛𝘓𝘈𝘉

I’m now a Contributing Writer for Forbes! 🥳

What an incredible way to kick off 2026.

I'll be writing about the most in-demand topics for your career growth: Presence, Communication, and Leadership.

I want to hear from you: What leadership challenge should I tackle in my next article? Let me know in the comments! 👇

Read my latest pieces here:
How to Make Your Work Visible Without Sounding Braggy: https://lnkd.in/gmUZDvcw

The 2026 Career Conversation Playbook For Leaders Who Want Their Goals To Stick:
https://lnkd.in/g7zF24Ah 

How To Use Your Year-End Review To Increase Visibility All Year Long:
https://lnkd.in/gq8zTKAd

Bestselling Author (Unforgettable Presence) | Corporate Keynote Speaker | Instructor: LinkedIn Learning & Stanford | Former Founding Editor at LinkedIn & Prezi

In 2022, I lost my title. It was the best thing that ever happened to my career.

When I was laid off from Prezi, I realized I had been hiding.

- I was hiding behind my business card. 
- I was hiding behind my Director title.
- I was hiding behind the reputation of a tech company.

When that was stripped away, I felt as though I lost everything. 

I figured that if I walked into a room and couldn't tell people what my job was, I wouldn’t know how else to make them listen.

Most of us are "leasing" our confidence from our employers. 

We feel powerful because of the logo on our laptop, not the person behind it.

But logos change. Companies pivot. AI automates the tasks that used to make us feel "productive."

The only thing you actually own is your presence.

It took losing my seat at the table to realize I didn't need anyone's permission to own the room.

I spent the next three years building a portable career. One based on how I communicated, how I led, and how I showed up as a human being.

If you feel the ground shifting under you this year, don't panic. 

1) Use the shift to find your own footing.
2) Invest in the things a layoff can't take away.
3) Invest in the Human Premium™.

(Remind others of their value. ♻️)

P.S. For those who have navigated a career pivot: What was the one thing you kept when you lost the title?

I’m an introvert who spent years trying to be "louder" to get ahead. It was the biggest waste of my career.

Every January, we’re told to "step up," "be bold," and "make some noise."

For years, I believed that advice. I thought I had to transform into an extrovert to be successful. I thought I had to be the loudest person in the room just to be noticed or respected.

It was exhausting. And more importantly, it didn't work.

If your goal is to grow your career in 2026, I have a different invitation for you:

Stop trying to be louder. 
Start being more present.

We are entering an era where AI can write our emails, summarize our meetings, and draft our strategies. 

In a world of automated output, presence is the "human premium." It is the one thing technology cannot replicate.

It’s the energy you bring to a high-stakes negotiation. It’s the clarity you provide when a team is in crisis. It’s the ability to settle a room before you even say a word.

In 2026, I’m doubling down on helping you master how to:

Build visibility without feeling like you’re  "bragging".
Command a room (or video conference) with confidence.
Lead with a presence that creates trust, not just noise.

You don’t need to change your personality to be a leader. You need to master the skill of being unforgettable.

Happy New Year. Let’s make it a great one. 

P.S. What is one thing you’re prioritizing for your career in 2026?

I used to be the "invisible" high performer.

I did the work of three people, but I was the last to be promoted. Why?

1) I thought, "Good work speaks for itself."
2) I felt physically sick at the thought of "bragging"
3) I waited for a pat on the back that never came

I almost gave up on the corporate climb altogether.

So, what changed? 😊

I stopped waiting for "discovery." You've probably heard me say, "work doesn't speak, people do." I realized that if I didn't advocate for my results, I was actually making my manager's job harder. They aren't mind readers.

I stopped seeing visibility as "ego." I shifted my mindset. Sharing a win isn't a brag; it's an update on progress. It's giving your team the data they need to trust you with bigger projects.

I stopped caring about "looking humble." This was the big one. I realized that "humility" is often just a mask for "fear of judgment." In the words of the best leaders I know:

"Don't dim your light just because it's hitting someone else's eyes." 👌

Visibility isn't about being the loudest. It's about being the clearest.

Want the full promotion playbook?

This week’s Career Bites breaks down 3 simple ways to make your work impossible to ignore, plus a ready-to-send wins email template.

📧 Subscribe so you don’t miss it. link in comments 

(Repost for others ♻️)

It’s Wednesday. By now, the "New Year energy" has likely been replaced by back-to-back meetings.

When the calendar gets crowded, most leaders fall back into survival mode: 
They speak faster to save time, over-explain to feel heard, and rush to fill every silence.

This is a mistake.

Command isn’t about the volume of your voice; it’s about the steadiness behind it.

If you want to be the most influential person in the room today, try three non-obvious shifts:

1) Be the last to speak. 

Listen to the chaos, identify the real issue, and provide a path forward at the end. The person who can make sense of the room often shapes its direction next.

2) Master the intentional pause. 

When someone asks you a question, wait two seconds before answering. It signals that you are processing the information, not just reacting.

3) Control your frame. 

On camera, your presence is measured in pixels. If you are too close, you are aggressive; too far, and you are distant. Frame yourself so your hands are visible. Trust is built when people can see your gestures.

Presence isn't a personality trait. It is a technical skill you can choose to employ the moment you hit "Join."

Stop trying to be louder. Decide how you want the room to feel, then enter accordingly.

(Support a colleague today. ♻️)

P.S. What is the one "meeting habit" you chose to leave behind in 2025?

I bring good news today. So here it goes:

If you prioritized "how you show up" over "how fast you work" this week, congrats!

You are already outperforming the majority of the corporate world. 
(I mean this literally)

Because in the age of AI and instant replies, everyone is obsessed with speed:

- Speed of email replies. 
- Speed of finishing tasks. 
- Speed of "getting through" the day.

But true leadership presence? That is where the real gap is.

Yes, while everyone is racing to be the fastest, very few are focusing on the human premium, the unique value only a person can bring to a room.

We see it in the data on leadership influence. 
We see it in how teams respond to "present" managers. 
We see it in the Brand Test: do people trust your speed, or your judgment?

The bar for "fast" is high because machines are winning that race.

But the bar for "presence" has never been lower.

The corporate world isn't just looking for more output; it’s looking for more impact.

As LinkedIn crosses 1.3B users, the people who stand out aren't the ones clicking buttons the fastest. They are the ones who show up with clarity, empathy, and authority.

Do with this data as you please.
Or show up for your team today in a way that actually matters, you know. 😉

(Repost for others ♻️)

P.S. How often do you prioritize deep presence over quick tasks? I try to block out 2 hours a day for it.

POV: You’re prepping for a Fortune 500 workshop, and you feel more successful than ever.

I never thought I’d be able to sit in these rooms.

In fact, I haven’t "made it" if we look at it from the typical point of view where success is only about the contract size or the brand name on the slide.

True success to me is all about the depth of the conversation.

Many people in the corporate world are focused on  "performance." I used to be one of them.

We want flawless slides. We want the perfect script. We want impressive data.

But as someone who has finally found their voice, the biggest "hack" wasn’t a system.

It was the willingness to be a real person in a room full of experts.

It’s a type of authority that can't be measured in an Excel sheet, but it is truly felt when you see a leader finally drop their guard and listen.

From day one, my curiosity has been my biggest advantage.
Above all, I prioritized being helpful over being "important."

And sure, I may not sound as "polished" as the people who never go off-script, but I can 100% say that I am rich.

Rich in trust. Rich in stories. Rich in the moments where someone says, "I finally feel heard."

Today, as I prep for this next session, I celebrate you reading this.

You are part of that journey. Your support is felt, and your perspective is seen.

What a privilege it is to be doing this work while you are navigating your own path, too. Thank you, my friend.

PS: Tag one person below who you’ve learned a great lesson from recently. I want to celebrate them too!

Meeting culture has changed. A lot.
(Read this if you feel invisible in your own meetings)

My patience for being interrupted has dropped by 100%. My impact in the room has increased by 50% because of it.

If you’re struggling to be heard, here are 10 simple ways to protect your space.

1) Use the phrase "I’d like to finish my thought"→ Reclaims authority

2) Keep your hand slightly raised → Physical boundary
3) Lower your pitch, don't raise your volume → Calm power
4) Address the interrupter by name → Immediate focus
5) Pivot back to the value → Reminds them why you're speaking

6) Don't apologize for "continuing" → You have the floor
7) Be honest and direct → Your key differentiator
8) Have a "goal" for the meeting → Lead and inspire others
9) Focus on the decision-makers → Target your influence
10) Use "We" vs "I" → Builds team identity + loyalty

Don’t just be a participant in the meeting, be the presence instead. Connect, lead, and protect your ideas every single day.

Outlast the noise in the room this way.

In 6 months, you’ll be glad you stopped staying quiet.

PS: Which of the 10 steps above is the hardest for you? I'd say number 6 is the big one!

I’ve seen people with decades of experience lose a room in minutes.

And I’ve seen first-time managers lead without raising their voice.

Presence isn't a reward for tenure. It’s not something that automatically comes with a VP title or a 20-page slide deck.

It’s actually much simpler than that.

After years of coaching, I’ve realized that the people who "own" the room, the ones we actually listen to, usually master these three things:

They don't speak from their throat; they speak from their belly. They don't rush to fill the silence. They let their words land.

They don't fidget. They don't check their watches. They are completely, 100% present with the person in front of them. That stillness is magnetic.

They aren't there to "perform." They are there to solve a problem. When your goal is to be helpful rather than "impressive," your anxiety disappears.

I’ve watched "quiet" introverts become the most influential people in the company just by making these shifts.

The best part? You don't have to change your personality.

You just have to change how you show up.

If you’re heading into a high-stakes meeting today, remember: 

You don't need to be the most performative. You just need to be the most present.

(♻️Send this to a leader you respect.)

P.S. I used to be the person who stayed on "Mute" for the entire Zoom call. Now, I teach people how to lead them. 

What's one thing you're challenging yourself to do differently in meetings this year?

AI can write the script. But it can’t own the room.

We are officially entering the era of the "human premium."

In 2026, output is a commodity. AI can draft your strategy, summarize your 60-minute meeting into three bullet points, and ghostwrite your emails in seconds.

Speed is being automated. Knowledge is being democratized.

So, what is actually left for us?

It’s the things a machine can't simulate:

The energy you bring to a high-stakes negotiation.
The empathy that builds trust when a team is in crisis.

The presence that steadies a room before you even say a word.

This is the human premium. It is the differentiator that technology cannot replicate.

In 2026, being "productive" is just the baseline. Being present is your competitive advantage. 

Whether you’re an introvert leading from the background or an executive on a global stage, your value isn’t just in what you do; it’s in how you show up.

This year, don’t just aim to be the most efficient person in the office. Aim to be the most unforgettable.

P.S. Do you think presence is becoming more important as technology takes over, or less?

How to be the Lead Actor in an AI World.

Most people treat their year-end review like a trip to the dentist.

(Something to be endured, checked off, and forgotten by Monday.)

I just published a piece in Forbes about why this is a massive mistake for your career.

If your review is just a checklist of the past, you’ve already lost. If you want to be more visible in 2026, you have to stop "proving" and start "aligning."

In my latest article, I share how to:

Ensure your manager actually sees your value.
Use peer feedback to uncover hidden strengths.
Keep your momentum alive well into the rest of the year.

The review shouldn’t just reflect the year you had; it should shape the year you’re about to have.

Be clear → Be seen → Be unforgettable.

Read the full strategy  here: 

https://lnkd.in/gq8zTKAd

P.S. I used to be the person who "softened" my results because I didn't want to sound like I was bragging. Does talking about your own wins make you uncomfortable, too?

This is the simplest LinkedIn "hack" for quiet leaders.

Especially if you want more inbound leads.

STOP BEING A BEST-KEPT SECRET!

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say this:

I used to believe that if I just worked hard enough, the right people would eventually find me. 

→ I was brilliant but invisible. 
→ I had the expertise but no voice. 
→ I was terrified of "taking up too much space."

I almost accepted that I’d always be the last one picked for the big opportunities.

So what changed? 😊

I stopped waiting for permission to have an opinion. Within three months, my inbox looked completely different. I wasn't just getting "likes," I was getting strategic opportunities.

3 easy ways we turned "quiet expertise" into a lead-generation machine:

1) Trade "Perfection" for "Contribution." Stop trying to write a thesis. Share one unique perspective once a week. Clarity always beats volume.

2) Give your network the language to advocate for you. When you speak up, you give others the "data" they need to recommend you in rooms you aren't in yet.

3) Build a "Lighthouse," not a megaphone. You don’t have to be the loudest. You just have to be the most insightful. The bar for "noise" is high, but the bar for "intention" is wide open.

I tested this with hundreds of clients. It always works.

The data proves it: Out of 1 billion+ members on LinkedIn, only about 1% are consistently sharing their perspective.

The table is expanding, and there is a seat waiting for you.

Do with this data as you please.

Or start sharing that insight you’ve been sitting on. 😉

(Repost for the quiet leaders in your network ♻️)

P.S. Are you naturally a quiet leader or an extroverted one? I’m a "recovered" quiet leader myself.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to tackle your job hunt in 2026.

Over the last few years, so many of you have told me:

I’m struggling to get my resume past the AI “wall.”
I feel like just another number in a crowded pool.
I need a real strategy for the 2026 job market.

So we’re doing something about it!

I’m proud to be moderating the upcoming LinkedIn Live event, Robert Half Real Talk: Job Search Strategies for the AI Era.

I’ll be joined by TWO amazing, expert panelists, Paige Breedlove Fletcher and Jonathan Javier, who will pull back the curtain on what recruiters are actually looking for right now & how to stand out in this job market.

📅 Thursday, January 29 | 11:00–11:45am PT
Register: https://lnkd.in/gpGgwxPn

Join us to get the clarity and career confidence you deserve. This isn't just a panel; it’s a conversational deep dive to set you up for your future.

See you there!

Register: https://lnkd.in/gpGgwxPn

P.S. Repost to help your network grow in their career this year! ♻️

#RobertHalfPartner

Most traditional leadership advice focuses on how to be the most noticeable person in the room.

(My approach is a bit different.)

When 𝙐𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 landed on The Next Big Idea Club’s list, it confirmed what I’ve felt for a while: 

The world is looking for more depth.

I didn't write this book to help you win an argument or dominate a room. I wrote it so you could:

1) Stop performing and start leading.
2) Build trust without saying a word.
3) Own your space, even if you’re an introvert.

I wrote many of these chapters while thinking about the leaders who lead with such clarity and impact that they don't need to fight for attention.

Seeing this message reach thousands of desks is incredible.

Remember: When presence becomes your priority, authority becomes your natural state.

(♻️ Share this with someone who is building their own path to leadership.)

P.S. How do you recharge after a big meeting? I’m a "social introvert", I love the stage, but I need a quiet room and a book immediately after! 📚

January has a way of making it feel like you need to change everything at once.

But real progress rarely comes from big, dramatic overhauls. It comes from a few thoughtful upgrades — the kind that make your workdays feel clearer, more confident, and more intentional. 😊

If you’re craving momentum without burnout this year, today’s newsletter walks through a handful of small shifts that actually stick.

You don’t need to do all of them. Just pick one and start there. :) ↴

#CareerBites #careertips #newyear

Unforgettable Presence was included in Dorie Clark's recommended reads! Dorie Clark included Unforgettable Presence in her list of recommended books o

Open article: skip the resolutions. make these 3 upgrades instead. by Lorraine K. Lee • 3 min read

skip the resolutions. make these 3 upgrades instead.

One of the biggest drains on energy — especially as an introvert — isn’t workload.

It’s meetings with no purpose.
Ask me how I know. 😅

I spent years attending meetings I didn’t need to be in, finishing the day exhausted… then working on projects after hours. 😖

Here’s what I learned the hard way:
❌ You don’t build credibility by being everywhere.
✅ You build it by driving clarity and decisions.

There’s one question I now ask before every meeting — and it’s completely changed how I protect my time.

I explain the full system in today’s newsletter and what you can do to keep meetings from running your week. ⤵

#CareerBites #careertips #meetings

Career Bites Exclusive Giveaway 🎉 Were you recently laid off or looking for a new role? Superinterviews/ Sidebar is gifting my community five FREE me

Open article: your meetings are costing you hours each week by Lorraine K. Lee • 2 min read

your meetings are costing you hours each week

🔥 Hot take: If you’re waiting for your manager to “notice” your work, they probably won't.

There’s a reason some people advance faster—and it has less to do with talent than you think.

I explain what really works in this week's newsletter, so you're no longer stuck waiting for that next promotion. ⤵

#CareerBites #careertips

I’m excited to finally share a project that’s been months in the making… This course was built with you in mind based on what you share with me in you

Open article: why great work isn't enough to get promoted by Lorraine K. Lee • 3 min read

why great work isn't enough to get promoted

The last time I was here in 2019, I was filming an interview as a LinkedIn employee.

(This time, I was holding the mic as a business owner and creator.)

I still remember being full of nerves anytime I stepped in front of the camera.

Now the nerves are still there, but much quieter. 🤫

Coming back to the San Francisco office as a speaker, author, and creator felt full circle, especially sitting down to interview LinkedIn executive Catherine Fisher.

We talked about networking in the age of AI and the fundamentals that still matter, no matter how much technology evolves.

I also asked the questions I get asked most.
This time, the answers came straight from the source. :)

Watch the conversation below.

Kudos to Matt Lake for putting himself out there as he builds his career brand!

I don’t want to be here today. 

I want to be under a cozy blanket with “just one more snooze”. It’s a Friday after a holiday & it would be really easy to hit snooze until I was mad at myself for not getting up.

I remember sitting in a Bank of America conference room at a resume writing workshop with Tori Stevens & asking what my personal brand was. At the time, my answer was “nothing, indifferent, nonexistent”. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t. 

Reading Unforgettable Presence by Lorraine K. Lee reminded me of how I felt in that moment. I didn’t want that to be the case again. 

For years, I worked to transform my personal brand, and I did ok. I did some of the things that Lorraine highlights in her book, but I didn’t know how to make them stick.

Now, I’m more confident in bringing my whole self. I thought I needed the perfect image, but turns out people want to know that you’re human. I’m open with my personal struggles, my mental health struggles, but I’m showing up. 

I’ve embraced things that I enjoy, and supercharged them into career springboards. I’ve hosted panels with executives, I’ve presented new topics to new audiences as an expert & I believed that I was the expert in the room. 

My favorite chapters of this book were:

Using LinkedIn the Right Way
Supercharging Your Virtual Presentations
Making Yourself Unforgettable to Executives

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