Self Made Millennial

🍊FREE JOB SEARCH MASTERCLASS
Hear about my highly acclaimed Job Shopping strategies that show you how to attract inbound job opportunities, ace the interview, and earn job offers. Register for this FREE masterclass to learn the secret strategies to land your dream job!
🔸Register here: https://www.selfmadeway.com/job-shopping-webinar1665165710596 

🍊COACHING SERVICES: Job Search Coaching:
🔸Learn more: https://madelinemann.com/coaching

🍊FREE LINKEDIN MASTERCLASS
Skyrocket your visibility on LinkedIn to attract clients, jobs, and speaking opportunities. Register for this free class to see how I have trained hundreds of people to attract opportunities while they sleep:
🔸GO HERE: https://www.theselfmademillennial.com/linkedin 

🍊FREE RESUME MASTERCLASS
Learn my proprietary resume system that has gotten SO MANY people jobs! Register in an upcoming session: https://www.standoutresume.com/webinar  

🍊FREE RESOURCES
🔸Get your free Follow Up Email Templates - Finally hear back when your job interviews have stalled! Grab them here:
https://madelinemann.ck.page/206ee1f433

🍊HELPFUL CONTENT
Check out my hours of career content:
🔸Hit "follow" on LinkedIn
🔸YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/selfmademillennial
🔸TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/se5UF8/

🔸Visit my website for more resources and to get in touch: www.madelinemann.com

CEO | Career Coach

Spotify

I was chosen as the first job search instructor for the new course platform developed on Spotify. The course is currently limited to a small number of countries, but is scheduled for a global roll out over time!

Job Search Instructor

Penguin Random House

Published author for "Reverse the Search: How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping"

In Reverse the Search, former HR recruiter Madeline Mann redefines the traditional job search, moving away from mass applications and dead-end interview processes. Mann introduces her Job Shopping approach, where job seekers become job shoppers, attracting opportunities instead of chasing them.

Readers will learn how to:

🍊Passively attract job opportunities by showcasing their brand online and having companies come to them.
🍊Transform interviews into mutual conversations, positioning themselves as a top candidate while getting companies to sell them on the job.
🍊Focus on high-impact job search actions, reducing the need for endless applications and interviews by targeting efforts where they count.
🍊Secure competitive offers without aggressive negotiations, even in crowded markets.


With practical advice, Mann shows how to take control of the job search process and get results in today’s competitive job market.

Author

LinkedIn

I have 4 LinkedIn Learning Courses. Additionally, I am a LinkedIn Top Voice.

1. “How to Follow Up on a Job Application”

It is for you if you...

🍊 Have applied & never heard back
🍊 Were disappointed by a hiring freeze
🍊 Had an interview and then the company went silent
🍊 Were rejected but want a second chance

100+ 5 star reviews!

Watch: https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/share?forceAccount=false&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Flearning%2Fhow-to-follow-up-on-a-job-application%3Ftrk%3Dshare_ent_url%26shareId%3DP%252B%252B4gBKMTTy%252FDjCtbpCSuQ%253D%253D

2.  Job Interview Nano Tips with Madeline Mann 

What do you say when a job interviewer asks what kind of salary you’re looking for? Does it matter what you wear for a job interview? How should you follow up after an interview? These are all questions that have been plaguing job interviewees for decades. And in this age of business-casual attire, working from home, and job interviews over video call, the answers are trickier than ever to nail down. In this series of microlearning videos, Madeline Mann covers the important questions many job interviewees ask themselves, providing quick, to-the-point answers.

Watch here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/share?forceAccount=false&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Flearning%2Fjob-interview-nano-tips-with-madeline-mann%3Ftrk%3Dshare_ent_url%26shareId%3DsgR7jHApQWSWR5qLDP1qGw%253D%253D

3. Strategies for Your First 90 Days in a New Job - https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/share?forceAccount=false&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Flearning%2Fstrategies-for-your-first-90-days-in-a-new-job%3Ftrk%3Dshare_ent_url%26shareId%3DQtlgOLVPSNO4jxPMmVeVlg%253D%253D

4. How to Create a Video Resume - https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/share?forceAccount=false&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Flearning%2Fcreating-a-video-resume%3Ftrk%3Dshare_ent_url%26shareId%3DmawOWtPeTI%252BfnWmH4d3hvw%253D%253D

LinkedIn Learning Instructor

Inspire

Sr. Manager, Talent Development

I was hired as the first Talent Development leader to build the learning and engagement function from the ground up for our multiple offices, both remote and in-person. 

The team I lead keys into the business priorities, builds learning experiences to amplify the superpowers of the organization, and crafts engagement experiences to retain and celebrate the employees who achieve incredible results. We have such a blast making Inspire a place where people feel connected and are stretched to reach new heights.

• Crafted a development plan for leaders and high potentials to bring them the right growth opportunities, including launching a COVID-19 "Leading During the Outbreak" program just 1 week into quarantine

• Reimagined the onboarding process in a way that scales and reduced ramp-up time to understand the business from 1+ years to 90 days

• Architected a 5 day retreat for 130+ attendees that drove major business objectives & is consistently named as the top memory by those employees on their anniversaries

• Owned the All Company Meetings and revamped the format & branding to enhance the business impact of the meeting, and coached the executive team members on talking points & facilitation skills to create a more interactive & impactful presentation

• Crafted & facilitated a 3-part Feedback Training that resulted in an increase from 62% to 89% in confidence in their ability to care personally while challenging directly

• Integrated design thinking practices to craft best in class hiring, onboarding, engagement, and inclusion experiences.

• Built & led monthly Lunch & Learn program, which regularly garners 30%+ employee attendance, and serves as an enriching opportunity for individuals to share their expertise with the organization

• Won "Rookie of the Year" at the 2019 All Company Retreat, one of 6 performance-based awards given out annually

• Created the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training strategy and executed a 3-part immersive program

Talent Development Manager

Gem HQ

Promoted in Oct. 2017

At Gem, I partnered with leadership to grow the organization and meet goals. My top focuses were to build out a culture that attracts the right people, and then through information collecting, testing, and iterating, build retention initiatives that go beyond flashy perks. But don't take my word for it, read the recommendations of my colleagues at the bottom of my profile!

Some key accomplishments:
•	Directly advised the CEO and Board of Directors on employee issues and initiatives on a recurring basis, and was the guide through difficult legal and personnel situations.
•	Scaled engineering team to double the size & structured team to allow for internal promotion and role growth.
•	Built compensation philosophy and framework for performance evaluation which led to more objective and faster compensation reviews.
•	Implemented in-depth original survey to uncover employee motivators, leading us to reallocate $40k in funds to more impactful retention initiatives.
•	Managed all aspects of HR: Organizational development, culture, learning & development, recruiting, benefits, compensation, & onboarding.


Gem believes every person is valuable. We build people-centric products driving the movement to a new decentralized economy that values people over institutions. Gem’s all-in-one cryptocurrency platform brings crypto enthusiasts confidence and delight in managing their digital assets, and helps them fully experience the New Economy.

The platform gives consumers a single entry point for tracking all of their crypto investments and net worth, a universal secure wallet, curated discovery of new tokens and decentralized apps, and a connection to the larger crypto community.

Director of People Operations

Human Resources / Culture / Organizational Development / Recruitment / Learning and Development

I was hired as Gem's first HR leader to build out all the processes from the ground up.

My 5 key focus areas were:

•	Grow Gem through org development and planning
•	Cultivate the company culture 
•	Optimize talent acquisition
•	Enrich the onboarding and employee development programs
•	Conduct all functions of Human Resources

Key Accomplishments:
•	Surfaced a lack of direct feedback on the team, and crafted a 6 week facilitation. 62% satisfaction at onset changed to 91% at the end, featured on RadicalCandor.com and SHRM.
•	Crafted the company values with the CEO, built processes to instill them, leading to better hiring decisions, powerful employee unity, shared language around standards, and 96% rating on the statement “I know what it means to be a culture fit at Gem.” 
•	Created a more rigorous process for evaluating headcount to tie hiring goals to ROI and data.

People Operations Manager

Scopely

International mobile games publisher - 1,200+ employees and rapidly growing.

•	Lead New Hire Onboarding: coordinate with managers, plan orientations, collect feedback
•	Conduct 360 Degree Feedback Program
•	Develop surveys and track employee data
•	Implement training initiatives
•	Manage the Mentorship, Leadership and Buddy Programs/Process Continue to innovate these programs and come up with new initiatives to help build community
•	Work with managers to create growth tracks for their teams
•	Facilitate the tri-annual People Review Process (gather data, ask managers for feedback, recommendations for salary/compensation/title adjustments)
•	Organized career development days featuring mentors from Google, Facebook, Snapchat, Hulu, Netflix, and more. 
•	Handle immigration process: Work with Immigration attorneys, filling H1Bs, TNs, OPTs, Transfers 
•	Work with the Culture Team to implement culture initiatives and plan events
•	Administer payroll and benefits

Human Resources Specialist

University of Southern California

•	Served as part of the admissions board and Professional Board of Advisors for USC's Master's of Applied Psychology Program

USC Admissions Committee Member

UCSD Guardian Newspaper

•	Designed and implemented a new training program that improved writer performance and strengthened their sense of community 
•	Coached editors on retention strategies
•	Documented all practices to create a repeatable hiring, orientation, and training methodology
•	Revamped the recruitment plan, resulting in twice the typical number of applicants 
•	Created a uniform hiring process across all areas of the organization

Managing Editor - Jan 2011 – March 2012  /  Opinion Editor - Sept 2010 – Jan 2011

Training and Development Manager

Turning Job Seekers into Job Shoppers 🍊 | Your Fairy Job Mother | Career Strategist featured on ABC, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal | Creator of Self Made Millennial | Job Search & Career Coach | LinkedIn Trainer

📙 Grab your copy of Reverse the Search (Coming April 1 2025: ReverseTheSearch.com)

It's time to go job shopping!

I work with clients who are not looking to land any old job. They want to land the RIGHT job.

Because you may have experienced that:

🍊You find the jobs you want are often filled before they barely hit job boards.
🍊You know that you are well qualified for roles, but if your experience isn't a perfect fit, you don't hear back 
🍊You know you have great value, but don't always know the right way to seal the deal to get the offer.

I have the Job Shopping System that has landed thousands of people jobs that light them UP.

Let's land you that career-defining job, shall we?

Here are resources: 

🍊COACHING SERVICES: Job Search Coaching:
🔸Learn more: https://madelinemann.com/coaching

🍊FREE LINKEDIN MASTERCLASS
Skyrocket your visibility on LinkedIn to attract clients, jobs, and speaking opportunities. Register for this free class to see how I have trained hundreds of people to attract opportunities while they sleep:
🔸GO HERE: https://www.theselfmademillennial.com/linkedin 

🍊FREE RESUME MASTERCLASS
Learn my proprietary resume system that has gotten SO MANY people jobs! Register in an upcoming session: https://www.standoutresume.com/webinar 

🍊HELPFUL CONTENT
Check out my hours of career content:
🔸Hit "follow" on LinkedIn
🔸YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/selfmademillennial
🔸TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/se5UF8/
🔸Visit my website for more resources and to get in touch: www.madelinemann.com

🍊 Here's a bio, in case you were looking for one:

Madeline Mann is an HR & Recruiting leader and the author of Reverse the Search, who spun her insider knowledge of the hiring process into an award-winning career coaching empire, called Self Made Millennial, where she has reached millions.

Through her platforms and coaching, Mann works to turn job seekers into Job Shoppers, enabling any professional to land high-paying job offers, with many landing roles at competitive Fortune 500 companies.

Mann has been featured in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and ABC News, and is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice.

Madeline Mann

If your resume reads like a detailed record of your entire career, it’s time to make some edits.

Here’s how to fix it:

🍊 Put the job title you’re targeting right under your name. It instantly tells the hiring manager that you’re in the right place.

🍊Make the first bullet point in every section be the one most relevant to the role you're applying for 

(Not simply the most impressive thing you did or the thing you did most often).

Most recruiters never read beyond it.

And yes, that means your most impressive accomplishment might not even make the cut.

🍊 Delete resume bullets.

If it doesn’t directly address a skill that the job is asking for, delete it.

A resume isn’t about showing everything you’ve done.

It’s about showing you’re the right fit for this job.

PS - If your resume isn’t getting as many interviews, I have seen what is actually working in this job market. I created the free “Resume Revamp Masterclass,” The link is in the comments! 

Remember, your resume should read like a highlight reel built for one specific role.

#hiring #jobsearch #resume

HR & Recruiting Leader - Author of “Reverse the Search” | Featured on ABC, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal | Creator of Self Made Millennial the Job Shopping Method | Job Search & Career Coach

“Are you interviewing elsewhere?” - There's one answer to this question.

Many people panic when asked this in a job interview, thinking that if they say yes, the company will lose interest. 

It's actually the opposite.

The answer to this question is: Yes.

Companies want candidates who are in demand.

If you’re getting interviews, it signals that your skills are valuable and others see your potential, too.

You’re not being disloyal by interviewing elsewhere. You’re a professional exploring opportunities, exactly what strong candidates do.

If they ask which types of roles, keep your answer consistent with the one you’re applying for. 

And if you’re interviewing with a well-known company, name dropping it  can actually make you more appealing.

And if you haven’t had any other interviews yet, you can still say:

“I’m in the early stages right now.”

PS: I have a free Unshakable Interviews Masterclass that ​teaches you how to answer tough, vague, or unexpected questions without missing a beat.

I'll link it in the comment section!

Don't fear this question!

#humanresources #hiringandpromotion #leadership

Your first interview with a company has the most predictable formula. Here’s what they’ll ask and how to ace it.

Save this guide on what you need to do.

🍊PS: I've created a free Job Shopping Masterclass that reveals the secrets of successful job seekers and shows you how to become an irresistible candidate.

You can watch it for free by clicking the link in my comment section.

I've also linked free follow-up email templates below.

#Career #JobSearch #Interview #HR

Here's your end-of-year job strategy checklist:

🍊Revisit your career goals and set new ones.

🍊Update your resume with new skills and experience.

🍊Use the holidays to reach out to people in your network.

🍊Ask your boss for any feedback or constructive criticism so you can course-correct over the next few months.

🍊If you're aiming to grow within your current company, try to get noticed by key executives to secure a stellar annual review.

🍊Don't forget to ask your supervisors and managers for positive recommendations and, even better, get it in writing!

🍊Keep a record of your standout achievements and moments where you went above and beyond.

🍊Compile a list of all the reasons you deserve that promotion, raise, and a big end-of-year bonus. 📈

Make the most of this month!

Embrace this time as your opportunity for growth and success.

PS: If you're currently job hunting, I have a job search quiz that helps you uncover the missing pieces in your job search. The link is in my comment section. 

#leadership #hiring #jobsearch

If you've ever been stumped by the "What's your greatest weakness?" question in a job interview...

Here's a simple way to answer it.

Swipe for a step-by-step guide and an example.

After reading this, you might even start hoping interviewers ask you this question!

🍊P.S. If you want a personalized report to help you land more job offers, I created a job search quiz to help you on your way!

The link is in my comment section.

#hiring #jobsearch #jobseekers

December can feel like a throwaway month.

Work slows down, people are on holiday mode, and it’s tempting to coast.

But this is actually one of the best times to move your career forward quietly.

You don’t need to hustle through the holidays. 

But here are a few low lift things you can do:

🍊Take time to reflect.

Notice what energized you this year and what drained you.

🍊Reconnect with people.

A quick “Happy Holidays” message or a short note of appreciation can go further than you think.

What I like to do is update people on how I've been doing this year, shoot them a digital Christmas card, and open a dialogue for them to do the same. 

🍊And if you can, pay it forward.

Offer to review a friend’s resume, make an intro, or simply encourage someone who’s in a tough season. 

Give back and end the year on a happy serotonin kick. 

You’ll end the year stronger and start the next one with momentum.

PS: If you're currently job hunting, check out my book "Reverse the search." It teaches you high-impact job search actions, reducing the need for endless applications and interviews.

I'll link it in my comment section!

#recruiting #career #lookingforjob

Raise your hand if you went into your “dream” career, only to be royally disappointed 🙋‍♀️

You had an idea of what the career was going to be like.

But the real job was different.

Such as people who like animals become veterinarians.

Only to realize they spend more of their time evaluating what is the least expensive solution to keep an animal alive with humans, instead of spending time with animals.

Actors spend most of their careers auditioning, not performing.

Interior designers spend so many hours finding clients - often more than designing spaces.

This applies to freelancers, coaches, and designers, too. The work is your craft, but your career is often sales.

If you’ve ever realized your “dream job” wasn’t what you expected, you’re not alone.

So many of us go into the wrong career because we think that the job is different than what we expected.

If you need guidance on picking the right job, I have a Job Shopping masterclass that can help!

The link is in my comments! 

Understanding the real day-to-day of a role is the fastest way to find a career that actually fits.

#TangerineTips #Jobinterviews #jobsearch

I've been given several raises in my career without asking for them.

It felt incredible.

I felt appreciated.

When someone is a high performer, let's show them some love in the form of $$$.

Don't make them beg for years.

And don't let them resort to leaving.

🍊PS: If you're currently job seeking, check out my book "Reverse the Search." It dives deep into Job Shopping strategies and how to secure competitive offers without aggressive negotiations, even in crowded markets. Linked in the comments.

#recruiting #career #lookingforjob

When interviewers ask, “How do you prioritize your work?” most candidates start spinning a word salad:

“I have a notebook… I use a project management software…”

It’s fine, but it’s forgettable.

What they really want to know: 

Are you organized? Can you handle competing priorities?

The best way to answer this is to give a real example.

For instance:

“Last month I had three projects with the same deadline. I broke each project into key milestones, scheduled time blocks, and communicated updates to stakeholders. That way, everything stayed on track, and nothing slipped through the cracks.”

You're giving a real world example, and they go, wow, this person is organized.

PS: I have a free Unshakable Interviews Masterclass that ​teaches you how to answer tough, vague, or unexpected questions without missing a beat.

I'll link it in the comment section!

Remember, interviewers remember stories, not descriptive answers.

#humanresources #hiringandpromotion #leadership

One way interviews are getting VERY common. Here is how to ace them.

HireVue is one of the main platforms that does one  way interviews.

The way it works is the video is for recruiters to watch, and the transcript is for AI to evaluate.

Therefore, focus on having high energy and speaking naturally (not from a script) so that recruiters don’t quickly skip your video.

Then for the transcript evaluated by AI, focus on practicing the common questions asked in these interviews (I included them in this video).

Additionally, HireVue evaluates candidates in other ways:
🍊 Games - timed games that measure things like memory, spatial reasoning, and logic.
🍊 Skill tests - like finding errors in information, reading ability, and code challenges.
🍊 Personality assessments - respond to statements that then create a personality profile.
🍊 Qualification questions  - answering things like: how many years of experience do you have in sales?

What a world we are living in. Interviewing is shifting BIG TIME.

But the strategies in this video are proven to help a lot.

Have you ever done a one way interview?

Open video: Don’t Take a HireVue One Way Interview Until You See This on youtu.be

Don’t Take a HireVue One Way Interview Until You See This

Paul Upton

LeaderUP

👉 Message me on LinkedIn

I am one of the few career coaches who has Fortune 50 leadership & hiring manager experience. This gives me the perspective to know exactly what hiring managers (not just recruiters) are looking for in a Manager, Director, VP+, how to stand out, and what it really takes to be a top 1% Leader & Candidate!

I have partnered with recruiters, HR leaders, hiring managers, and leaders to understand and distill the most important qualities and traits of successful leaders and how to find these in candidates and develop them in leaders. 

Through all this and hundreds of interviews, I have learned what the Top 1% of candidates do and built a system that works to help leaders, aspiring leaders, and high performers learn these skills and get the jobs & opportunities they really deserve!

► I help YOU master YOUR resume + LinkedIn so you STAND OUT and get NOTICED

► I help YOU learn how to ROCK your interviews and build real, memorable connections with hiring managers & GET OFFERS!

► I help YOU learn the skills to negotiate like a PRO to get the best total compensation package possible

► I really care. My sole reason for LeaderUP is to help YOU find success and fulfillment in your career. Success YOU DESERVE and have earned by working harder, learning more, and putting in the effort to SUCCEED!

I have created the LevelUP Leadership Top 1% Candidate Coaching Program to help leaders get promoted and land their dream jobs using Top 1% Applicant Strategies, leveraging the top SECRETS learned from Expert Resume Writers, Recruiters, Hiring Managers, Leaders, and Top Candidates, as well as many failures, successes, and continuous improvement!

► LevelUP Leadership Top 1% Candidate Coaching Program

MESSAGE me on LinkedIn to learn more and how I can help you!
Email me at Leaderup.Program@gmail.com

Founder, CEO & Chief Career Officer - Career Expert | Career Success Coach | Leadership Coach

MTFH Solutions

Making the Future Happen Solutions was created to help move forward innovative ideas, services, minds and leaders. More info coming soon!

Feel free to reach out directly for more details, we look forward to potentially working with you!

Current Focus Areas Includes:
- Consulting Services
- Leadership/Executive Coaching
- Pre Sales, Sales Strategy & Execution
- Start-up Coaching & Mentoring

Founder & CEO - Lead Consultant & Managing Principal

CenturyLink

Was recruited and brought in to lead the transformation organization of over 150+, consisting of 3 main groups the Data Science & AI/ML team, Business Transformation & Portfolio Management team and lastly the System, Tools and Integrations team. Tasked with using data, automation, cutting-edge innovative technologies to transform the way Lumen North American operations operate.

Scope included all Copper and Fiber networks, national and international, consumer as well as enterprise products and solutions.

Our task was simple, to plan, execute and deliver large-scale transformation efforts, removing over $200M of cost savings and revenue acceleration per year. The complexity came in how to actually do this, having a laser-sharp focus on execution and delivering results, while fostering & maintaining the culture and spirit of innovation.

This included partnering, pushing the limits and innovating with the best minds, companies and consultants in the industry!

Executive Director Transformation & North America Operations

Comcast

Tapped to do what I did in the Xfinity Mobile organization but across all of Comcast's Products and Operations, including TV, Internet, Voice, Xfinity Mobile, Xfinity Home and more.

This new role expanded responsibilities and direct leadership of two additional teams, managing all digital data operations and Adobe Website Tagging and Analytics for all of Comcast Cable.

Consumer Experience Transformation - Director Strategic Enablement and Data Operations

SCOPE:  All of XM Operations | Strategy and Innovation for Data, Product, Design, UX, Customer Support, Retail and Marketing to take the business to the next level |  Delivery of Operational & Data Solutions | Customer Experience Insights and Customer Journey Deep-dives

◾️ Tasked with transforming XM to be customer focused and data driven in all our operational and strategic decisions

◾️ Built out the strategy, plan, change management and delivery of this vision:
      ◽️  Created processes, capabilities and building out a team to enable our data first goals
      ◽️  Defined Requirements, Building ETL and Aggregating OMNI Channel Customer Experience Data
      ◽️  Made data relevant, error free, available, understandable and giving access to everyone in XM
      ◽️  Identified, built and launched tools to enable self-serve analytics & insights
      ◽️  Established structured listening mechanisms to understand what’s most important to our customers 

◾️ Identified and quantified our top business-wide opportunities in our customer experiences and operations

◾️ Delivering cross functional programs and strategic solutions to the top issues across XM saving over $5M annually

Xfinity Mobile - Director Customer Experience Delivery, Operations and Analytics

SCOPE: National Responsibility | +5 major annual programs | $150M Budget | 18 matrixed reports | Leadership of Strategy & Operations of 5,000 Security Technicians | Quality & Performance of Over +600,000 Installations/year

◾️	Lead capital and opex programs to drive key operational and quality metrics including: Tech Availability, DOJ Tech & Order Support, Repeat Rates M1 Churn, Time in Home and NPS, Customer Experience & Install Quality

◾️	Develop requirements for new products and product enhancements based on field, customer insights & NPS data

◾️	Manage field launch of new products, development of install processes and quality controls for professionally installed XH products to drive improved customer experience, NPS and truck roll & call reduction 

Key Achievements:
◾️	DROVE QUALITY & REDUCED CHURN: Designed new metrics, led and nationally launched updates to the installation verification score (IVS 2.0) run on every install, utilizing a structured change management approach.
◽️	Reduced M1 Churn by 50 bps and drove 65% increase in mobile app downloads on day of job
◽️	68% improvement in sensor signal strength quality on new installs, reducing M1 Calls & Truck Rolls
◽️	Developed a dashboard in Tableau for field leads to improve management and performance of KPIs

◾️	REDESIGNED INSTALL PROCESS & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: Led strategy, planning and execution of the initial Perfect Install Program to review the end-to-end sales through installation experience.
◽️	Program delivered 20+ recommendations and 11 core projects to improve the Tech & Customer Experience

◾️	IMPROVED AVAILABILITY & PRODUCTIVITY: Drove the best 0-5 day tech availability and average time to install results in XH history EOY 2017 through strategic project planning & execution 

◾️	REDUCED DEFECTS: Reduced 37% of calls through root cause analysis of DOJ Tech call data, development of solutions and support of the program management of 3 functional work streams.

Xfinity Home - Sr. Manager Tech Operations and Strategy

Verizon

SCOPE: 8 Core Verizon Telecom Functions | 11 major programs | $400M Reduction Goal | 5 Matrixed Leads & 9 indirect reports | Business Transformation Project & Program Lead | Large Scale Change Management & Execution

▪	Internal business consultant working with executive leaders to drive large scale growth & opex reduction programs

▪	Led matrixed & cross-functional teams focused on strategic process, functional and organizational changes and transformational improvements contributing to deliver over $21.5M in hard savings in 2016 and projected $120M.

▪	Led, co-facilitated and participated in over 12 Kaizen and Lean Six Sigma workshops

Key Achievements:
◾️	TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT: Transformation program lead to reduce $1B of WIP to over $400M and intervals from 229 days to 69 days, involving over 8 functional organizations.
◽️	Lead one program pillar and 5 key solution teams to re-engineer project creation, engineering milestones, automation, triggers and KPI’s to reduce +60 days in process time and $16.1M in hard savings.
◽️	Completed complex financial and operational analyses used to develop the strategy, scope and benefits of this large scale executive sponsored initiative.

◾️	DEVICE QUALITY MANAGEMENT: Successfully led a DMAIC program to create and implement a new vendor centric method of testing and validating products, platforms and services reducing overall testing durations and defects by over 75% and an estimated yearly savings of $4.4M.
◽️	All previous attempts had been unsuccessful due to system, reporting and organizational complexities.

◾️	DEVELOPED LEADERS: Coached 3 Green Belts on LSS methodology, tools and project management practices to successfully complete DMAIC and DMADV (Design) projects, leading to two of these green belts becoming fully certified and promoted to full-time black belt roles.

Business Transformation - Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

3rd Rotation - Verizon Leadership Program

SCOPE: Led Prepaid, Tablet Internet Channels, Chat Strategy & Execution and Advanced Analytics & Customer Insights

◾️	OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Designed and led a prepaid chat project to utilize specialized sales chat reps on prepaid pages resulting in a 27% gross add lift and improved customer satisfaction ratings. 

◾️	VENDOR & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: Led vendor management, project design, compensation model, training, implementation strategy and execution for the Verizon Wireless Sales Chat Program 

◾️	BIG DATA: Led BlueKai and Big Data adoption at VZW and developed strategic A/B testing for personalization and landing page optimization utilizing MECLABS, resulting in 20% lift in high-value customer segments.

Internet Sales, Marketing, Chat Strategy and Operations

2nd Rotation - Verizon Leadership Program

SCOPE: Led cell site planning & capacity for over 1200 sites, $400M in assets and $50M in mass calling event initiatives

◾️	BUDGET & FORECASTING: Led mass calling events planning for all of Houston-Gulf Coast region including network capacity planning, budgeting and equipment dimensioning of 85 events / event areas and over $50M in resources and assets.

◾️	CREATIVE INNOVATION: Saved over $9M by leveraging current assets in the maintenance of ALL HGC cell site’s CE, 1X, EvDO and backhaul capacity.
◽️	Co-led 2012-2015 LTE Interface capacity planning of over 1200 NB sites, sector-splits, and small cells.

Traffic, Capacity and Data Performance Engineering

1st Rotation - Verizon Development Program

◾️	ROLE 1 - Led new features, products, quality, reliability and customer experience of the FiOS product
◾️	ROLE 2 - Led the launch, operations, expansion, automation and performance of FiOS Self Install initiative

◾️	OPERATIONS LEAD: Created and led operational activities for the FiOS self-install project which directly led to reaching stretch goals of 11,000 self-installs acceptances by EOY 2011 and an expense savings of over $1.6M. 
◽️	Developed processes, call scripts, M&P’s, trained & led two out-bound call centers for self-install options
◽️	Led transitional & automation efforts of the self-install initiative to improve and scale this project nationally to a projected 70,000 self-installs by EOY 2012 and yearly savings of over $25M.

◾️	QUALITY, RELIABILITY & NEW PRODUCTS: Supported the launch of new FiOS products and improved quality & reliability of existing products and services reducing calls, truck rolls and customer affecting issues by over 40%; including X-box streaming, MRDVR, Flexview enhancements, widgets, Samsung Streaming, MoCA 2.0, MPEG4 and IPTV.

In Home Network Engineer & National Operations Special Assignment

McCreary Roofing Company Inc

•	OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE: Increased speed and accuracy of all new jobs and bid requests by 40% by standardizing the work flow process & increased productivity by implementing a Microsoft Access Database

•	MARKETING INNOVATION: Created a new value added marketing plan & bid presentation pamphlet resulting in 35% lift on accepted jobs.

Engineering, Marketing and Sales Lead

GE Transportation

◾️	BUSINESS PROPOSALS: Managed engineering technical proposals for new and existing markets including the Freightliner Guinea ES44ACi Locomotive worth over $40M; Co-managed all Superskids for ASIA & Russia

◾️	VENDOR & SUPPLIER OPTIMIZATION: Led a cost-benefit proposal to re-engineer GE equivalents to 14 Union Pacific cables, projected to reduce replacement cable costs and lost productivity time by 45%.

Locomotive Proposals Engineer

◾️	LEADERSHIP ROTATIONS: Completed 5 functional rotations in Material, Process, Lean, Quality and Engineering

◾️	PROCESS INNOVATION: Developed and successfully implemented a comprehensive material management and inventory tracking system utilizing Lean Kanban and JIT strategies to systematically automate inventory management resulting in a yearly savings of over $15M. 
◽️	Consolidated over 800 parts and eliminated an average of +5 hours and ~3.5 takt stopping shortages per/wk.

◾️	PROCESS AUTOMATION: Created a material-tracking and process tool that identified and prioritized backlogged high profile items in a continuously moving lean line resulting in Maincab ending 2nd Qrt 2008 on schedule for the first time in over 3 years.

◾️	SAFETY & ERGONOMICS: Led safety and ergonomic projects including installation of pneumatic vices to eliminate 90% of repetitive motion and increasing productivity by nearly 50%.

Manufacturing and Operations Lead

Want to get to your next Career Level? Or into a role you'll Love? ◆ We help you get there! | Sr. Leads ► Managers ► Directors ► Exec Directors | $150K/$250K/$500K+ Jobs

"With no exaggeration- Paul and the LeaderUP program changed my life!" – James
(See more in recommendations)

👉 Message me on LinkedIn

Why Senior Leads, Managers, Directors & VPs choose to work with me:
▶️ You want to break into your next leadership role, get promoted, or move to a promotional opportunity. Maybe you are seeking to break into your next level or senior leadership.

▶️ You're stuck in your current role, not much company growth, or growth opportunities. Or you do not like your current company/role and want to find a better one and level up your career to the one you deserve!

▶️ You're in a job search, you know you are good, but something is missing, you are not getting interviews, or are not getting offers!

▶️ You're tired of being frustrated & wasting time!

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞: I've spent the last 14+ years working at top Fortune 100 companies.
◾️ 10+ jobs over this time and 2 highly competitive leadership programs
◾️ 7 times promoted/found promotional opportunities (often they found me)
◾️ Most recently an executive director at a telecom leading an organization of 150+ people.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝:
◾️ What it really takes to stand out in the Top 1% of leaders
◾️ How to be a great leader and more importantly how to develop this in others
◾️ How to hire the best, I've done over 500+ interviews and hired multiple high performing 10X teams

I am one of the few career coaches who has leadership/hiring manager experience and knows what they are looking for!

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒!

I have put these learnings together and have created the 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐔𝐏 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐨𝐩 1% 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 to help leaders and aspiring leaders reach the next level and land their dream jobs/promotions. 

Are you someone who wants...
✅Wants more MONEY, TIME, FLEXIBILITY, and GROWTH?
✅Gets multiple offers and CHOOSES the best one for them?

And would rather...
✅Follow a proven step-by-step process that works!
✅With the 1:1 support, you need along the way!
✅That takes 70% less time & effort and 99% less frustration!
✅And finally, get that dream job that they deserve and are excited to jump out of bed for?

► LeaderUP Job Offer System & Coaching Program -  Reach out to learn more!

👉 Learn more: message me!

I watched a leader win a room with just one joke. Authority can start with a laugh.

Most people think power comes from speaking first, leading with big ideas, or taking charge.

But the truth is: the person who can make a room laugh, even once, changes the energy completely.

You see it happen-

• The tension fades
• People lean in
• The leader becomes more likable, more trusted, more heard

Humor is not a “bonus.” It’s a core tool for influence.

Here’s what I’ve learned from coaching hundreds of leaders:

• You don’t need to be the expert on every topic
• You don’t have to know all the answers
• You do need to connect-fast

Levity does that. One moment of warmth, a quick joke, or even making fun of yourself (I’ve shared my own missteps many times) opens people up.

Leaders who use humor-especially self-deprecating humor-show they are human. They earn respect not by being perfect, but by being real.

But here’s the twist-

If you’re low status, humor is riskier. It can backfire. That’s why building trust and connection matters first.

Still, every group has a shifting status hierarchy. You can raise your status by asking good questions, showing you care, and using humor to break boredom.

Authority is not only about being right. It’s about making people feel seen, safe, and ready to follow.

If you want to influence, start with a laugh. Then listen. Then ask the right questions.

What would change in your career if you led with connection instead of control?

3 years stuck. 12 rejections. Zack kept asking, what am I doing wrong?

He followed every rule.

Worked harder than anyone.
Delivered 30% over target.
Took every high-profile project.
Built skills nobody else had.

His reviews? Stellar.
His bonuses? Impressive.
His promotions? Nonexistent.

Managers kept saying, “Be patient.”
Feedback was always vague.
“Not quite executive material.”
“Need more seasoning.”
“Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Zack felt trapped.
He did everything right.
Still, doors stayed closed.

The truth is:
Performance was not his problem.
Positioning was.

LeaderUP’s assessment showed what was hiding in plain sight.

He spoke as a specialist, not a leader.
His resume listed effort but not impact.
He solved problems but didn’t move strategy.
He was seen as reliable, not visionary.

The better he got at his job, the more they kept him in it.

LeaderUP helped him break the pattern.

We identified the leadership stories he never told.
We reframed his wins to spotlight business results.
We changed how he spoke to executives.
We built his authentic leadership voice.

Twelve weeks later:

He interviewed for Senior Director.
They made a new role just for him.
His pay jumped 45%.
His team size tripled.

The lesson?

Excellence alone won’t get you promoted.
You must be seen as a leader before you get the title.

The system is built to keep high performers in place.

If you don’t position yourself differently, you hit the same ceiling again and again.

What invisible ceiling is holding you back?

Comment “CEILING” if you want to learn how to position yourself for your next level.

Most leaders rate their career a 4 out of 10.  
They still tell themselves “I’m fine.”

We talk to leaders every day.  
When we ask them to rate their career from 1–10, most land between 1 and 6.

Here is the problem.

You spend most of your waking life there.  
In the 1–6 zone.  
In “it’s fine” land.

You tell yourself:

- The pay is okay  
- The team is okay  
- The stress is “normal”  
- The Sunday dread is “part of the job”

You stop asking what you are capable of.  
You start asking what you can tolerate.

But there is no passion in playing small.  
No energy in a life below your level.  
No joy in a career that drains you more than it grows you.

When leaders come to us, they say:

- “I feel stuck.”  
- “I know I can do more.”  
- “I do not see a path up here.”  
- “I am tired of calling this ‘fine’.”

Here is what changes when you stop settling:

- You get clear on what a 9 or 10 looks like  
- You target roles that match your level and your values  
- You stop waiting for your company to wake up  
- You start leading your own career

You do not need perfect timing.  
You need a decision.

A decision to stop spending most of your time in a 4 out of 10 life.

How long have you been telling yourself “I’m fine” when you know you are not?

No alternative text description for this image

I stopped trying to be perfect in interviews. I started listening instead. That’s when the offers came.

Picture this-70 interviews, zero offers. Each one felt like an exam. I studied, rehearsed, tried to give flawless answers. I left every room feeling defeated.

The truth is: interviews are not tests. They are conversations.

What changed everything for me?

I heard: “People don’t hire skills. They hire humans they trust.”

That hit hard. I realized my mistake. I was trying to impress, not connect.

I shifted my approach:

• I asked what THEY needed
• I listened to their biggest challenges
• I made it about THEM, not me

Instead of performing, I connected. Instead of reciting, I listened.

Next 5 interviews?

4 offers. No change to resume. No fancy script. Just a new mindset.

Here’s what matters:

→ If you’re in the interview chair, you are already qualified
→ Rapport wins over rehearsed answers
→ Solve THEIR problem-not your anxiety about being perfect

Hiring managers want someone who understands, not just someone who answers.

I built the LeaderUP Interview System around this truth. It’s helped me-and hundreds of clients-stand out and get offers, fast.

Your resume gets you in the room. The way you connect gets you the job.

How do you approach tough interviews? Has connection helped you stand out?

I watched others get promoted while I waited.  
Then I changed my approach-and my career exploded.

Here’s what no one told me:

• Hard work alone does not get you noticed  
• Loyalty does not guarantee progress  
• Job boards rarely deliver real results

Most people do what they know:  
• Polish the resume  
• Send more applications  
• Wait for luck to show up

But waiting is not a strategy.

When I wanted to break out, I did what top leaders do:

1) Get clear on your VALUE  
→ Write down three true strengths (no buzzwords)  
→ Ask trusted peers how you drive impact  
→ Figure out what sets you apart

2) Stop job-hunting. Start NETWORKING  
→ Reach out to decision-makers directly  
→ Share wins, ideas, and vision-not just your CV  
→ Connect with peers at the next level up

3) Build your personal BRAND  
→ Show how you solve problems others cannot  
→ Share stories of leading teams or driving results  
→ Let the right people know your goals

I used these steps myself:
• Seven promotions  
• Multiple leadership programs  
• Doors opened that I never saw before

Hundreds of clients have done the same.

The uncomfortable truth:  
Results speak louder than hours worked.

You deserve a job where you feel valued-and where you grow.

Ready to stop waiting and start leading?  
I built a free training on what hiring managers *really* look for.

Want a copy?  
Message me with “TRAINING” and I’ll send it over.

What would shift in your career if you focused less on resumes and more on relationships?

The job market did not freeze.
It just started rewarding a new kind of behavior.

Two leaders.
Same title.
Same years in.
Same “tough market.”

One waits months with no calls.
One juggles three panels in one week.

The uncomfortable truth:
They do not run the same search.

Here is what the ones who win do differently now:
• They treat the search as a real campaign

They do not “log in and hope.”
They build a short list of target companies.
They look for hiring leaders, not only postings.
They track each touch in a simple sheet.
They follow up on purpose, not from fear.

Every week they ask:
→ Who did I reach?
→ Who did I move forward?
→ Where do I push next?

• They build demand before they are “open to work”

When you land on their LinkedIn, you see a clear story:
→ Level
→ Niche
→ Value

Their resume shows numbers, not a list of duties.
Their posts and comments show how they think and lead.

By the time a role opens, leaders know their name.
They feel like a match, not a random click.

• They speak with humans, not only systems

They ask friends and old peers for warm intros.
They join calls with 3–5 sharp questions ready.
They bring 1–2 specific wins that tie to the role.

Portals scan for keywords.
Humans search for impact and trust.

• They guard their mindset like a high value asset

They do not see “no” as a verdict on their worth.
They measure actions, not emotions:
→ How many new people they contact
→ How many follow ups they send
→ How many real talks they book

Bad day? They still move one small step:
One message.
One call.
One post.

Because in this market, confidence is a skill.
Not a bonus.

The old playbook is dead:
Spray resumes.
Wait.
Hope.

The market that pays you now rewards:
→ Clarity in who you are
→ Visibility in your space
→ Direct outreach to real people

What would shift in your search if you ran it like a campaign around a high demand product: you?

I see growth where others see only trouble. That’s my secret.

Most people scan the headlines, scroll through complaints, and get stuck on what’s wrong.

They say:
• The world is a mess
• My job is draining me
• Nothing ever changes

But here’s what they miss-what you focus on becomes your reality.

When you zoom in on pain, you get more pain.
When you point your lens at growth, you see new ways forward.

I’ve been there. Years ago, I hit a wall in my career. Stuck, frustrated, looking for someone to blame.

The truth is: I was feeding the problem with my attention. I was growing more stuck, not less.

Everything shifted when I started asking:
• What can I learn here?
• How can I grow from this?
• What part of me needs to change?

That’s when the doors opened. New roles. Promotions. More energy. Better teams. Not overnight-but every day, a little more.

The uncomfortable truth: The world will always have trouble. Pain. Problems.

But you choose what grows in your life. Your focus is the fertilizer.

If you want to be in the top 1%, start with your mindset-focus on growth, not trouble.

What would shift in your career if you focused less on pain and more on possibility?

You already know you are not using your full potential.  
What scares you more: changing now or wasting 2 more years?  

I had this conversation with a client last week.  

They said:  
“Everyone keeps telling me I have not reached my potential.”  

My reply:  
“You mentioned everyone says you have not achieved your potential. How would it feel to have this same conversation with yourself in another two years?”  

Silence.  

You could feel the weight of that picture.  
Same role.  
Same frustration.  
Same “you are meant for more” story.  

Here is the truth I see every day as a coach and leader:  

You cannot control how you feel.  
You can control how you act.  

You can feel:  
- Tired  
- Scared  
- Overwhelmed  
- Unsure  

You can still:  
- Update your resume  
- Send 3 targeted applications  
- Reach out to 2 leaders you admire  
- Block 30 minutes a day for your next level  

Life hits hard.  
Workload. Family. Health. Layoffs.  

But when you use these as reasons to pause your goals, you train your brain:  
“I move away from my future when life gets hard.”  

Shift it to:  
“I move toward my future even when life gets hard.”  

Every setback can be proof that you stay in the game.  
Every tough season can add clarity about what you want next.  

Two years will pass.  
You will either thank yourself or explain yourself.  

How long have you been waiting for the promotion AND compensation you deserve?

Stuck in a toxic job? You’re following old rules that keep you trapped.

You know you’re a talented leader in tech.
But you’re still using the same playbook that got you here.
Now-those rules hold you back.

Here’s what I see every week:

• You polish your resume for the 100th time.
• You wait for your boss to notice your value.
• You hope HR will offer you something better.
• You keep working harder, hoping for a break.

Truth is: Companies changed. Hiring changed. Leadership changed.
But the job search strategies most people use? Still stuck in 2010.

The fix is simple, but powerful.

The LeaderUP 3 Keys Proven Framework:

1. Decision Maker Marketing - Position yourself as the solution to their biggest problems. Your resume and LinkedIn must scream impact at the level you want, not just the job you have.

2. Interview Pipeline Process - Build a personalized outbound plan. Reach out directly to decision makers. Use tools and automation. Stop waiting, start driving interviews.

3. Interview Process Certification - Learn how to become the answer hiring managers need. Consistently get offers by showing you solve real pain.

But that’s not all.

We dig deep to uncover your key unlocks:
→ What makes you unique?
→ Where do you deliver value no one else can?
→ Which growth areas will move the needle?

Then, we use the MASE Approach:
• Mindset: Growth over fear.
• Attitude: Show up with energy.
• Skills: Level up-hard and soft.
• Effort: Daily, focused action.

Imagine the shift:
You land the role you want.
You triple your impact, income, and satisfaction.
You wake up excited-recognized for your true worth.

The uncomfortable truth:
Success starts when you break old patterns and choose a new strategy.

What would change in your career if you stopped following outdated rules and started using a proven framework?

Tolerance, fortitude, resilience, adaptability-these 4 traits decide if you win or stall in your career.

You hit a wall. Something hard happens. You get knocked off your game.

The truth is: what happens next is not about talent. It is about how you respond.

Not everyone bounces back. Many drop lower than where they started. Some never recover. They stall-sometimes for years.

I see this every day with senior leads, managers, directors, VPs. Great people. Smart people. But the ones who rise have something different.

They build mental toughness like a skill. Not a buzzword. Not “just push harder.” They measure it and improve it.

Here’s what separates the winners:

• Tolerance: How much stress can you handle before you crack? Long fuse, short fuse-know yours. Track it.
• Fortitude: When you break, how far do you fall? Some take a breath, reset. Others spiral. Your intensity matters.
• Resilience: How fast do you bounce back? 5 minutes or 5 months? The faster you reset, the quicker you win.
• Adaptability: Do you level up after setbacks-or settle for less? Growth comes from using pain as fuel, not letting it drain you.

I learned this the hard way. Early in my career, I fell hard when things went wrong. Recovery took too long. Sometimes, I came back weaker. Now, I focus on returning to baseline fast. I separate feelings from actions. I use setbacks to build strength, not lose it.

You can do the same. Start by asking:

→ Where do you stall most often?
→ Which trait needs work?

The uncomfortable truth: your next promotion, your next job, your next win depends on how you handle hard times-not how you avoid them.

Agree? Where do you see yourself in these four traits?

The world throws chaos. I choose who I become in the gap between hurt and response.

You lose someone. You get blindsided. You feel the sting.

Most people think pain should change you forever. That you need to mourn for months to prove you loved deeply. That you must carry a scar for life.

But I refuse that.

I believe the person I lost-or the setback I faced-would want me to be stronger. Not broken. Not stuck in old patterns that keep me small.

What stops me from moving on today? What rule says pain must last a set time?

The truth is: how long you hurt does not equal how much you cared.

I learned this the hard way. Wrote a eulogy. Reflected on what people remember at the end.

It’s not the money. Not the titles. Not the buildings you put up.

It’s always:

• Service-what you did for others
• Character-how you showed up, even on your worst days

You can choose your response-even when you’re tired, hungry, or hurting.

There’s a split second between the blow and your reaction. In that moment, you decide who you want to be.

I ask myself:

• What would my best self do?
• How can I act with respect and gratitude, even when I’m struggling?
• Can I go through this day, this meeting, this conversation, without letting my pain spill out?

If I do that, I win. Even if no one knows what it cost me.

Over time, showing up builds reputation. You become the person others call “unshakable.”

That’s how you build real strength. That’s how you grow.

But some of you are stuck in the valley. You let pain shape your behavior. You think you’re less because you’re struggling.

Don’t let hurt become your identity.

You choose who you are in the gap. That’s where growth happens.

What helps you stay true to yourself in that gap?

Your plan for 2026 matters more than your wishes. Will you act or wait?

Here’s what I see every year-talented people say, “Next year I’ll make my move.” Next year comes, nothing changes. Same frustrations. Same missed chances.

The truth is: no one is coming to hand you the job, the promotion, or the life you want. You have to build it. You have to decide what you want, get clear, and act.

Ask yourself:
→ What do you want for yourself in 2026?
→ What will you do to get it?
→ What’s one thing you keep wishing for, but never actually start?

I’ve coached leaders who spent years waiting for a manager to notice them, for a recruiter to call, for a “right moment” to land. That moment never arrives. The only real change comes when you step up and make a plan.

Here’s what works:
• Get specific about your next career level or role
• Write down your target salary, work-life goals, and growth needs
• Map out three actions to take this month-update your resume, reach out to a mentor, build a new skill
• Stop wishing for things to happen. Start working toward them

You can still want more money, more fulfillment, more flexibility. But want alone isn’t enough. Action is the difference. Your future self will thank you for the steps you take today.

Don’t let another year go by wishing for results you never see. Build your plan. Move. Repeat.

What would shift for you if you chose action over hope?

AI is not your enemy. It's your best tool for career growth if you know how to use it.

You can let AI take your job - or you can use it to make yourself unstoppable.

The uncomfortable truth:
Most people wait for permission to learn new skills.
They wait for their manager to send them to training.
They wait for someone else to show them the way.

But the ones who win? They teach themselves what they need - fast.

I saw an OpenAI engineer do exactly that.
He used ChatGPT to learn every skill he needed for the job.
He didn’t ask for a roadmap.
He built his own.

That’s the new game.
The top 1% don’t fear AI - they leverage it.
They use it to:

• Break down complex problems
• Practice interview questions
• Build project plans and get more done in less time
• Find gaps in their own skills and fill them

The truth is:
AI won’t replace you.
But someone using AI better than you will.

You don’t need to be an engineer.
You don’t need a special background.
You just need to decide - will you use the best tool available to level up?

The future belongs to those who adapt, learn, and move fast.
The ones who use AI as their teammate, not their rival.

Are you letting AI make you invisible?
Or are you using it to stand out?

What would shift in your career if you treated AI as your personal growth engine?

This year I made a new holiday rule for our family.
Less presents, more presence.

Less boxes under the tree.
More time on the floor with the kids.

Less scrolling.
More eye contact.

In the past I chased the “perfect” holiday.
More gifts. More plans. More noise.

Everyone was happy.
But I was tired, half-distracted, and thinking about work or next year’s goals.

I coach leaders to get promotions, raises, and big opportunities.
But lately I keep coming back to a simple truth:

The next level is not only about your career.
The next level is also about your life.

So this year I decided:

• We buy fewer things
• We plan fewer events
• We protect more slow moments

Board games on the table.
Hot chocolate on the couch.
Walks outside with no phones.

The gifts we remember are not the ones in the box.
We remember who sat next to us.
Who laughed with us.
Who listened.

I am proud of the work I do.
I am proud of the leaders I help.

I am also proud when I close the laptop, put the phone away, and give my family the same focus I give my clients.

If you are reading this, I hope you get the chance to do the same.

What small “more presence” rule are you making for yourself this holiday season?

taplio

The Battle

Madeline Mann

Paul Upton

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreMadeline Mann's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScorePaul Upton's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Madeline Mann

Paul Upton

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Madeline Mann's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScorePaul Upton's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMadeline Mann's LinkedIn Performance