Noemi Kis✨

Founder, CEO

Serial Entrepreneur / AI enthusiast / TEDx speaker

Hey there! 👋

I write about ideas for building a microbusiness.

I used this model to build a 7-figure company and grow a community of 160K+ on LinkedIn. Now, I help non-techie execs and founders do the same.

Get the 50 high margin business ideas FREE when you join.

Join here: https://stan.store/NoemiKis

Brands & sponsorship inquiries: hello@noemikis.com

AquaQuote is a global digital marketplace for buying and selling industrial water treatment products in the aftermarket space.  Brands have an opportunity to digitize their catalog and offer their products to a wider audience, while end users can easily find and purchase products via a self-service dashboard.  We focus on fast and excellent customer service and sourcing products from the best suppliers with the shortest lead times. 

Society taught us to value time over expertise.

But we’ve been measuring value all wrong.

We’ve always been taught:

→ Count the hours, not the skill
→ Pay for the process, not the outcome
→ Fast usually means carelessly done

I used to have a similar mindset before I got into business. 

That if something didn't take hours, it wasn't valuable.

But when I actually started hiring people who were both good AND fast at their job, I realized how wrong I was.

I once hired a developer who fixed a problem in 20 minutes that I'd been stuck on for 3 weeks.

And those 20 minutes weren’t just 20 minutes.

They were years of him:

→ Breaking things
→ Fixing them
→ Breaking them again

…until he could spot the issue before I even finished explaining it.

I wasn't paying for 20 minutes. I was paying for the 10 years it took him to solve my problem that fast.

So next time you hire an expert:

1. Pay for the outcome, not the hours. 
2. Ask about problems solved, not time taken.
3. Value the years of expertise, not the speed of delivery

When someone solves your problem in 30 minutes, you're not paying for 30 minutes.

You're paying for every hour they invested before you showed up.

You owe them for those years, not the minutes.

Found this valuable? Please reshare with your network! ♻️ 

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Microbusiness Ideas / AI enthusiast / TEDx speaker

Most people avoid risk because they overestimate the risk.

They don't start that business.
They don't apply for their dream job.
They don't ask out someone they're interested in.

But here's what they miss:

The downside is temporary discomfort.
The upside can change your entire life.

Think about it:

You apply for your dream job and get rejected?
→ You feel bad for a week. Then you move on.

But if you get it?  
→ You build a career you actually want.

You ask someone out and they say no?
→ Awkward for a day. So what.

But if they say yes?
→ You could meet your future partner. Build a life together.

You start a business and it fails?
→ You learn and try again smarter.

But if it works?
→ Financial freedom. Purpose that makes you excited to wake up.

This is clear:

Worst case: temporary pain, valuable lessons, you try again.
Best case: life-changing results.

Most risks aren't risky at all.

They're asymmetric bets with minimal downside and unlimited upside.

So why not just go for it.

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The hardest part of growing isn't the work.

It's leaving people behind on the way.

I've had friends criticize me for hiring a coach. 
Make judgements about "always working." 
Comment about me "changing".

The criticism is almost never coming from people ahead of you.

It's coming from people who feel left behind.

Sometimes you outgrow people and life takes you in different directions.  

You know who your people are when:

• They cheer you on when you win.
• They push you to keep going when you want to quit
• They celebrate your growth instead of feeling threatened by it.

Protect those relationships with everything you've got.

And the ones who judge you for trying?

Wish them well. And keep moving.

Your growth is a gift, and your true friends will celebrate it with you.

♻️ Share this if you needed to hear it today.

Follow me Noemi Kis✨for daily growth tips.

Hard pill to swallow:

The room you're in determines the person you become.

Most people think growth is about working harder.

But growth isn't about effort. It's about environment.

→ Sit with people who gossip, you'll start gossiping
→ Sit with people who complain, you'll start complaining
→ Sit with people who dream small, you'll shrink your vision

But sit with people who:

→ Talk about ideas, not people
→ Discuss growth, not drama
→ Build futures, not excuses

And suddenly, you're not the same person.

The conversations you're in shape the thoughts you think.

The thoughts you think shape the actions you take.

The actions you take shape the life you build.

Most people are stuck because they're in the wrong rooms. I used to be same 10 years ago.

Talking about:

→ Who did what
→ What went wrong
→ Why things are unfair
→ Who's to blame

Meanwhile, the people actually winning are in rooms talking about:

→ What's possible
→ How to execute
→ Where to invest
→ What to build next

Same 24 hours.

Different conversations.

Different outcomes.

But you can't grow in rooms that talk small.

You can't build big surrounded by people who think small.

So if you want to level up, here's what to do:

1/ Audit your rooms:

↳ Where do you spend most of your time?
↳ What are the dominant conversations?
↳ Are people building or just talking?

2/ Exit the wrong rooms:

↳ Stop showing up where gossip is the currency
↳ Leave group chats that drain your energy
↳ Distance yourself from people who only discuss problems

3/ Find bigger tables:

↳ Join communities where your goals are normal
↳ Invest in rooms where growth is the baseline
↳ Surround yourself with people 5 steps ahead

Your network isn't just who you know.

It's who you become by knowing them.

So stop sitting at tables that make you smaller.

Find the room that talks about God, universe, growth, money, dreams, and goals.

Not people.

That's where your next level lives.

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Every idea has three audiences.

And only one of them ends up successful.

The Critics:
→ Point out what's wrong
→ Explain why it won’t work
→ Wait to say “I told you so”

The Talkers:
→ Love debating the plan
→ Always have advice
→ Rarely take their own

The Doers:
→ Start before they’re ready
→ Learn by trying
→ Adjust as they go

Guess which group changes the world?

While critics analyze and talkers strategize, doers are already three steps ahead.

Here’s what they do differently:

Critics need proof before they believe.
Talkers need certainty before they begin.
Doers create proof by doing.

Doers understand this:
→ Done is better than perfect
→ Feedback from action beats theory
→ You can’t steer a parked car
→ Mistakes teach faster than meetings
→ Progress lives in the doing, not the discussing

But the problem is:
Most people would rather look smart than make progress.
They’d rather be right than rich.
They’d rather critique than create.
But the market doesn’t reward opinions.
It rewards execution.

So while everyone else is getting ready to get ready… start.

Your first try won’t be your best.
But it’ll be better than no try at all.

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Taking things personally is exhausting.

For years, I did it constantly.

Someone didn't text me back? I assumed they were mad at me.

This is called cognitive distortion where your brain convinces you of something that isn't true.

Here's what helps to break the pattern:

1. Label your story

↳ It's not the event that upsets you. It's the story you tell yourself about it.

2. Questioning isn't rejection

↳ When someone challenges you, your ego translates it as an attack. Reframe it.

3. Use the 2-second buffer

↳ Give yourself space between someone's reaction and your response.

4. Focus on what you control

↳ You can't control if someone replies. You can control your next move.

Their reaction is about their world.

Not yours.

♻️ Repost if this hit home.

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Underrated growth hack:

Make mistakes at full speed.

That's where you learn to drive.

Here's what separates people who grow from people who stall:

→ Fast learners make 100 mistakes in a year
→ Slow learners make 10 mistakes in a year
→ Non-starters make zero mistakes in a year

Guess who's furthest ahead in 3 years?

The one who failed the most.

Because every mistake is a lesson you can't unlearn.

Every failure is data you didn't have before.

Every crash teaches you what the theory never could.

Think about it:

→ You don't learn sales from reading. You learn from the 50 calls that went wrong.
→ You don't learn leadership from books. You learn from managing badly and adjusting.
→ You don't learn business from courses. You learn from launching, failing, and trying again.

The pattern is always the same:

Do the thing → Fail → Learn → Do it better → Repeat

But most people get stuck at step one.

Because they're terrified of looking stupid.

Of being wrong.

Of failing publicly.

So they wait.

They prepare.

They research.

They plan the perfect approach.

And while they're perfecting their strategy in the parked car...

Someone else already crashed twice, rebuilt, and is miles ahead.

So if you want to grow faster, here's what to do:

1/ Set a failure quota:
↳ Commit to 10 failures this month
↳ Track each one and what it taught you
↳ Celebrate hitting your failure goal

2/ Build a rapid testing system:
↳ Launch weekly, not monthly
↳ Get feedback within 48 hours
↳ Iterate immediately based on what broke

3/ Stop researching, start doing:
↳ Give yourself 1 week max to plan
↳ Ship the messy version
↳ Learn from real users, not hypothetical ones

The businesses that scale fastest aren't the ones with perfect launches.

They're the ones that launched 10 times while everyone else was still planning version one.

The creators who grow aren't the ones with flawless content.

They're the ones who posted 100 times while others were perfecting their first post.

The people who win aren't the ones who never failed.

They're the ones who failed fastest and learned the most.

So stop waiting for the perfect moment.

Stop trying to avoid mistakes.

Start making them at full speed.

Because you can't learn to drive in a parked car.

You learn by crashing a few times and figuring out how not to.

That's the game.

Play it fast.

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It's easy to confuse motion with direction.

You're on a path. It's moving fast. You feel productive. 

You are going somewhere.

But you never stopped to check if it's taking you where you actually want to go.

People stay in jobs that drain them because they're "making progress" in their career. They're getting promotions, raises, new titles.

It feels like progress.

People stay in relationships that don't fit because they've invested so much time. 

They're building a life together, checking boxes, moving forward.

But movement isn't the same as progress.

Progress means you're getting closer to where you want to be. 

Movement just means you're going somewhere.

The hardest thing to do is stop a moving train.

It feels like failure. It feels like starting over. It feels like admitting you were wrong.

But staying on the wrong path doesn't get easier. It just takes you further from where you need to be.

I've done this. Stayed in situations way too long because I confused momentum with meaning.

The real question isn't "Am I moving?"
It's "Am I moving toward something I actually want?"

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to switch direction.

P.S. Save this for later.

Follow me for daily growth tips.

I'm 12 years in to my business, and I'm not "successful" by traditional standards.

I don't wake up at 5am.
I don't have 50 employees.
I don't feel like I've made it.
I don't know my 5-year plan.
I don't have a $10M in revenue.
I don't have a morning routine.
I don't always focus on the right things.
I don't have a fancy office... I work from home.

My business and life isn't what I imagined.

But in many ways, it's better.

Because I am...

The most peaceful I've ever been.
I take vacations without guilt.
I built something that runs without me.

This is your reminder:

Build the business & life YOU want.
Not what others expect you should want.

♻️ Repost if this resonates.

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Bamboo can grow 35 inches in a single day.

But before that, it spends years underground.

Just building roots.

This is exactly how growth works in life.

---

Phase 1: The Invisible Work

You're showing up. Doing the reps. Taking action.

But nothing is happening above the surface.

Just tiny roots spreading underground where no one can see.

Most people quit here.

---

Phase 2: The Small Wins

A sprout breaks through.

You land a client. A new opportunity opens up.

Not many people notice yet. 

But you keep watering. Keep doing the work.

---

Phase 3: Explosive Growth

The big client comes through.
The investor calls back.
The opportunity you've been building toward finally lands.

People call it "overnight success."

They didn't see the time underground.

They didn't see the tiny roots.

They only see the "overnight success"

Growth is never linear.

It's invisible, then slow, then all at once.

If you're in the underground phase right now, keep building roots.

The surface will come.

♻️ Repost if this resonates

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The Japanese have this art called kintsugi.

When a ceramic bowl breaks, they don't throw it away.

They repair it with gold-laced lacquer, turning the cracks into something more beautiful than the original.

The breaks become the most striking part.

I think about the people I love most. It's never their perfection that draws me in.

It's their quirks. 
The way they stumble over words when they're nervous.
How they laugh too loud at their own jokes.

The scars from things that broke them.

That's what makes them real.
That's what makes them human.

We spend so much energy trying to hide our cracks.

Pretending we have it all together.
Smoothing over the rough edges.
Presenting this polished version of ourselves that doesn't actually exist.

But your imperfections are your story.

↳ A business failing publicly
↳ Burnout that forces you to stop everything
↳ Realizing you wasted years on the wrong path

The good that comes out of that:

• Clarity on what actually matters
• Confidence because you survived it
• A story that inspires others
  
Those aren't flaws to hide.

They're best part.


Liked this?  Save for later.

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A top life skill is getting along with people you don't like.

And most people never develop it.

Stanford professor Robert Sutton studied this for years.

His finding: dealing with difficult people drains your cognitive resources.

That's energy you could use for creative problem solving. 

You can't avoid difficult people. But you can learn to work with them.

Here's how to actually do it:

1. Find common ground in shared goals

↳ You don't need to like someone to work well together
↳ Focus on the outcome, not the personality

2. Separate personality from competence

↳ Someone can be annoying and still be good at their job
↳ Respect their skills even if you don't enjoy their company

3. Focus on what you can learn

↳ Every difficult person teaches you something
↳ Communication. Patience. Conflict resolution.

4. Keep things professional without being fake

↳ You don't have to pretend to be best friends
↳ Just be respectful and direct

Your network isn't just the people you like.
It's the people who can help you grow.

And growth rarely happens without conflict.

And that's how you level up.

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What changed my life wasn't waiting for the perfect moment.

It was starting messy.  Getting uncomfortable.

Here's what I've learned:

The gym is uncomfortable.
↳ But so is being out of breath climbing stairs.

Asking for a raise is uncomfortable.
↳ But so is watching others get promoted.

Starting a business is uncomfortable.
↳ But so is wondering "what if" for 20 years.

Having hard conversations is uncomfortable.
↳ But so is a relationship built on things left unsaid.

Just show up. Made mistakes. Learn. Repeat.

You're going to suck at first.  
Everyone does.

But here's the thing: that awkward phase where you feel like an imposter is where the growth happens.

You're learning faster than you ever have before.

The first 90 days are brutal.
You'll want to quit. 
You'll wonder if you're cut out for this.

Keep going anyway.

Picture yourself December 2026.

You've built something real. 
You've become someone different.

You're not the person who "wanted to" anymore. 
You're the person who did.

2026 is your year if you decide it is.

------

Save this for later.

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Helping execs in new roles accelerate impact, build credibility fast and avoid costly transition mistakes | xIBM Consulting | xPwC | Certified Executive Coach

You’ve just landed your next big executive role - congratulations!

Now comes the part no one prepares you for: making it successful.

The hard truth is, 40% of executive transitions fail within 18 months.

And the cost is staggering:

2.5x to 30x the executive’s salary in lost productivity, turnover, and disruption.

Career damage for the executive that can take years to recover from.

Maybe it's your first time at the senior leadership table. 
Maybe you've done this before, but this time, the stakes feel higher. 
Different company, industry, department or role.

Either way, you know this first year will define your reputation and your results.

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

You've inherited a team that doesn't fully trust you yet. 
You're navigating company politics, shifting priorities, and sky-high expectations. 
Everyone's watching, but no one's guiding. 
You're smart, experienced, and capable. 
But the pressure to prove yourself is relentless.

This is exactly where I come in.

I help new executives thrive where 40% fail by guiding them through the high-stakes first year.

My coaching is confidential, personalized, and focused on helping you:

✔ Earn trust quickly and secure early credibility
✔ Navigate politics and hidden organizational dynamics
✔ Build and align your leadership team for quick wins
✔ Make high-impact decisions without costly missteps
✔ Lay the foundation for long-term success and legacy

 Why Trust Me?
• 25+ years in Fortune 500 consulting, partnering with senior executives 
• Led $30M+ transformation portfolios and 250+ person practices at IBM 
• Led risk strategy for $100M+ proposals and complex transformations 
• Built and delivered IBM's top global executive coaching programs 
• Certified executive coach with 300+ leaders coached

If you’re ready to accelerate your impact and avoid costly missteps,

let’s make your first year your strongest. 

📩 DM me “Executive Transition” and let’s talk.

Dora Vanourek

That Monday you're dreading
is someone's answered prayer.
We're exhausted by everything we "have to" do.

- Wake up early
- Answer endless emails
- Deal with difficult people
- Attend another meeting

I caught myself overwhelmed by my packed calendar this morning.

Then remembered my friend who's been job hunting for 6 months.

The shift was instant:

What feels like just another day:

→ Monday morning alarm
→ Back-to-back meetings 
→ Endless client calls
→ Inbox overflowing
→ Weekend work sessions

What it really is:

→ Income that supports your life
→ People who value your expertise
→ Clients who trust your guidance 
→ Work that has real impact
→ Freedom to build something

This isn't about toxic positivity.

Or pretending everything's perfect.

Or ignoring real challenges.

It's about perspective.

Every "I have to" is actually an "I get to" in disguise.

What's one thing you're dreading today that someone else would be grateful for?

♻️ Repost for someone who forgot they're fortunate
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for leadership & career insights

If you're not growing in your job, you're shrinking.

But shrinking feels like stability.

Like patience.
Commitment.
Paying your dues.

So you start telling yourself:

'The market's tough right now.' 
'I'm lucky to have a job.' 
'Maybe next quarter will be different.'

And while you're being 'patient':

Someone with half your experience gets promoted.

Someone who started after you becomes your boss.

The job-hopper is making 40% more.

If your company isn't investing in your growth, 
you're not building a career -
you're maintaining theirs.

They get your best years. 
You get a review that says 'meets expectations.'

Growth isn't just about moving up.

It's about expanding your skills.
Taking on challenges that scare you.
Working with people who believe in you.

Ask yourself:

- When did you last learn something that changed how you work?

- Who's invested in your development this quarter?

- What skills are you building for your next role?

If it's tough to answer these, you're not stable.

You're stuck.

And stuck is just shrinking in slow motion.

The riskiest career move isn't leaving too soon.

It's staying too long.

How will you feel next year if nothing changes?

Your growth doesn't need permission.

♻️ Repost to remind someone that loyalty without growth is a trap
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for more

7 phrases that are quietly damaging your credibility:

(and what to say instead)

1. I'll try:
↳ Sounds like you're already half-expecting to fail.
↳ Say: "I'll complete it by Friday and will keep you updated on my progress."

2. No offence, but…:
↳ Nothing good ever follows this phrase. 
↳ Say: "Here's my perspective." or "I see it differently."

3. This might be a stupid question, but…:
↳ Undermines your question before you even ask it.
↳ Say: "I'd like to clarify something."

4. That's not my problem:
↳ Makes you sound dismissive and unhelpful.
↳ Say: "Let me help you find the right person."

5. We've always done it this way:
↳ Makes you appear resistant to change.
↳ Say: "Let's consider other options."

6. I guess…:
↳ Shows lack of confidence.
↳ Say: "Here's what I think." or "This is what I know so far."

7. Does that make sense?
↳ Sounds like you're doubting yourself or the other person's intelligence.
↳ Say: "What questions do you have?"

Your words shape how others perceive you. 

Own your words, own your impact.

♻️ Repost to help someone.
🔔 Follow Dora Vanourek for more.

7 seemingly innocent phrases that hurt your credibility

"I found a better opportunity."

Translation: I found a leader who values me.

I've coached hundreds through resignations.

The real reason they leave: 
it's rarely what they say at first.

Behind "better opportunity" or "career growth" is something deeper:

They don't feel valued.

Nobody says thank you.

Their ideas get ignored. 
Their skills go unused. 
They've stopped learning.

If you want to keep your best people:

- Truly listen
- Say thank you
- Seek their ideas
- Appreciate them
- Provide flexibility
- Make time for them
- Ask for their opinions
- Share timely feedback
- Ask how they really are
- Involve them in decisions
- Provide growth opportunities
- Communicate with transparency
- Trust them to make the right decisions

You don't need a budget for any of these.

Just intention, and genuinely caring for your people.

Be the leader you wish you had.

♻️ Repost to remind someone they matter
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for leadership & career insights

Self-doubt kills more careers than 
bad bosses ever could.

It paralyzes talented people into inaction.

And pushes many of us into traps like:

❌ Waiting to feel confident before starting
❌ Seeking perfection before launching
❌ Taking "one more certification" before applying

But perfect circumstances never come.

A year ago, I left my 25+ year corporate career.

It was the scariest step I ever took.

Nothing was guaranteed.

Yet, my family depended on me.

And honestly? I am still figuring it out every day.

But I realized that waiting for "safe" was the biggest risk of all.

Small steps will change your life:

1. Stop collecting certifications like armour
→ You already know enough to take the first step
→ True learning happens in the doing

2. Shift your mindset
→ Replace "I'm not qualified" with "I'll figure it out"
→ Turn "I'm not ready" into "I'll learn as I go"

3. Build momentum
→ Take one small step. Then another.
→ Progress creates confidence, not the other way around

Remember, someone with half your talent is out there doing it.

You are more than ready.

Take that first step today.

♻️ Repost to remind someone to bet on themselves
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for more

We've built hiring systems that strip away humanity.

Then we wonder why trust is broken from day one.

It’s because we have normalized 
the unacceptable:

❌ Posting ghost jobs to signal growth
→ while real people wait for an email that never comes

❌ Automated rejections
→ after someone spent hours filling out a complicated application form

❌ Six rounds of interviews
→ because no one trusts anyone else's judgement

❌ Ghosting people after the final rounds
→ because giving feedback is not a priority

❌ "Not enough experience"
→ when they could learn the job in a month

The hiring managers feel this too.

They're drowning in reqs.
Pressured by systems they didn't design.
Told to move fast while also de-risking every hire.

People are not numbers.

Every resume represents someone's hopes.
Their rent. Their kids' futures.
Their career turning point.

To the hiring managers doing their best within broken systems:

Thank you. It matters more than you know.

♻️ Repost if you believe hiring should be more human
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for more

People won't remember your job title.

They'll remember how you made them feel.

Because true happiness at work isn't about being employed.

It's about feeling valued.

The best leaders live by this.

They don't just manage tasks.
They empower people to grow.
They appreciate them genuinely.

Be that leader:

- Listen without judgement
- Provide stretch assignments
- Genuinely ask, "How are you?"
- Be kind, even on the tough days
- Open doors to new opportunities
- Acknowledge their unique strengths
- Empower others to explore and learn
- Share feedback that helps others thrive
- Invite input in decisions that impact others
- Show appreciation - it means more than you know
- Believe in someone before they believe in themselves

Leadership isn't just about budgets or targets.

It's about kindness, respect, and leaving people better than when you met them.

Have you had a great leader?
Tag them to thank them ⬇️ 

♻️ Repost to inspire your network
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for more

Early in my career, I made the same mistake 
with every piece of feedback.

It's not that I disagreed with what they said.

I just wanted to explain myself.
Provide context.
Share the circumstances.

I didn't want them to think I was incapable.

But here's what they heard:

Excuses.

And over time, people stopped telling me the truth.

Here's what I wish I understood sooner:

When you stop listening, people stop sharing.

And that's when growth stops too.

5 ways to receive feedback without getting defensive:

1. Pause before responding
→ Your first instinct is to explain. Resist it
→ Take a breath. Let the words settle.

2. Say "thank you" first
→ Even if it stings. Especially then
→ Gratitude keeps the door open for next time

3. Reflect on it later
→ You don't have to process it in the moment
→ Come back with questions tomorrow

4. Find the truth in it
→ Even if you don't agree 100%, there's usually something real
→ Find the 10% of truth, even if the other 90% is wrong

5. Separate the message from the delivery
→ Feedback can be poorly delivered and still be true
→ Don't let imperfect delivery block valuable insight

The most coachable people grow the fastest.

Not because they're the smartest.

But because they stay open when it's uncomfortable.

♻️ Repost to help someone stay coachable
➕ Follow Dora Vanourek for modern leadership

Most leaders obsess over the wrong things.

They chase better processes.

Refine strategies.

Restructure teams.

And when results don't improve:

They apply pressure.
Tighten timelines.
Use fear as a tactic.

Meanwhile, the people who care the most, stop caring.

The best leaders do the opposite:

✅ Know their names and their stories
↳ "How's your daughter's soccer season?"

✅ Treat everyone with equal respect
↳ The intern's time matters as much as the VP's. Act like it

✅ Follow through on their feedback
↳ Actually listen and act. Or explain why not. Silence kills trust faster than "no"

✅ Share your own mistakes first
↳ "Here's where I messed up" opens doors to honesty

✅ Replace "Who did this?" with "What can we learn?"
↳ One question assigns blame. The other builds resilience

✅ Address toxic behaviour quickly
↳ Every day you wait, good people update their resumes

You don't need another framework.

You need to look up from your spreadsheet and see the humans in front of you.

Before the best ones stop caring completely.

♻️ Repost to inspire people-first leadership
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High performers don't always get promoted.

Sometimes they get silenced.

You're excelling at everything 
- except getting recognized for it.

The problem isn't your performance.

It's how your success makes someone else feel.

7 signs your boss sees you as a threat:

1. The Control Trap 🔍
↳ They micromanage you while trusting others
↳ Build relationships beyond your manager

2. The Information Freeze ❄️
↳ You're always the last to hear what's happening
↳ Create multiple information channels

3. Credit Confusion 🎭
↳ Your wins become nameless "team efforts"
↳ Document your contributions consistently

4. The Expertise Challenge 🧠
↳ They undermine your expertise in front of others
↳ Back your ideas with clear data

5. The Strategic Isolation 🔒
↳ "Accidentally" excluding you from key meetings
↳ Join high-visibility projects independently

6. The Performance Paradox 📊
↳ Lukewarm reviews despite strong results
↳ Collect written feedback from peers and clients

7. The Growth Block ⛔
↳ Your opportunities mysteriously keep getting delayed
↳ Create your own path outside formal systems

Remember: Their insecurity is not your ceiling.

You don't need to shrink to keep others comfortable.

Keep showing up.

📌 Navigating your first year in a new role?

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7 Signs Your Boss Sees You as a Threat

Toxic managers don’t just crush your confidence.

They rewire how you see yourself.

They use guilt, fear, and shame to maintain control.

Their tactics leave you questioning:

❌ your judgement
❌ your worth
❌ and even your sanity

But it's not you – it's them.

7 phrases toxic managers use:
(and how to protect yourself)

1. You should be grateful you even have a job
↳ Uses fear to silence your legitimate concerns
↳ "I want to contribute effectively. Can we find a solution?"

2. Everyone else is managing just fine
↳ Unfair comparison shames you into silence
↳ "Let's review my workload and priorities"

3. I have a lot of pressure from above, so you need to...
↳ Shifts poor planning onto your shoulders
↳ "I understand. Let's align on priorities"

4. You're being too sensitive
↳ Minimizes feelings to avoid personal accountability
↳ "This is affecting my work performance"

5. I'm doing this for your own good
↳ Masks controlling behaviour as genuine care
↳ "Can you explain how this helps me?"

6. If you were really loyal, you'd stay late...
↳ Emotional guilt-trips to ignore healthy boundaries
↳ "Can we align earlier on priorities?"

7. You're lucky I'm protecting you
↳ Creates dependence through imagined threats
↳ "What am I being protected from?"

You can't change who they are.

 But you can control what you tolerate.

You deserve to thrive, not just survive.

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7 phrases toxic managers say to manipulate you

Nobody deserves to be insulted or belittled.

Too often, we stay silent and wish we'd spoken up.

Or we react emotionally and regret it later.

There's a better way to respond with calm, clarity, and strength.

7 ways to handle insults at work:

1. Seek Clarification
↳ Make them reflect on what they said
↳ Did you mean to embarrass me just now?

2. Set Boundaries
↳ Clearly state what behaviour isn't acceptable
↳ That tone is not ok with me.

3. Use the Pause Technique
↳ Strategic silence followed by a calm response
↳ [Pause] Let's take a step back and approach this differently.

4. Mirror With Professionalism
↳ Reflect their behaviour so they confront it
↳ I'm hearing frustration. Is there a bigger issue?

5. Redirect to Solutions
↳ Shift from personal attack to problem-solving
↳ Let's focus on next steps, not assigning blame.

6. Use Humour (if it fits your style)
↳ A light touch can defuse tension
↳ That's one way to start a Wednesday meeting!

7. The Direct Approach
↳ The clearest response is often most powerful
↳ That was inappropriate. Let's restart or pause here.

You don't have to shrink to keep the peace.

Stand your ground with calm power.

📌 Navigating your first year in a new role?
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7 Smart ways to handle insults at work

The fastest way to fail in a new role?

Do exactly what got you hired.

It's called the competence trap - 
where your biggest strength becomes your blind spot.

7 mistakes leaders make in the first 100 days:

1. Misreading the Culture 🏢
↳ Seeing surface behaviours but missing deeper values
↳ Schedule listening tours with employees at all levels

2. Bringing the Old Playbook 📚
↳ Forcing familiar fixes onto problems creates resistance
↳ Ask "Why is it done this way?" to understand

3. Neglecting Key Stakeholders 🤝
↳ Focusing only on direct reports misses critical support
↳ Map all stakeholders and build an engagement plan

4. Moving Too Fast on Team Changes 👥
↳ Misreading team dynamics creates unnecessary instability
↳ Assess systematically before making changes

5. Underestimating Organizational Politics 🎭
↳ Overlooking hidden alliances leads to blindsided resistance
↳ Map informal networks before launching initiatives

6. Failing to Renegotiate Unclear Mandates ⚖️
↳ Not clarifying conflicting expectations from stakeholders
↳ Renegotiate KPIs and budgets

7. Energy Depletion 🔋
↳ Proving yourself while well-being slips
↳ Remember: your energy, not just time, is your scarcest resource

Success isn't about your track record.

It's about decoding the rules where you are now.

📌 Navigating your first year in a new role?
Get weekly insights in The First Year newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gkbJnUVb

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The Battle

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