Jack Ryan 🧗🏼’s Post

Think your job won't support you if you want to write a book or launch a side hustle? Think again. In fact, I find most companies will fall all over themselves to celebrate their own who do awesome things outside of their job. A perfect example is John Thompson III, a sales leader and executive at GE Healthcare who is simply put -- an epic human through and through! 🚀 John isn't just a high-performing executive and sales leader - he's also the co-author of the book 'Stack Your Deck,' which we wrote together. This phenomenal book provides a framework for readers to create their own 'unfair advantages' - in essence, making the most of their unique skills, knowledge, and opportunities to excel in any field. 📚 John used this book as a springboard to launch a successful side career as an executive coach. He’s given dozens of talks, speeches, workshops, and programming sessions, both within GE and externally. It's an astounding display of how one can excel in their job while also building an impressive side hustle or business.🔥 What can you learn from John? 1. Weave in your passions outside of work into work. 2. Create champions who can help you spread your message. 3. You're more than your job. And if your boss isn't cool with that... probably need a different boss. If you want to write a book, do some coaching, become a speaker, or elevate your brand and voice... then you can. He's an inspiration for anyone seeking to build a fulfilling career and a rewarding side venture simultaneously. But don't just take my word for it, see for yourself - swipe left to see a picture of us together recently, when John joined as a judge for my Executive MBA class. Building a successful side hustle while excelling at your job is no easy feat, but with the right strategy and dedication, it's more than possible. Remember, it's all about stacking your deck with the right tools, resources, and mindset. Take a leaf out of John's book (quite literally), and start creating your own 'unfair advantages.' #SideHustle #ExecutiveCoaching #StackYourD

Happy Friday LI family! The power of support and investing in yourself is so important. I recently took part in a 5 week coaching program run by the amazing powerhouse Yemi Jackson MBA, ACMA MD of Executive Search Agency - Engage Transform. The coaching program was something I knew I had to be a part of especially after attending the webinar "7 Hacks that will accelerate your career progression" also delivered by Yemi Jackson MBA, ACMA. Each week of the coaching program examined so many areas all, with the assistance of the thought provoking book "The 7 habits of an highly effective leader". Some of the golden takeaways for me was: Create a vision board - ensure it captures all the things you want to achieve for yourself and your family. Journal - capturing your dreams, ideas, goals and simply your thoughts helps to declutter your mind and help focus! The importance of doing something even when not wanting to = integrity! Having a mission statement - if organisations have one, why shouldn't we as individuals have one for our lives! We are after all the CEO of our lives! Abundance Mentality - it is important to have a mindset as it helps us to cultivate a growth mindset to receive! Have a 5 year plan, and break in down into sizeable steps/goals. Start with the end in mind - Where do you see yourself in x amount of years and work backwards! Understand what your overall objectives are for the life/career you want for yourself! It's never too late - it doesn't matter what age you are, and your circumstances right now, just start and the rest will follow! Network - network, network, network! Connecting with others makes you more knowledgeable, open doors and helps you become more visible to opportunities. Be proactive and not reactive - remember we are unique! Thank you Yemi Jackson MBA, ACMA for being a great and supportive coach, your delivery, the content of the program, being able to bring my real self to the group and share vulnerabilities in a safe space was just what I needed and so much more! I recommend everyone to embark on this program of discovery and enlightenment because it has reminded and equipped me with the tools that were always there within me. Finally - wishing all my LI connections a joyful Christmas and peaceful New Year! #coaching #transformengage #empowering

I often get asked what's the best advice you can give someone wanting career progression and development. Here's my #1 tip for success: Dive headfirst into the uncomfortable! You'll never know what you're fully capable of doing if you don't push yourself out of your comfort zone. While familiar territory offers a sense of security, authentic professional development unfolds when you deliberately confront new challenges. Challenge yourself with new projects, assume unfamiliar roles, or acquire new skills. It is within the realm of discomfort that contributes significantly to realising your full potential. But wait, there's more! Network, connect with mentors, and soak up knowledge like a sponge. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, and don't be afraid to ask for advice. Explore beyond the usual—dabble in public speaking, conquer new tech, or lead a game-changing project. As Sir Richard Branson said "Success demands stepping out of the comfort zone. Embrace the discomfort of growth, for it is within those challenges that true greatness is achieved." #CareerAdventures #ComfortZoneNoMore #ProfessionalGrowth

In one of my previous jobs, it was clear to both me and the hiring manager that I was hired for potential. I could do 80% of the job super well; the other 20% not only I didn’t know how to do, but I couldn’t have been successful unless I was coached. My then-boss knew it.  Trusted me to be coachable.  Trusted himself to be a dedicated coach. It was a dream job.  Dream boss.  Dream team. And then a reorg made it hell. Overnight almost. What did I learn and take from that situation? - What I need in my next boss - Which org structures don’t work for me - What I love doing over and over again, what I can tolerate doing, and what I can’t  - I gained some really good friends and two new incredible mentors.  - Experience in an industry I didn’t have prior and confidence in a larger scope of work. Gifts. 🎁 Lemonade out of lemons. 🍋 I have zero bad taste from that experience because I learned to “Pack my baggage” early on in my career. Packing My Package meant: Rewrite my story, remember the good, let go of the past, accept the unchangeable, and see opportunity in change. It’s the last step in my #StartingfromScratch, six-step model. P.S. What did you take from a bad work experience that you now consider a tool in your toolbelt? ——————————————————— 👋 I’m Osnat (Os) Benari I wrote the book “Starting From Scratch - Manage Change Like Your Career Depends On It” and it’s packed with tips to help you build a resilient career.

That's how I Got Advantage Over Others !! ( You can get it too ) Yesterday, I had my exams. And it went really well. No doubt, I was already confident. After completion, I asked others. They were quite sad. Ranting about less time & left questions unanswered. Reality.. → they gave more time for short questions → got less / no time for longer ones. That's where my strategy came into effect, and I shared it with them. Why am I sharing this with you? Bcz before preparing for exams, I did my homework. Researched → analyzed PYQs → Allocated time. They told me they just went with the flow. Similarly, on LinkedIn, if you simply go with the flow, you'll miss out on numerous opportunities. You have to.. → Observe others → Research well… → Prepare a strategy → Allocate your time properly (Business + Networking + Upskilling yourself) Initially, don't overcomplicate the process. → Just Start !! → then take time to figure out. Observe → Learn → Implement → Evolve That's the secret mantra of success!! P.S - Are you team strategy / go with the flow? #linkedin #linkedinstrategy #growth #linkedinpost #success

NO LABELS!!! No, I don’t mean anything political. I don’t refer to anything about brands. I mean things like: Expert - Guru - Thought-leader - You know, the kind of labels you see attached to people often self-proclaimed) in places like LinkedIn, bios for speakers, etc. I don’t want any labels. I am none of these. I’m not a coach, mentor, consultant or advisor. These are just things I do. Why do I do them? Because, I’m a guy who was very blessed to be presented many wonderful opportunities in this life. Through these opportunities, I met many wonderful people, all over the world. Through these opportunities, I learned a lot and gained a lot of experience. I also made a lot of mistakes, and hopefully learned from them all. And, from all this learning, these experiences and mistakes, I can try to help others benefit from them and be better. So, if you need an Expert, a Guru, a Thought-leader, etc., … …you know, a label… …then don’t call me. But, if you’re looking for some insight, some support, some guidance … …someone to come along side you and walk the journey with you … …someone who’s been there, done that and got the t-shirt… …someone who wants to help you, support you, and see you succeed….. …then, let’s have a conversation. No, my time isn’t free. BUT, it is nothing like the cost of someone selling A LABEL.

My long Saturday post. I hope you’re all enjoying your weekend! Hello, wonderful professionals! Today, let's embark on a journey of growth and positivity as we explore the topic of promotions. Instead of feeling disheartened when others receive promotions, let's focus on personal growth. Join me as we embrace this exciting path together! Rather than dwelling on negative thoughts, let's reflect on ourselves and identify areas of improvement. To enhance our professional journey, I recommend embracing the power of a VIP (Very Influential Professional) network. Select three individuals who inspire you and have achieved remarkable success, then ask them to be a part of your VIP network. Taking an old-school approach, be direct and candid when seeking mentorship. By inviting these very influential professionals into your VIP network, you create a space where their guidance and wisdom can shape your growth. It's an honor to have such influential individuals investing their time and expertise in your journey. I will usually only have 3. So, if you’ve been asked by me. I simply view you as a remarkable professional and very delighted to have you on this journey. Office gossip and drama can hinder our potential. Surround yourself with positive and supportive influences – individuals who believe in your abilities and can serve as mentors. Mentors provide invaluable insights and help unlock our hidden potential. Remember, learning is a beautiful lifelong adventure. Embrace the mindset that there's always room for growth, no matter how experienced you become. This mindset opens doors to new opportunities and endless possibilities, not to mention growth and opportunities. I love watching people grow in their professional life. Let's shift our focus from complaints to empowerment, striving to be the best versions of ourselves through continuous learning, improvement, and guidance from mentors. By fostering a positive and growth-oriented environment, we create a thriving community where everyone flourishes. So, let’s remember to give it our perfect effort! Join me on this incredible journey of growth, supporting one another every step of the way. Are you ready to seize control of your professional path? Let's embrace the beauty of growth together! * * * * * 💪 #EmbraceGrowthWithPositivity #SupportAndThriveTogether #howsuccesfulpeoplelead #UnleashYourPotential #BuildingAVIPNetwork #reimaginecorrections

You need a mentor, but don't ask for one. Here's why you need a mentor, and how you can get one: A mentor accelerates your professional and personal growth. Scheduling time with experienced individuals brings you closer to career goals. Many people struggle to identify or effectively build relationships with potential mentors. “The Journal of Psychology found that people who are mentored receive higher levels of compensation, more promotions and enjoy higher job satisfaction.” But You need to think about what you can offer the mentor, not what the mentor can offer you. Mentors need to get something out of it as well. Here’s what you can offer them: • Very specific first message • Your skills or knowledge on a specific topic • Organising or running events • Connections with other people • Genuine contact to update them on your journey Mentor Matching Where you want to be in 12-18 months. What do you need to learn to get there? Identify people in the position you want to be in - Are they active on socials? - Speaking at conferences or podcasts? These signals show they're active and open to helping you. Reaching Out Make your first message count by being direct and specific. Avoid vague asks like “how do I start” as they make it harder to help. Think: - Why are contacting them - Briefly state your goal and how they can assist - Ask a specific question or identify a problem Warming The Relationship You need to build the connection. Remember you do this by offering value. If you find something that might be valuable share it. If they offer advice, use it and follow up with them. Make the effort and transform it into a real connection. Be realistic about their time and knowledge. Replies may take time, some info might be off-limits, or you may not get a response. Regularly following these steps will help you build meaningful connections for your development.

A growth mindset is a lucky mindset—it pushes you to take small steps. One way to practice adopting a growth mindset? Add the word “yet” to your statements of doubt. “Yet” statements invite your brain into the process of learning. Whatever is making you feel anxious about job search or networking—take a moment and apply the word "yet".   For example, ·  I am not good at interviews… yet. ·  I am not comfortable reaching out to others… yet. ·  I haven’t figured out how to own my accomplishments… yet.       (Personally, I am working on—“I haven’t learned to deal with imposter syndrome… yet.”) Applying a growth mindset: 🍀 Helps make your own luck. "Yet" implies that you are in the process of improving. The more you practice the better you will be come. 🐬 Flips you from a fixed mindset. Continually learning and growth are keys to keeping us engaged throughout our careers while making us mentally healthy. 💚 Makes you less jealous. It is easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves with others in a deficient manner.  A growth mindset pushes us to seek out what we can learn from others to improve ourselves.   Maybe whatever you are working on to improve doesn't go right the first time. But you've increased your luck for the next time because you have practiced. Now you can reassess and figure out your approach for the next time. And the next time. And the next. Because you are not there... yet. Adopt a growth mindset to increase your luck. Remember this rhyme for next time: To build a growth mindset, Take a pause. Add the word “yet”. #careers #selfadvocacy #growthmindset #learninganddevelopment Picture by the awesome Liz Fosslien

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed and maintain a perfect social image? It's time to refocus on what truly matters. The relentless pursuit of success often becomes entangled with the need to curate an impeccable social image, especially for younger generations. Platforms are flooded with stories of overnight successes and flawless careers, but behind these highlight reels are the realities of stress, burnout, and the fear of missing out. Young professionals, it's essential to recognize that real success is not just a well-edited post or an impressive title. It's about meaningful work, personal growth, and the journey that comes with both highs and lows. The constant comparison and competition, fueled by social media, can distort your perception of success and hinder your authentic development. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of social images, challenge yourself to define your own version of success. Ask yourself what makes you feel fulfilled and passionate. It’s time to shift the focus from how your achievements look to others to how those achievements make you feel about yourself. I urge you to seek mentors who can guide you through this complex landscape. Look for individuals whose careers resonate with your values and who demonstrate a balance between professional accomplishments and personal well-being. These mentors can provide invaluable insights and support as you carve out your own path. Remember, your professional journey should be a reflection of who you are and who you want to become, not just a performance for an audience. Let's strive for authenticity and purpose in our careers. Reach out, connect, and start building a network that truly understands and supports your unique aspirations. Let’s redefine success together. Start today by finding a mentor on LinkedIn who aligns with your genuine interests and can help navigate the challenges ahead. This is not just about climbing the ladder; it’s about building a ladder worth climbing. #personaldevelopment #career