How to Network with Senior Executives – 5 Tips

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how to network with senior executives

I consider myself to be fairly competent at networking.  Even so, I still got intimidated when I thought about how to network with senior executives at my company.   I probably experienced some of the same self-doubt you have gone through:

  • Why would they want to build a relationship with me?  I don’t work with them day to day
  • They are probably too busy to connect with me.
  • I don’t want to come across like I’m “kissing up.”
  • How do I ask for a meeting?

In the last few months, I learned five great tips on networking with senior executives.  They have helped me authentically connect with three senior folks at my company.  Conversations with them have helped build my work brand and made me appreciate how much I can learn from each of them.  Here are the five tips.  I hope they can help you in your career. ...  read more

How to Tell a Story in a Presentation – 4 Simple Steps

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Storytelling is vital to a professional presentation. Once you learn how to tell a story in a presentation, you can build your reputation significantly.   Storytelling can help you connect personally with your audience and make your presentation more memorable.  

Many people hesitate to tell personal stories.  Common self-doubt include ...  read more

In a Tough Situation? Read this Poem and Ask Yourself 3 Questions

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charles-swindoll-attitude

I just randomly came across this poem by Charles Swindoll, called Attitude, posted on a store window.  I had to take a picture of it.  In a few short sentences he tells us the secret to achieving happiness.   No matter, what is happening in our lives and career,  we can always rely on our choice in attitude to shift our perspective. ...  read more

How Basketball Coach Valvano Changed My Career Perspective

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coach valvano

A big thank you to our Executive Author, Cindy Wong-Zarahn for writing this article

In the U.S., the national college basketball tournament affectionately known as “March Madness” mesmerizes much of the country for a few weeks in March. The latest tournament is recently behind us, and throughout the TV coverage I was reminded of one of the most inspirational speeches I have ever heard, from Coach Valvano back in 1993. ...  read more

Negotiating Job Offer – What 70% of People Fail to Do

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salary negotiations

In part 1 of our talk with Executive Author, Jane Lin, we discussed the Best Secret to Finding Your Dream Job.  Assuming you have a job offer, now what?  Should you negotiate?

We will have on average seven jobs in our life time.  Knowing how to negotiate job offers and initial salary at each new job can means the difference in ten of thousands of dollars in pay and give you a chance to impress our employer before we even start! ...  read more

Communicating Emotions at Work – 3 Tips

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emotion communication

When my kids were in daycare, they were gently cared for. They were nurtured. They had great snacks and long naps. And they were taught about communicating emotions.

I’ll never forget the first time I heard my daughter say, “Mommy, I don’t like that you said that. When you say that it makes me feel sad.” Really? Yeesh. But you know what? I quickly grew to love and appreciate this communication skill. My daughter was able to clearly express her feelings and I was then able to respond to meet her need. Of course, sometimes it was just to say, “I understand that you feel sad. You can have a cookie AFTER dinner.” ...  read more

Best Secret to Finding Your Dream Job

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no-limits

Do you want to find any job or your dream job?  The focus of this post and podcast is for all those who want the latter – a dream job!  Finding any job requires many of the same things – a great resume, good interview and networking skills, and a relentless effort to keep applying.  However, there is one difference in finding a dream job – a secret shared by Jane Lin, our newest Executive Author to the Soft Skills Gym. ...  read more