Soft Skills - Ask a Wharton MBA
Develop Soft Skills – Work Smart & Live More
A few weeks ago, my friend and colleague—let’s call him Andy—came to me completely overwhelmed. He’s been raising the same flag to his manager for the past six months: he and his team are under-resourced and overworked. His manager listens, nods, but nothing changes. No extra hands. No realistic reprioritization. Just more piling on. ...
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on something I didn’t expect to be thinking about so much after leaving full-time work: contentment. Not success. Not achievement. Just contentment. For years, I chased financial goals believing that once I hit certain milestones, I’d finally feel “good.” Safe. Satisfied. And sure, money brings options and peace of mind—but it doesn’t automatically bring ease. It doesn’t create that deeper sense of being okay with yourself and your life. ...
I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of “yes” lately. It’s been just over a month since I said farewell to my last job, and instead of jumping straight into what’s next, I’ve intentionally made space — and within that space, I’ve said “yes” to things I wouldn’t have before.
And honestly? The results have surprised me. I’ve made more meaningful connections and sparked more ideas in these five weeks than I usually do in half a year. It’s reminded me of something important: you don’t have to leave your job or make a big life change to open yourself to growth. You can start saying “yes” right where you are. ...
Many dedicated professionals remain hidden in plain sight. They deliver exceptional work daily but struggle to advance their careers. The missing element isn’t skill or effort—it’s the ability to effectively communicate their value.
I’ve seen it countless times: some of the most talented, hardworking professionals I know aren’t getting promoted. They don’t shine in interviews either. Their expertise remains hidden because they simply don’t know how to talk about themselves. ...
Leadership transitions are tricky — even more so when your trusted manager goes on temporary leave, and you suddenly find yourself reporting to a skip-level boss. The dynamics shift, the expectations aren’t always clear, and even well-intentioned communication can be misunderstood.
In a recent coaching conversation, we explored Chelsea’s situation: a smart, capable team member grappling with this very challenge. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, confused, or unrecognized during a leadership transition, her story — and the lessons from it — may resonate with you. ...
It’s been two weeks since I officially said farewell to full-time work. You would think I’d be living the dream right now — waking up whenever I want, traveling the world, feeling nothing but freedom. After all, I worked 28 years for this. And yet, reality looks a little different.
The weirdest part? I’m actually having trouble sleeping. I use to sleep soundly for at least 7-8 hours. Now I find myself waking up at 5 or 6 am, thinking. It’s like my brain is floating around, searching for a new anchor now that the old one — work — is gone. Yes, financial freedom means I can have vocational freedom now – work with who I want, how I want, and on what I want. But what is that? I have some ideas but nothing concrete. Freedom sounds amazing in theory, but in practice? It’s a lot. ...
After 4+ unforgettable (and occasionally truly unhinged) years, it’s time to say farewell.
When I joined, I thought I was signing up for one job… but 4 months in, surprise! A merger turned all of our jobs upside down and gave us a front-row seat to a masterclass in change management (and “how to bond with strangers over shared chaos”). From there, it only got more interesting—company collapse, another acquisition, new teammates, new systems, new acronyms. ...