🦃 November 2024: Networking, New E-Course, Neurodiversity and More
In my last post I noted the wide variety of things that had happened for me in September, but that was only exceeded by this past October! WOW. Besides ongoing coaching work with several different companies, individuals and non-profits, I was thrilled to have my new course on how to manage Gen Z finally launch on LinkedIn Learning.
Ironically, though I had waited rather impatiently for this day to finally come, when it did I realized I was super nervous as well. I had no idea how it would be received and what to even expect. I’m IMMENSELY grateful to share that in less than a month, over 4,000 people have already taken the course, and it has received a 4.8 out of 5 rating. I am told that this has enabled it to be listed as one of the "popular" courses on LinkedIn learning, and I'm getting very kind messages from people around the world after they have taken the course. This is super gratifying, and I thank those of you who have helped to make that happen by taking it yourself and/or sharing about it with your networks.
Meanwhile, I have filmed another short form video for Madecraft and as of this writing, filming another one tomorrow. I am unable to share exactly what the topics are, but will let you know when they are released. Furthermore, I've been asked to create two more shorter courses and while I’ve drafted their outlines, I'll start writing them by the end of the month.
While these opportunities came to me unexpectedly (because I certainly never would've envisioned them for myself!) it has been really fun to for me to take a risk and do something I've never done before. I have discovered that, despite my age and stage, it is still very good to try new things. I recommend the same to you as well. May my recommendations for this month give you ideas as to how that could happen for you! Let’s get started!
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📚 The elite college students who can’t read books. This leaves me speechless. I was an obsessive reader as a child, probably read 2 books/week in college (granted, I was an English major!) and still read two books/month now. Having taught college students last Spring, I'm concerned about the inability to sustain concentration and worse, the lack of curiosity. And forget about problem-solving and critical thinking skills... just ask AI? 🤖 What can be done to change this?
🤷🏽♀️ Is Your Career Heading in the Right Direction? This is definitely one of the top 5 topics that come with my clients. I like this article because it’s not some obvious, generic listicle of 5 uptalk statements from some positive thinking poster… Rather, it provides a framework for quarterly career reflections that I heartily endorse.
👋🏽 How to Network on LinkedIn - Do’s and Don’ts. In the same vein, this article covers much of what I work through with many of my clients on how to punch up your profile and activity on LinkedIn, but this summarizes it all in one place. Hope it's helpful!
🗽 Integrity: the lost character quality. There are way, way too many articles out there about the Top 5 this and the Best 5 that when it comes to leadership, management, success, etc., but I like this list because of where it starts. I truly think that the quality of a person’s character is so lost in the fast-paced world we live in now. Coupled with the massive amount of shamelessness and lying that is now so prevalent, we seem to have forgotten to ask for depth of character in our leaders. One of the main things I coach to my clients is to not only affirm employees for their performance, but to recognize the qualities of their character. Imagine during a performance review if you also mentioned that you appreciated that the person was kind, or generous, or inclusive. Think about how you could integrate that in your next performance reviews and all hands meetings.
👨🏼🏫 What Neurodiverse People Wish Their Employers Knew. I was pretty oblivious to this topic until November 2021. Then I encountered a client that was more open about his ADHD and the whole world ended up opening up for me in terms of my work with so many of my clients. There are more people out there than you realize, and you could even be one of them yourself. How can we really be supportive, open and inclusive of everyone and not demand that everyone work in a certain way? This is not a long article… think about how you could learn more about neurodiversity.
📖 Book I’m Currently Reading. Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts. Written by Oliver Burkeman, one of my heroes when it comes to learning how to slow down. It has also proven to be really great to help me do some reflecting in the morning before I start my day.
🎧 New Favorite Podcast. How to Do Everything. Their summary says it all: “Half advice show. Half survival guide. Half absurdity-fest.” I really enjoy it's very dry and subtle humor. Maybe an acquired taste for some, but I really dig it.
🎹 New Favorite Music. Illinoise: A New Broadway Musical. OK, not entirely new, but I've had this on repeat recently. Sufjan Stevens is incredible. What an artist.
I’ll end with a quote from the Burkeman book… may it be a mere teaser that makes you want to get he book yourself!
But it’s equally true that often the real challenge, in building an accomplished and absorbing life, is learning to let go. Not making things happen, through willpower or effort, but cultivating the willingness to stand out of the way and let them happen instead.
Thanks for reading… if you like what you see, please pass this website along to a friend or co-worker. And if you have any questions, feedback or comments, hit me up at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me.
And if you are interested in getting some coaching in leadership development or career transitions, I have information under the coaching tab on this website. I would love to hear from you. Thanks!
