The traditional linear career path is disappearing in the 21st century world of work. This thought-provoking and engaging book follows the first groups of the Boomer generation worldwide as they begin to take steps away from a linear career path into an uncharted stage somewhere in between middle-age and old-age, a full-time professional life and retirement in the traditional sense of the word. After decades in successful careers in the United States, Europe, and Asia, these interviewees found themselves nearing the glass ceiling of age and facing traditional retirement. The problem was, nothing about this traditional "next step" corresponded to their aspirations or potential. All of them still felt in the prime of life, had no intention of getting in the back seat, and playing a passive role, but no longer wished to pursue the linear corporate, academic, or industrial career path to its bitter end.
Unlike in earlier stages of career change, where one choice must often be made among the many possibilities, for people at this stage, plurality and flexibility are key. This desire for plurality and to extend "the prime of life" by a decade or more, can mean Non-Executive Board work, applying business expertise in a non-profit environment, living out a passion, mentoring or academic work, and for many, a little of each. But all the choices reveal a deeper and urgent desire to take control and fulfill some of the dreams that were set aside when this generation began their careers: resolving the work-life balance, making a difference, and doing it their way. Using the wisdom and lessons learned from these interviews, the authors put forward an essential road map for professionals in business and academia, or for entrepreneurs, who are contemplating this type of change. It is vital to understand the essential steps, such as managing one's network, dealing with time, and the choice of plurality when preparing for and living through this career and life-changing process. Some of these steps can and should be taken while still working in a full-time career, while others provide directions and subjects of reflection when planning and living through this change.
Everyone recognizes leaders with “presence.” They stand out for their seemingly innate ability to command attention and inspire commitment. But what is this secret quality they exude, exactly?
Executive and CEO coach Kristi Hedges demystifies this elusive trait, revealing that presence is the intersection of outward influencing skills and internal mental conditioning. Using her I-Presence model, the author shows how anyone—regardless of position or personality—can strengthen their impact. Readers will learn how to build trust as the foundation for leadership, eschew perfectionism for authenticity, banish limiting thoughts and behaviors, and galvanize their team through visionary, inspiring communications.
Stellar technical knowledge, a strong work ethic, excellent presentation skills—none of these tangible traits puts people on the career fast track as readily as a compelling presence. Filled with profiles of leaders with powerful presence and the latest neuroleadership research translated into actionable habits, this authoritative guide puts a little-understood, but potentially game-changing, tool within everyone’s reach.
Build your mental "muscles" to achieve any business goal
People with inborn talent may be good at what they do--but only the mentally tough reach the highest plateaus in their field. And here's the best news of all: mental toughness is something anyone can learn. Director of mental training for the St. Louis Cardinals and a top-tier executive coach, Jason Selk knows everything there is to know about developing the mental toughness required for achieving any goal in you set for yourself. In fact, the techniques he outlines in this book are the same ones he used to help the Cardinals defeat the heavily favored Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series. Based on the vision of legendary basketball coach John Wooden, Selk's program is a simple as it is effective. But that doesn't mean it's easy. You have to put effort into your drive to success; it's the only way to build up your mental "muscles." So Selk provides hands-on daily exercises for breaking old, self-defeating patterns of behavior and replacing them with the kind can-do attitude and positive behavior that would make Coach Wooden proud. Executive Toughness outlines the three fundamentals for achieving any goal: ACCOUNTABILITY--admit to mistakes, correct them, and, most importantly, learn from them FOCUS--on your strengths, on winning, on reaching your goal ...for only 100 seconds per day OPTIMISM--don't just believe you can succeed, know you can succeed Executive Toughness takes you through the steps of making these critical behaviors part of your everyday routine. Practice your accountability, focus, and optimism, and you'll be on the path to attaining your goals; make them part of your mental "DNA," and there will be no turning back--ever. A complete regimen from a leading expert on developing the mindset for attaining goals, Executive Toughness is your workout for ultimate success in your career and in your life. Jason Selkthe author of 10-Minute Toughness, Director of Mental Training for the St. Louis Cardinals, and an executive coach.
It’s only because they like me. I was in the right place at the right time. I just work harder than the others. I don’t deserve this. It’s just a matter of time before I am found out. Someone must have made a terrible mistake.
If you are a working woman, chances are this internal monologue sounds all too familiar. And you’re not alone. From the high-achieving Ph.D. candidate convinced she’s only been admitted to the program because of a clerical error to the senior executive who worries others will find out she’s in way over her head, a shocking number of accomplished women in all career paths and at every level feel as though they are faking it—impostors in their own lives and careers.
While the impostor syndrome is not unique to women, women are more apt to agonize over tiny mistakes, see even constructive criticism as evidence of their shortcomings, and chalk up their accomplishments to luck rather than skill. They often unconsciously overcompensate with crippling perfectionism, overpreparation, maintaining a lower profile, withholding their talents and opinions, or never finishing important projects. When they do succeed, they think, Phew, I fooled ’em again.
An internationally known speaker, Valerie Young has devoted her career to understanding women’s most deeply held beliefs about themselves and their success. In her decades of in-the-trenches research, she has uncovered the often surprising reasons why so many accomplished women experience this crushing self-doubt.
In The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, Young gives these women the solution they have been seeking. Combining insightful analysis with effective advice and anecdotes, she explains what the impostor syndrome is, why fraud fears are more common in women, and how you can recognize the way it manifests in your life. With her empowering, step-by-step plan, you will learn to take ownership of your success, overcome self-doubt, and banish the thought patterns that undermine your ability to feel—and act—as bright and capable as others already know you are.
