I love the closing "And trust me, when you get there, you’ll know it when you feel it." Apart from the subject of the piece itself, I usually mention the same for those embracing portfolio career. Regardless the writing and coaching I may help others, once they get in the flow they will feel it.
Sometimes, the real challenge of not fitting into an organization comes down to a disconnect between what leaders or hiring managers say they want and what they actually support.
I once worked at a place where they emphasized wanting someone who could think outside the box, be a team player, and bring fresh ideas. But in reality, the environment was far from supportive. There was no psychological safety, the hierarchy stifled collaboration, and new ideas were strictly top-down. The status quo was so deeply entrenched that meaningful change felt nearly impossible.
100% agree. Often times what leaders say they want in a new hire are another way of saying “I want to fix the problems we have in our company but I’m not yet ready to realize that the problems are because of me and no new hire, no matter how good, will solve them on their own.”
In fact, maybe I should write an article about that, eh?
I think that would resonate with many people. I think it is more common than we realize. I saw it over and over again throughout my years in academia when I was part of hiring committees. That and the other problem I saw was that they didn't look for transferable skills but people who knew exactly how to do the job which didn't make sense either because sometimes the jobs were so specialized it would be rare to find people who did them excluding those who could bring a skill set to learn that might actually be a better fit.
I haven't but I do think it's worth exploring because there is a huge disconnect. My other least favorite question that used to be consistently asked in interviews was: where do you see yourself in 5 years?
When a positive culture is present, its goodness is so evident that anyone who enters can feel it. In my previous team, my goal was to encourage everyone to practice kindness and openness towards one another. Eventually, we began receiving feedback from our customers, stating that they felt the warmth in our environment. They could sense the positive energy that kindness brought out in people.
I love the closing "And trust me, when you get there, you’ll know it when you feel it." Apart from the subject of the piece itself, I usually mention the same for those embracing portfolio career. Regardless the writing and coaching I may help others, once they get in the flow they will feel it.
Absolutely. Regardless of what you are doing - once you are in the flow, you will feel it.
Lovely way to end 2024. Merry Christmas Jeff. More of the same in 25?
Merry Christmas to you too!
Yes, more in 2025 but hopefully better.
💪
Sometimes, the real challenge of not fitting into an organization comes down to a disconnect between what leaders or hiring managers say they want and what they actually support.
I once worked at a place where they emphasized wanting someone who could think outside the box, be a team player, and bring fresh ideas. But in reality, the environment was far from supportive. There was no psychological safety, the hierarchy stifled collaboration, and new ideas were strictly top-down. The status quo was so deeply entrenched that meaningful change felt nearly impossible.
100% agree. Often times what leaders say they want in a new hire are another way of saying “I want to fix the problems we have in our company but I’m not yet ready to realize that the problems are because of me and no new hire, no matter how good, will solve them on their own.”
In fact, maybe I should write an article about that, eh?
I think that would resonate with many people. I think it is more common than we realize. I saw it over and over again throughout my years in academia when I was part of hiring committees. That and the other problem I saw was that they didn't look for transferable skills but people who knew exactly how to do the job which didn't make sense either because sometimes the jobs were so specialized it would be rare to find people who did them excluding those who could bring a skill set to learn that might actually be a better fit.
Another really good point. Have you written any articles about these two? I can link to yours when/if I write something.
I haven't but I do think it's worth exploring because there is a huge disconnect. My other least favorite question that used to be consistently asked in interviews was: where do you see yourself in 5 years?
When a positive culture is present, its goodness is so evident that anyone who enters can feel it. In my previous team, my goal was to encourage everyone to practice kindness and openness towards one another. Eventually, we began receiving feedback from our customers, stating that they felt the warmth in our environment. They could sense the positive energy that kindness brought out in people.