Building Professional Credibility

You do not have to be the smartest person in the room to be a top performer. Here is the recipe for success: 🥘 I’ve become a top performer in every professional environment I’ve worked in, and it’s not from raw intellect. It is down to 12 essential behaviors - here’s how you can show them: 1/ Get Things Done ↳ Focus on your most important 1-2 tasks each day. ↳ At the end of each day, look at your output. Ask yourself, how much did you get done? Repeat. 2/ Listen Before Speaking ↳ After someone speaks, check you understand what they meant before responding. ↳ People will like you more for it and there will be less miscommunication. 3/ Take Accountability ↳ When you make a mistake, own it. “That was my mistake, I’m sorry” ↳ Then discuss what you learnt from it and what you’ll do differently next time. 4/ Build Relationships with your Colleagues ↳ You will annoy your colleagues at times. Build up goodwill with them by taking an interest in their personal lives. ↳ Make them laugh. Grab coffee. You’re spending more than 50% of your life with these people. 5/ Be Solution Oriented ↳ Don't come to your manager with problems. ↳ Come with your proposed solution and let them react (it makes their life easier). 6/ Think Team Before “Me” ↳ Put the team's goals first. You'll get credit for it. ↳ Help your colleagues. Mentor others. 7/ Manage Upwards ↳ If you are busy, your manager should know. The key is to communicate without sounding complainy. 8/ Show High Integrity ↳ Set the standard for behavior among your colleagues. You will stand out as a leader before you are one. 9/ Be Open Minded ↳ Be willing to change your mind with new information. 10/ Show Humility ↳ Give credit generously to others. ↳ Be willing to be wrong, change your mind, and take feedback. 11/ Love Upskilling ↳ Learn new skills (e.g. using AI) to make you better at your job. ↳ Take online courses to improve your strengths and mitigate weaknesses. 12/ Communicate with Radical Candor ↳ Don't shy away from difficult conversations. ↳ Ask for and give feedback regularly. Be direct and kind. Focus feedback on actions and the consequences. Use these simple behavioral changes to become a world-class performer and level up your career. --- ♻️ Repost this to help your network become top performers. 📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this? 1. Just follow me Will McTighe 2. Sign up for my free Level Up Community at https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Have you ever worried whether how you dress helps you fit in with your organization's executives or inadvertently fuels stereotypes about your identity? As a Latina climbing the corporate ladder, I've tailored my style to meet dusty norms of executive presence and leadership potential more times than I'd like to admit. Constantly calculating, "Does this lipstick make me stand out too much? Is this skirt hugging my curves too tightly? Are these hoops too bold?" Spoiler alert: Those days of style-numbing conformity are over! Last week, I confidently walked into a boardroom in this lovely summer dress while everyone else was wilting in their suits. We can do hard things while embracing style. I love a beautifully tailored suit, but it doesn't prove my worth. Dressing professionally shouldn't mean giving up parts of myself or pretending to be someone I'm not. My confidence, power, and expertise shine brightest when I wear what makes me feel like me. Who's with me? #futureofwork #authenticity #styleintheboardroom #diversityequityandinclusion #inclusiveleadership

Job titles don‘t make you a leader. Here‘s what does: 1. Emotional Intelligence: Great leaders use their emotional intelligence to build strong connections, have tough conversations with empathy, and create an environment where people feel heard and valued. 2. Leading by Example: Leaders inspire the qualities they want to see in their team members, such as hard work, dedication, and integrity, by demonstrating these qualities. 3. Owning Mistakes: Great leaders take full accountability when things go wrong instead of deflecting blame. They own their mistakes, apologize, and focus on finding solutions. It encourages a culture of transparency and continuous improvement. 4. Providing Mentorship: They share their knowledge and experience to help others grow. They take the time to coach, provide feedback, and help others grow their skills and reach their potential. 5. Gratitude: It’s about showing thankfulness and valuing the work of your team. It helps build a positive work environment and strengthens relationships. 6. Integrity: Leaders with integrity tell the truth, honor their word, and uphold values over politics or personal gain. It involves doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. 7. Humility: They recognize that they don’t have all the answers and are open to learning from others. Recognizing that you don't have all the answers and being open to feedback and criticism is essential for growth and improvement as a leader. 8. Accountability: Accountability means taking ownership of your team's results, whether they are positive or negative. It fosters a culture of reliability and trust. 9. Empowering Others: Real leaders enable their people by delegating important work, setting clear responsibilities, and getting out of the way. 10. Empathy: The best leaders can put themselves in someone else's shoes. They see things from other perspectives and make efforts to understand the whole context of a situation before judging or reacting. ♻️ Too many people deal with bad managers, please help them by sharing this post!

Study Findings: The Impact of Attire on Negotiation Outcomes As part of a comprehensive study on negotiation dynamics, I conducted a captivating experiment in the heart of Copenhagen. The focus? The subtle yet profound influence of attire on interpersonal interactions. A student, strategically positioned outside a bustling train station, served as the catalyst for our investigation. On the first day, meticulously attired as a successful businessman, he adeptly solicited assistance from passersby, citing a misplaced wallet. The outcome was remarkable—an impressive $250 collected by day's end. Day two introduced a pivotal shift. Dressed in casual attire, the student repeated the plea for assistance, albeit with markedly different results. Contributions plummeted to a modest $42, highlighting the nuanced impact of attire on generosity and perception. Finally, day three saw a deliberate departure from conventional attire. Embracing the appearance of destitution, the student's appeal for aid yielded sparse responses, reaffirming the profound influence of visual cues on social interactions. These findings underscore the significance of image management in negotiation settings. As negotiators, understanding the intricacies of perception can be instrumental in achieving favorable outcomes. To those who doubt the significance of attire or intentionally adopt a casual appearance, consider this: your wardrobe speaks volumes. Whether you're a skeptic or simply prefer a laid-back approach, it's time for a rethink. Your attire isn't just fabric; it's a statement, a reflection of your professionalism and demeanor. So before you dismiss the power of dressing for success, consider the impact it can have on your interactions and opportunities. #negotiationtraining #negotiation Tine Anneberg Gražvydas Jukna Jason Myrowitz Mayra Martinez Nikken Pedro Alzugaray BMI Executive Institute UCLouvain I BMI Executive Institute AAU Executive - MBA and HD at Aalborg University

Embrace your authenticity Almost 30 years ago I joined Wall Street as an equity research analyst. There’s been a lot of growth and change since then — not just in my #career, but also in the financial #markets, the broader #economy and the world at large. Smartphones, social media and a global pandemic are just a few of the forces that have shaped our lives in transformative ways.   Today’s up-and-coming young professionals are facing futures that will be affected by these changes and by many more we can’t predict or even imagine yet. As I mark almost 30 years in the industry, what’s the most important advice I can offer this generation? Embrace your authenticity. To some degree, everyone wants to “fit in.” But from where I grew up to where I went to school to how I landed my first job in the industry, I knew I was far from the norm — a feeling reinforced early in my career when I was often the only woman of color in the room. Whatever unique characteristics may challenge your sense of belonging, resist the impulse to keep a low profile or assimilate with the crowd. Instead, recognize that there’s power in the perspective and experience you bring to the table. Consensus may be comfortable, but it’s not always necessary or even desirable. Going against the grain when circumstances call for it is a philosophy that has served me well over time and flows through to my investment approach in my current role as Nuveen, a TIAA company’s CIO. I’m proud to be part of a firm that recognizes how valuable diversity of thought, background and education is to thriving in an ever-changing world. Whether you’re in your 30th or the 3rd year of your career, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Posting on social media can be scary. Now imagine you work for an organization and they ask you to post company content. Many employees will find this easier than trying it on your own. The content is prepared for you, and it’s brand approved. The message is also written for you so there’s a feeling of safety. All you need to do is click share. It’s a corporate comfort zone! While this can be a starting point for one’s journey on social media… …the real magic happens when you break free and share your points of view. Your network wants to hear what you have to say, not what the brand has to say. So before you click share on your next pre-written post, here are a few simple ways to personalize it to your voice: 📌 Sharing a podcast? Tell you audience what they will learn by tuning in. Even better if there’s a moment in the podcast that delivers some real notable moments state that in your message so they go straight to that timestamp. 📌 Sharing a blog or report? Be clear what questions will be answered by reading it. Or share three key takeaways, or how it address a common obstacle or provides insights around an industry trend. 📌 Sharing a job opening? Tell people what it’s like to work for your organization. If you’re the hiring manager share what it’s like working for you. Pushing out of a comfort zone is tough. Swipe through below for three more tips to help you connect with your audience in a relevant and meaningful way. Have you tried any of them? Please share your experiences or obstacles in the comments. ⬇️ #EmployeeAdvocacy #SocialSelling #Marketing #career

To have a breakthrough in career, working hard and gaining relevant knowledge are not sufficient. You will also need someone to believe in you and give you a chance. However, a strong relationship is not necessary. In fact, a 1973 paper by Stanford sociologist Mark Granovetter found that a person’s weak ties—their casual connections and loose acquaintances—were more helpful than their strong ones in securing employment. "Your weak ties connect you to networks that are outside of your own circle," Granovetter said. "They give you information and ideas that you otherwise would not have received." Here are three ways my students build relationships and expand their network: 1. Be Thoughtful and Anticipate What Others Need My teaching assistant, Jinho Kim, bought me and my guests a bottle of water each before we started the workshop at National University of Singapore. Small gestures like this can create long-lasting positive impressions. Another student, Jun Kyn Ang 洪进健, took photos of us speaking and sent them to me after the session. It helps me remember him better. 2. Be a Connector Introduce people with complementary needs, e.g., a foreigner to a local or a student to a working professional. A few years ago, Calvin Wee 黄建咏, a student at the time, introduced me to NUS Business School Career Service's Eddie Phua, who has since engaged me to teach. Even if you are junior, don’t underestimate the value you can bring. 3. Develop a Useful Skill When I taught at Schwarzman Scholars, a student offered to take a portrait photo of me after class. It is the one you see on my LinkedIn profile. I have since used it for all my social media profiles and book cover. Jake Gaba and I stay in touch to this day. How do you build relationships? Have you gotten a job because of a weak tie? Except for my first two jobs, all my jobs have been obtained through referrals. (Photo: to help students build relationship and expand their network, I brought four guests, Simon T., Rena Kwok, Louis Tan and Alvin Mah) #66smallactions #weakties #networking

Your words are your currency. And every sentence is a deposit or a withdrawal in your career. Most people think strategy drives success. But often, it’s the story you tell — about yourself, to yourself, and around others — that shapes what comes next. Let me show you what I mean. A senior leader I coached — we’ll call her Maya — was up for a major internal promotion. Brilliant. Qualified. Respected. But in every stakeholder meeting, she kept saying things like: → I’m just here to support. → This might be a dumb question. → I don’t want to overstep. One day, she overheard an executive say: She’s incredibly smart. But I’m not sure she sees it. And if she doesn’t, how can we? That’s when it hit me. Maya wasn’t lacking competence. She was leaking credibility through language. Because every word you speak teaches people how to value you. Your language shapes your perception before your résumé ever does. Here’s what I teach high-achieving leaders to watch for: 1. Cut the disclaimers Instead of: “This might be a silly idea” Try: “Here’s a bold idea I’ve been considering.” 2. Speak in headlines, not hedges Instead of: “I was kind of thinking” Try: “I recommend” or “My take is” 3. Claim your wins out loud Instead of: It was a team effort Try: “I led the rollout and collaborated across teams. A special thank you to…” 4. Swap apologizing for articulating Instead of: “Sorry for the delay” Try: “Thanks for your patience , here’s where we are” Note: Use judgment to decide when an apology is truly necessary 5. Reflect powerfully, not passively Instead of: “I hope this makes sense” Try: “Let me know how this clicks for you” Every word you speak builds your brand in real time. Not the logo kind. The leadership kind. Your voice in meetings. Your framing in emails. Your tone in tense moments. That’s your real résumé. And it updates every day. Your words can open doors. Or quietly close them. Speak like the role you’re growing into. Not the one you’re shrinking to fit. Because in leadership, language is leverage. What’s one phrase you’re letting go of this quarter? Tag a leader whose words elevate every room. Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for practical coaching that works in real life.

If you have MAJOR Interview Anxiety, the following tips will help you: During my job search, even after giving 40 interviews, I was still anxious as to what would happen in the next one. If you face something similar, believe me, you are not alone. After struggling with Interview Anxiety for a long time, I was able to come up with a solid set of techniques that highly boosted my confidence in the interviews I gave towards the end of my job search process. The following tips will not just help you survive but thrive in your next interview. Here it goes: 1. Research the company: For an interviewer, one of the biggest pet peeves is candidates who don't know anything about the job or the company. You must know the role inside out and understand their culture. This knowledge will not only boost your confidence but also show the interviewer that you're serious about joining their team! 2. STAR Method: This is the secret sauce of acing job interviews. The STAR method is a structured approach for answering behavioral interview questions. It involves describing a Situation, Task, Action, and Result to showcase your skills and experiences effectively, providing a clear and concise response. 3. Mock Interviews: Practice makes perfect! Grab a friend, or a mentor, or even talk to yourself in front of a mirror. Practice common questions, refine your answers, and get comfortable expressing your achievements and experiences. This will help you live the interview in advance and be your biggest confidence booster. 4. Don't be afraid to admit you don't know the answer: Interviewers don't expect candidates to know the answer to every question. If you don't know, say you don't, but also ask the interviewer to explain the solution and write it down. This shows you are earnest and willing to learn when needed. 5. Relax: This is always easier said than done but do your best. Take a moment to breathe, smile, and exude confidence. Remember, the interviewer wants you to succeed. Embrace the excitement and let your authentic self shine through! You've got this! Lastly, I know that the market is terrible and the lay-offs are at a peak high, yet you are not alone. There are thousands more going through the same emotions as you. Believe me, if you are looking for a job right now, the right job is looking for you too. It is only a matter of time before striking the right opportunity. Trust in your preparation, showcase your unique value and soon you’ll be on your way to landing your dream job. May your next interview be the stepping stone to an incredible new chapter! P.S: If you find the above techniques useful, check out my other articles for proven tips to succeed in your job search process!

I landed my dream job without applying, or even looking! Here's how: Job hunting has completely transformed in today's market. ↳ Your online presence is the new Resume. ↳ Your LinkedIn profile is the new Cover Letter. ↳ Your projects and certifications are the new Curriculum Vitae. Optimize these to position yourself, so that the job finds you.. ...before you find it! Here's how YOU can position yourself: 1) Optimize your LinkedIn profile • Intentionally tailor your profile to ONE niche, example: Cloud, AI, etc. • Have a professional headshot; add accurate background logistical info. • Add supporting media to advocate for your background information. 2) Showcase your work • Use your 'Headline' space effectively to highlight roles you desire. • Add references to your GitHub, personal portfolio, personal blog. • Make sure they're easy to find with custom buttons on LinkedIn header. 3) Let your Industry Certifications advocate for you • Certifications boost your credibility in terms of skill, discipline and grit. • Highlight them in the LinkedIn header. For example: 4x AWS certified. • Insert verification credentials accurately in the 'Certification' section. 4) Double down on your uniqueness • In a market where tech skills are common, show your differentiated value. • Display academic achievements, personal projects, volunteering activities. • Get creative and double down on YOUR uniqueness and personality. 5) Join relevant communities to increase visibility • Find communities related to industries you want to get hired in. • Engage in discussions and add your unique perspectives. • Talk about your work in the field; you could catch the attention of that one recruiter/hiring manager that can change your life. 6) Important: Perfect your craft while positioning yourself • Hone your technical and communication skills to be interview ready. • Learn to articulate your responses in STAR + SOAR methods. • Ask meaningful questions during your interview. This one's a differentiator! 7) Stay positive and resilient • Getting an interview is Step 1, but cracking it is another story. • Learn the ART of interviewing - this takes practice, rejections, and research. • It's okay to get rejected, they bring you closer to the ONE YES you need. 💡 Pro Tip: Boost your credibility with free identity verification on LinkedIn. 💡💡Pro-Max Tip: Maintain a positive and professional demeanor ALWAYS! #Recruiters and #JobSearch experts - what additional advice would you add? #recruitment #jobhunting #opentowork #hiring #aws #amazon #job2024