Career Confessions

Managing a high-powered career while raising a family and maintaining a happy, healthy marriage can be difficult. Usually, the end of the workday doesn't leave much of you left for your family. So, how can you successfully leave work at work, and switch gears so you can be present for your family? Richard Burke is a Certified Professional Coach, Experienced business consultant, Educator/Professor, and Digital Marketing Expert. He's spent his career in leadership roles, including 10 years as President of a $25 million eCommerce company and five years as Vice President of eCommerce at a Fortune 500 Company. He's also been married for almost 40 years and successfully raised three children. So how did he do it all, and do it all well? On this episode of Career Confessions, Richard sits down with me to explain how he successfully put his wife and family first while navigating a highly influential career. He shares the 2 keywords you need to focus on to be successful in any relationship and 3 tips for successfully managing a high-powered career while being sure your real world doesn't crumble around you.

Richard discusses his family first, work second philosophy and how having only one schedule can help you give everything that's important to you the proper priority. We discuss how he managed his decision-making process for taking the next step and grabbing the next opportunity. Now, Richard is coaching people with transition journeys, whether that be Veterans transitioning out of military service, recent college graduates, or executives focused on growing their careers and their businesses the right way while maintaining a successful personal life. Listen in for insight on ways you can look at things through a different lens by following Richard's advice for a successful work-life journey so you can feel reach your full career potential while living life on the terms you want.

Key Takeaways

Richard shares his family first, work second philosophy

How to be present and listen for a successful relationship

How you can be effective at work by being effective at home

Richard shares the date night tradition that led to a happy marriage, and a high-powered career

How combining your professional and personal schedule helps you give everything the proper priority

How successful leaders raise their team up by getting out of the way

The key to taking in as much knowledge as you can through observing the leaders you work for

How Richard's love for sharing knowledge led him to his coaching journey

Connect with Richard

Richard on LinkedIn

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Learn More About Success Blueprint Group Coaching

Review Career Confessions on Apple PodcastsMultipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman

How do you deal with misunderstandings? Do you find yourself wishing you would have said something or worse, wishing you had said something else? Do you shut down, zone out, and reach for the ice cream instead of moving through it and forward?Sometimes a conversation makes us feel like our judgment is being questioned. Or maybe we're having a discussion where we feel like we're not being listened to, heard, or (my biggest pet peeve), feeling like we're being dismissed. We all have those triggers when we're communicating with others that just seem to get under our skin and hang on long after we've said goodbye. Sometimes, we try and brush the situation under the rug, thinking it's best to just move on. But that technique for dealing with conflict can leave you feeling exhausted, reaching for the remote to watch something or mindlessly scrolling to zone out and put off work.Conflict is a natural part of human relationships, but unresolved conflict can damage our relationships, leave us feeling powerless, and can even stunt our growth. So, what can you do to deal with conflict in a healthy, empowered way? Today on Career Confessions, I'll walk you through the process I use for addressing conflict that allows me to understand both myself and the other person better, leaving us both feeling more empowered. Listen to this episode to learn how to deal with conflict in a way that will help you show up better, and maybe even move you closer to becoming the person you want to be, in business and in life. After you listen, don't forget to tag me to share your takeaways.

Key Takeaways

The first thing you should do when you find yourself in conflict

How to keep from jumping to conclusions that will only make the situation worse

Why putting our ego aside is the hardest thing to do

How gaining clarity can help you lead from a place of power and move forward

How being transparent in conflict can lead to stronger relationships How determining your personal pet peeves can prepare you for handling future conflicts

The number one way to navigate conflict in a way that will leave you better not bitter

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Review the Podcast on Apple

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Apply for Private Coaching

Private Coaching Questionnaire

Join Success Blueprint Vault

Subscribe to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the Podcast on Spotify

Where does empowerment begin?

It begins with taking ownership of our thoughts, decisions, and actions.

Are you happy with the ownership you are taking in your personal and professional life?

If not, when was the last time you did an ownership checkup?

Maybe you've had the feeling for a while that something is impeding your progress. Perhaps you've been indulging in more ice cream than usual, skipping workouts for marathon Netflix sessions, or arguing with your partner more than you would like. We all have those times when we realize we've stopped putting our best foot forward.

But have you taken the time to figure out what is driving your unnecessary stress and causing you to present yourself in a way that isn't making you proud?

There's a difference between just making yourself feel better for the moment and doing the things that are going to help you do better.

Zoning out to your favorite episode of NCIS makes you feel good, but the good feeling of that kind of stress release is fleeting. And inside we know that.

We are the owners of everything that happens in our lives, but we cannot fix what we don't know exists. Maybe it's time to have an honest conversation with the CEO of your life by taking a hard look in the mirror.

Today on Career Confessions, I'm sharing the 2 questions I ask myself to make sure I'm leaning into the things that will assure I do better and not just feel better.

Listen in to hear how you can take ownership of your thoughts and actions by seeking out the support systems that will put you on a solid path to better long-term outcomes and a brighter future.

Key Takeaways

Who has the authority to change your life

Why there are no shortcut solutions to being better

The one word you need to speak out loud to help you hear what is going on inside

The secret to determining your own 'work in progress' areas

How to use challenges to help you visualize your true growth

How to invest in yourself to create a sustainable growth plan

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Apply for Private Coaching

Review the Podcast on Apple

Private Coaching Questionnaire

Join Success Blueprint Vault

Subscribe to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the Podcast on Spotify

Career Confessions EP73

The Great Resignation—with Evan Sohn

From remote to hybrid, part-time to freelance, life balance and skills-based, the way the world works is changing, and how we look for the next opportunity and discover top talent is changing with it.

It's more than the great resignation, it's the great revolution.

So, where do you turn when you need to hire? How can you connect with your next great position?

Evan Sohn has 25+ years of experience in eCommerce at Fortune 500 and successful start-up environments. He joined Recruiter.com in 2019 as the CEO. Recruiter.com is a destination site for all things talent acquisition and recruiting. At Recruiter.com, their mission is to empower businesses to recruit specialized talent faster with a virtual team of recruiters.

Evan says, "At Recruiter.com we're helping companies large and small with what is really their most precious asset."

On this episode of Career Confessions, Evan joins me to explain why he isn't calling the current economic trend of employee resignations the great resignation, he has a different name for it and what it means in terms of leveraging the plethora of opportunities available for those who are ready to make a move.

Evan discusses the new definition of a great employee and why in today's climate if you aren't moving, you aren't growing. Plus, he walks us through why everybody is more valuable now than they were two years ago.

Listen in for insight on what employers need to be doing if they want to retain their best and brightest people and how employees can leverage their skills to get what they really want from their work life.

Key Takeaways

What most people don't know about the great resignation

Evan offers his insight into the new definition of a great employee

How we're transforming the way we look at work and what the new "benefits" are

Why employers who aren't paying attention are losing on 2 different fronts

What's behind the rise of the 80% employee

How employees can best leverage their skills to land where they want

The key to hiring and retaining the best and the brightest people in this economy

The one question Evan is asking to move the needle at Recruiter.com

Connect with Evan

Evan on LinkedIn

Email [email protected]

Recruiter.com

Recruiter.com on LinkedIn

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Learn More About Success Blueprint Group Coaching

Review Career Confessions on Apple Podcasts

Do you find that your career growth trajectory sometimes feels overwhelming? What do you do when you are face to face with a problem you don't see a solution for?

Over the years, I have learned reaching for new heights in your business or professional life means facing new obstacles. As you continue to scale the summit, eventually, you will find yourself face to face with a bigger challenge than you have ever met before. And the bigger you've grown, the bigger that problem is going to be. Especially with rapid growth.

Recently, I had a problem that kept me up for several nights in a row. It felt insurmountable. I wondered how I would solve it. But I also wondered why this particular thing was causing such a monster disruption. It felt like I was in a perfect storm. I knew there was a solution, but I was having trouble finding it on my own.

On this episode of Career Confessions, I share the story of how looking outside of myself, and beyond those in my day-to-day life helped me overcome that struggle in my upward growth trajectory. Plus, I share the best investment I've ever made in myself and my business.

Listen in as I discuss what those big problems really mean and the importance of investing in yourself so you can continue chasing your BIG dreams. Key Takeaways

What do you do when you're facing a problem you don't see a solution toHow growing pains are a sign you are on the right pathWhy growing your career is like changing your workout regime

What it takes to keep pushing through when your career challenges keep getting bigger

Why your husband isn't the best sounding board for your business challengesHow I invested in myself to grow in my career and businessesThe secret support system behind most successful professionals Connect with AndreaAndrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Apply for Private Coaching

Private Coaching Questionnaire

Join Success Blueprint Vault

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Review the Podcast on Apple

Subscribe to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the Podcast on Spotify

What is the most important skill of a good leader?

Think back to the great bosses you have worked with. What qualities did they have that you wanted to emulate? Were they great at the technical aspects of their job? Did they have a good head for business or a high IQ? Or was it something more?

Being equipped with the hard skills necessary to perform your position is important. But other skills, like communication, collaboration, empathy, and adaptability, are equally valuable and should not be overlooked.

Those are soft skills. They include the personal qualities you bring into every boardroom. They are the traits that help you elevate individuals, empower teams effectively, and make a lasting impact.

We can always learn technical skills, and hard skills are ever evolving. Yet, a leader with a highly defined talent for communication or collaboration will always affect positive change in the work environment.

On this episode of Career Confessions, we're going to take a closer look at what it takes to deep dive into improving your soft skills, so you catapult your career growth.

Let me be honest with you, it can be hard for us to recognize our own innate soft skill superpowers. And it can be even more difficult to determine the areas where we need improvement. Working on elevating yourself is not something that comes naturally.

Listen to learn how having the right coach in your corner can help you improve your technical skills while growing your soft skills so you can make a bigger impact.

Key Takeaways

Why technical skills will only take you so far in your careerHow to become a leader that effectively solves problems

The key type of growth that pays the most dividendsWhy soft skills are vital to workplace culture

Why it's so hard to assess your personal soft skills How to pave your own way by leaning into your unique interpersonal attributes

My strategy for unearthing your soft skill superpowers

Connect with AndreaAndrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources Apply for Private Coaching

Private Coaching Questionnaire

Join Success Blueprint Vault

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Review the Podcast on Apple

Subscribe to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the Podcast on Spotify

Are you ready to transition from individual contributor to direct supervisor? If you want to be responsible for other people's performance, you need to do some intentional preparation to take on a leadership role. On this episode of Career Confessions, I explain why it's crucial to understand the audience who will advocate for your promotion, exploring how to connect with key decision-makers who may not realize you're ready for direct reports.

I challenge you to ask for feedback from the right people to understand how you impact others, describing how to identify your leadership blind spots and develop a plan to improve.

Listen in for insight on what questions to ask if you're already responsible for a team and learn how to make the leap to direct supervisor, elevating everyone who reports to you!

Key Takeaways

How to transition from individual contributor to direct supervisor

How to equip your boss to advocate for you when challenged

What to do if key decision-makers don't think you're ready for a leadership role

Why it's crucial to understand the audience you need to advocate for your promotion

How to leverage networking to minimize threats to your career growth

The value in learning the political dynamics of the next 2 levels of your organization

What it looks like to ask for feedback from the right people

Why diversity of thought is critical to building a high-performing team

How to identify your leadership blind spots and develop a plan to improve

What questions to ask if you're already responsible for a team

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Book a Call with Andrea

Apply for Private Coaching

Join Success Blueprint Vault

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Review the Podcast on Apple

Do you want to grow your career, but feel stuck? Do you find yourself walking the line between being challenged and being overwhelmed?

Over the years, I've learned that if I want to be successful in business, I need to work to understand myself and grow as a person. If I am not in tune with my thoughts, feelings, and intentions, I cannot show up as my best self to serve others.

I have hit my fair share of bumps in the road, but I have never thought about quitting. Expanding myself out of my comfort zone keeps me performing at the highest level, but it's never easy… and it shouldn't be.

On this episode of Career Confessions, I share my thoughts on the growing pains I've experienced throughout my career and the obstacles I've faced as I've elevated myself.

Listen in as I discuss the importance of thinking ahead, investing in yourself, and staying true to your dreams.

Key Takeaways

How I decided I needed to invest in myself to grow more businesses

Why I started working with a coach to better understand myself and serve as many people as possible

The importance of thinking ahead in all aspects of business

Why I am a better person when I'm expanding outside of my comfort zone

The difference between overwhelming yourself and challenging yourself

Why I have never thought about quitting, but instead, always strive to improve

Why we should all invest in ourselves long before we see the return on investment

The importance of staying true to your dreams even as your life evolves

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on Youtube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn Ebook

Apply for Private Coaching

Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Are you stuck and unsure of your next career move?

We all have those moments when our stomach is filled with anticipation because you are about to do something BIG! Or maybe you are walking around on cloud nine from landing a new client or closing a big deal for your company. Those are the moments we all want to keep replaying on our highlight reel.

Maybe it has been a while since you have had that feeling. It happens. Perhaps you are in a season where circumstances in your personal life are taking up all of your bandwidth. Or maybe you are just enjoying a little time in your comfort zone. It's great to revel in your success for a time, but if you want to grow in your career, it's best not to settle there for too long. But how do you find the time to plan out your 5-year plan with all the other things you have going on in life? Here's a pro tip: You don't have to plan that far ahead; you just need to plan your next step. That's doable, right? Today on Career Confessions, I'm sharing my 20-minute trick for analyzing what's going on inside, so you can manage it, shift out of cruise control and reignite your career trajectory. Plus, I share a telltale sign from my own life that signals to me that something internal is keeping me stuck.

Our jumbled thoughts can create a weight on our shoulders that can hold us back from all the good things in life. It doesn't have to be that way. You can reach the top and be happy with who you are when you get there. Listen in for my tips to help you make it happen.

Key Takeaways

The key to knowing if you've gotten too comfortable in your current position

Why internal shame leads to stagnated growth

How to manage what's going on internally to speed up external career growth

How to make room in your life for professional growth

The number one way to map out your next career move How time in the trenches serves to make you unstoppable in your careerThe secret echo effect of achieving your career goalsConnect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Apply for Private Coaching

Review the Podcast on Apple

Private Coaching Questionnaire

Join Success Blueprint Vault

Subscribe to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the Podcast on Spotify

How would your boss describe you? Do you 'assume' they know how hard you're working? Or 'hope' they understand the value you bring?

You cannot wait for your supervisor to advocate for you. You've got to manage up and advocate for yourself.

Hope is not a strategy. You need a plan.

On this episode of Career Confessions, I discuss the importance of developing a healthy relationship with your boss, describing how common it is for top performers to be blindsided by a lack of support from direct supervisors.

I explain why it's crucial to write your own brand narrative and pass it on to your boss, exploring how to get the recognition you deserve, especially in remote work.

Listen in to understand why women, in particular, need to strategize around the system to advance and find out why you should dedicate two hours a week to career strategy—so the other 38 don't go unnoticed.

Key Takeaways

Why it's critical to know where you stand with your boss

How common it is for top performers to be blindsided by a lack of support from direct supervisors

The value in writing your own narrative and passing it on to your boss

Why women need to advocate for themselves and strategize around the system to advance

How to position your brand internally to make an impact in your organization

How to develop a command of the political environment at your workplace

How to get the recognition you deserve for the sacrifices you're making (especially in remote work)

Why it's a mistake to think that working hard is enough

Connect with Andrea

Andrea Martin Consulting

Andrea on Instagram

Andrea on YouTube

Andrea on LinkedIn

Resources

Positioning Yourself to Achieve Massive Career Growth on Career Confessions EP063

How to Accelerate Your Career Trajectory on Career Confessions EP065

Book a Call with Andrea

Apply for Private Coaching

Join Success Blueprint Vault

Download Andrea's Free LinkedIn eBook

Review the Podcast on Apple