The Mid-Career GPS Podcast

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What happens when your childhood dream comes crashing down? Join my conversation with Mike Robbins, a former professional baseball player turned renowned keynote speaker and leadership expert. Mike's journey from the baseball field to the corporate stage is a testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. Discover how he navigated the challenges of an unexpected career change and why he believes that holding onto past dreams shouldn't dictate your future. Mike offers valuable insights into the often overlooked support systems for athletes transitioning out of professional sports, sharing what he wishes he could have told his younger self.

Team chemistry is not just for sports—it's the backbone of thriving workplace environments. We explore this universal element through real-life anecdotes, including navigating conflicts with colleagues. Mike shares his wisdom on fostering relationships, communication, and a shared vision to create cohesive and effective teams. As the dynamics of work shift with hybrid and remote arrangements, we discuss the crucial role of strong interpersonal connections in maintaining a vibrant company culture. Flexibility and adaptability emerge as key components in successfully navigating the modern workplace.

Leadership in the future demands more than traditional skills; it requires nimbleness, cultural awareness, and a focus on people. Through our discussion, we uncover the essence of executive presence and how confidence transcends generations in leadership roles. As we look toward 2025, Mike reflects on the qualities that will define successful leaders and emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself. He shares practical advice on setting realistic goals while continuing to dream big. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of leadership, team dynamics, and personal growth, and learn how to leverage these insights for a fulfilling career.

Connect with Mike Robbins
Website | LinkedIn 

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Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

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Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
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Should you ever ask a hiring manager if they have any objections to hiring you? This episode of the Mid-Career GPS Podcast tackles this job interview conundrum head-on. Learn to navigate the nuances of this controversial question and discover how it might impact your chances of landing the job. We explore the boldness and potential pitfalls of posing such a query, and whether it showcases confidence or betrays insecurity. Drawing from my own hiring experience, I share insights into how this question is likely perceived by those across the interview table.

Join me as I break down the strategic thinking behind this approach and whether it truly benefits your candidacy. Rather than fishing for feedback, I emphasize the importance of demonstrating assurance in your qualifications. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to better prepare for interviews and craft your unique mid-career GPS. Whether navigating your current career path or venturing into new opportunities, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make a lasting impression for all the right reasons.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

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Discover the transformative journey of Dr. Joy Zhao, a trailblazer in the world of data science who turned personal career setbacks into a narrative of resilience and purpose. Dr. Zhao candidly shares her evolution from facing unemployment to leading top-tier teams, revealing the pivotal stages of viewing work merely as a job to embracing it as a fulfilling career. Her story offers inspiration and practical insights for mid-career professionals eager to redefine their career paths with meaning and satisfaction.

Think of your day-to-day job as more than a routine; imagine it as a calling that fuels your passion and commitment. We delve into how inner work can revolutionize your professional satisfaction, bringing a newfound energy to your career. Listen as we unpack the small yet significant actions like speaking up and aligning your ambitions with your actions, steering you towards a career that resonates with your true purpose. Through personal stories and expert insights, we aim to empower you to articulate and pursue what excites you in the workplace.

For those navigating the complexities of leadership and career advancement, we explore how shifting perspectives can enhance your professional relationships. Learn how to embrace feedback and recognize the gaps hindering your progression. With guidance on building Your Mid-Career GPS, you'll gain tools to make a lasting impact and presence in your field.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Joy Zhao's Leadership/Career Summit.

Connect with Dr. Joy Zhao
Website | LinkedIn

Click here to learn more about Dr. Joy Zhao's LevelUp! Leadership Summit. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

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What happens if you are no longer here or unable to care for yourself? How protected are your loved ones? We all need to have this conversation, but many mid-career professionals avoid it because they don’t feel they need to or have to.

In this episode, you'll meet Andrea Bryk, who believes everyone, not just the wealthy, deserves peace of mind regarding estate planning. Andrea's goal is to make estate planning not horrible. Andrea shares why everyone must have an estate plan, how to talk to your gain parents about their healthcare and estate planning, the differences between a will and a trust, and why everyone needs to do a technology inventory starting right now. 

Connect with Andrea Bryk
LinkedIn | Website

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

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Unlock the secrets to mastering your job interviews and transforming anxiety into confidence. Imagine walking into your next interview not overwhelmed by nerves or fixated on the outcome, but fully present and prepared to showcase your unique value. This episode promises to equip you with essential mindset shifts to revolutionize your approach to interviews. Say goodbye to the common pitfalls that hinder your storytelling, and learn to engage with interviewers effectively by focusing on their needs and demonstrating how you can solve their problems.

You'll discover how to treat interviews like a strategic sales call, where you highlight the extraordinary results only you can deliver. Let's move beyond the generic traits and step into a space where your true strengths shine. Plus, you'll get a sneak peek into my new interview preparation course, a comprehensive guide designed to enhance your skills, boost your confidence, and navigate job offers with grace. Packed with practical insights and actionable strategies, this episode is your ticket to standing out as the top candidate and securing the job you've always wanted.

To learn more about my interview preparation course, visit https://www.johnneral.com/courses.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

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You are not “just” your title. You are far more than that. 

Many mid-career professionals sometimes downplay the importance or significance of the value they provide to their teams, leaders, and organizations.

Today, you will meet Monique Helstrom. She is a recruiter of talented assistants for busy executives. She is also a coach and speaker. You’ll be curious to hear about her former job, which she held for over ten years. She was known as the Chief of Simon Sinek. And you’ll listen to that story and how executives and their assistants can partner to work better and more cohesively, ultimately driving results like never before. 

Monique shares personal anecdotes from her thrilling tenure with Simon Sinek, where the fast-paced environment was a playground for learning and growth. Her insights into the executive-assistant partnership, supported by her two decades of experience in human development and organizational growth, reveal how this dynamic can drive outstanding results. Monique offers practical advice for executives and admins to flourish together, ensuring that their collaborative efforts lead to sustained success.

Connect with Monique Helstrom
Website | LinkedIn

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

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What’s your opinion on office politics? Perhaps you try to avoid them. Maybe you feel confident navigating them, or better yet, you say you can handle them when you have to but would prefer to avoid them altogether. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Niven Postma, an advisor to global executive teams, lecturer, keynote speaker, and author. She’s joining me today to help you reframe your thoughts, opinions, and actions about office politics, why you should pay more attention to office politics, and how you can use them to benefit your teams and your professional advancement. 

From her eye-opening experience of being fired from an executive role, Niven illustrates why political savvy is non-negotiable in today's workplace. Her book, "If You Don't Do Politics, Politics Will Do You," serves as a guide to navigating these often tricky waters with integrity and effectiveness.

This is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

Connect with Niven Postma
Website | LinkedIn | Email Niven - [email protected] 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

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Unlock the secrets to mastering communication in the post-pandemic workplace with our special guest, Karin Hurt, founder and CEO of Let's Grow Leaders. Karin opens up about a career-defining moment when a team member exposed her lack of vulnerability, leading her to pivot towards authentic leadership. We explore how remote work has fundamentally changed communication dynamics and discuss strategic approaches to bringing employees together, ensuring thoughtful and effective communication during these transitions.

Conflict at work can disrupt harmony, but it doesn't have to. Learn how to distinguish between minor annoyances and significant issues to reduce stress and foster a peaceful environment. We present practical advice and real-life examples on tackling workplace conflicts head-on, demonstrating the benefits of open communication and mutual understanding.

Transitioning relationships in the workplace, whether from colleagues to business partners or even romantic partners, brings its own set of challenges. Karin shares personal anecdotes and key strategies to maintain effective communication and manage conflicts in high-stakes environments. From choosing the right medium for emotionally charged messages to balancing confidence with humility, this episode provides valuable insights. Plus, discover how to build a mid-career GPS for professional growth, with resources and workshops available to guide you on your journey. Don't miss these tips for becoming the leader you've always wanted to be.

Connect with Karin Hurt
Website | LinkedIn 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

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Amazon CEO Andy Jassy released a statement last week notifying all Amazon employees that they will need to be in the office five days per week beginning in January 2025. How many companies will follow Amazon's lead and require their employees to be in the office five days per week? What does this mean for you?

You can read Andy Jassy's statement here.

In this episode, I'll unpack the benefits of increased in-office collaboration while addressing this policy's challenges to work-life balance and overall employee satisfaction. If you're accustomed to a hybrid work environment, this episode is crucial for you. You’ll also gain valuable strategies to navigate job interviews and career moves in light of such sweeping policy changes.

You must know how you work best and your best working situation. Yes, companies are still hiring fully remote employees, but Amazon's move will change things, and you should be prepared. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

Typically, there are two big seasons in anyone’s career development. The time from September to November when people are looking for a new job and want to make sure they reach their career goals before the year ends. The next time is from January to March when people are wrapped up in the excitement of the new year and want to start the year off with a great new job and a new beginning. 

But here is what’s holding you back. 

When interviewing for a new job or having internal conversations about a possible promotion, some of you are telling a horrible story about why you are the best person for the job!

In this episode, I’ll share my #1 pet peeve about how you tell your story and give you an immediate action tip to correct it and shift the energy in the room to get more hiring managers interested in who you are and what you do. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Want me to review your LinkedIn profile?
Learn more here.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.