Why your ai headshot is hurting your professional brand
Is this a rant or a sign of GOMS (Grumpy Old Man Syndrome)? Either way, I am over the AI-generated glamour-shots on LinkedIn.Will the Real *You*...
Leadership: developing others from an interoffice envelope
Developing Others: Leadership Lessons From an Interoffice Envelope, a Photocopier and LinkedIn I’ve always believed the best leaders don’t just...
Can you do me a favor? … Please check on your friends this holiday season.
Can you do me a favor? ... Please check on your friends this holiday season. Even the strong ones. Especially the strong ones. This time of year...
Your Professional, Digital Presence Is Your First Impression Now
Your Professional, Digital Presence Is Your First Impression Now Several times a week, I find myself having a familiar conversation. Someone...
My First Rodeo: Lessons from Writing My First Book
My First Rodeo: Lessons from Writing My First Book In Texas, we like to say, “Not my first rodeo.” It’s a badge of experience – a shorthand...
From Personal Branding to Professional Proof: What’s the Difference?
From Personal Branding to Professional Proof: What’s the Difference? For years, “personal branding” has been the rallying cry for professionals...
Would I recognize you if we met at Starbucks tomorrow? ☕ …
At #CMWorld, one of the vendors was taking professional headshots -- so I jumped in. And I’ve got to say… they made me look as good as they could! 😎...
The Top 5 Mistakes Professionals Make on LinkedIn (That Cost Them Opportunities)
The Top 5 Mistakes Professionals Make on LinkedIn (That Cost Them Opportunities) LinkedIn Is More Than a Digital Resume If you’re still treating...
Mentorship, Soft Skills & Digital Proof: A Modern Career Safety Net
Mentorship, Soft Skills & Digital Proof: A Modern Career Safety Net The setup Some of the most impactful lessons in my career didn’t come...
From Mentorship to Outplacement: Why Relationships Matter in a Layoff
From Mentorship to Outplacement: Why Relationships Matter in a Layoff The setup When layoffs happen, most people panic and polish their...
Mentorship Matters: Why Relationships Last Longer than Programs
The SetUp One morning this week, I sat at a mentorship breakfast at SMU’s Cox School of Business with the new dean, Todd Milbourn. Dean Milbourn...
Ghosted by the ceo of usaa, juan Andrade
Let me tell you about the time I was hashtag#ghosted by the CEO of USAA after he reached out to me.When Executive Comms Breaks TrustDad was a USAA...
Lead Bigger Fireside Chat with Anne Chow
I was back on the SMU campus the other night night for a fireside chat with Anne Chow, former CEO of AT&T Business and author of Lead...
Trust, Packaging and Deception
Trust, Packaging and DeceptionThere’s something about coffee at the ranch: It’s simple. Comforting. Reliable.For years, my go-to has been Community...
Safe to be seen
Safe to Be SeenHere’s the truth: for many of us (including me), visibility can feel unsafe.Not because of the camera, the writing or the platform --...
What I Learned from a Used Car Salesman
What I Learned from a Used Car Salesman The Bad Experience I haven’t bought a new car in almost 20 years. Used, yes. Plenty of times....
The $100K Opportunity You Never Responded To
The $100K Opportunity You Never Responded To Here I am, on my soapbox, preaching again. But this drives me CRAZY!!! A friend spots an...
What’s the Bare Minimum I Should Be Doing on LinkedIn?
What’s the Bare Minimum I Should Be Doing on LinkedIn? I get this question all the time. And it usually comes from the same people who swear they...
When the Phone Was Tied with a Wire, Humans Were Free
When the Phone Was Tied with a Wire, Humans Were Free In a world of instant messages, emojis and perfectly crafted captions, are we losing something...
Opportunities Should Find You
Opportunities Should Find You How to Create Inbound Leads Without the Hard Sell We’ve all been there -- chasing down the next opportunity like a...
Your LinkedIn Profile STINKS: Here’s Why — And Why It Doesn’t Have to
Your LinkedIn Profile STINKS: Here’s Why — And Why It Doesn’t Have to Let’s be honest. Most LinkedIn profiles are half-baked digital résumés covered...
When Caring Looks Like Criticism: The Fine Line Between Feedback and Fury
When Caring Looks Like Criticism: The Fine Line Between Feedback and Fury TL;DR: Sometimes, giving honest feedback hurts – not just the person...
Visibility Isn’t Enough — You Need to Be Seen
Visibility Isn’t Enough — You Need to Be Seen We’ve been sold the idea that visibility is everything. (You need a personal brand, for...
No, I haven’t Lost my marbles
No, I Haven’t Lost My Marbles. They’re Right Here in This Jar. You’ve heard the saying, right? “Have you lost your marbles?” It’s usually said...
When the Big One Gets Away (And You Don’t Miss a Thing)
Lessons from 40 Miles Out in the Bay When’s the last time you truly disconnected? I mean no laptop, no texts, no notifications, no scrolling… just...