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Professional Growth

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The food, the celebrations, the traditions: The season of Thanksgiving has arrived! 



Amid the hustle and bustle of prepping for guests, travel plans, and winding down professional obligations, it may seem like your time is at an all-time premium. Just the thought of adding to your already lengthy to-do list might stir up some overwhelming feelings.



But making room to start (or continue) to donate your time this month could not only align perfectly with the spirit of gratitude and giving back, but also gift you with the multiple professional and personal benefits of volunteering. 



Volunteering offers a unique path to finding a sense of joy and purpose, significantly boosts mental and physical health, and provides surprising opportunities to refine soft skills and accelerate professional development, making it a powerful way to bring fulfillment into your life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-transformative-benefits-of-volunteering-finding-purpose-through-giving">The Transformative Benefits of Volunteering: Finding Purpose Through Giving</h2>



As you reflect on all you have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season, consider how giving back can amplify that sense of fulfillment. The act of volunteering goes beyond simply helping others; it is a powerful practice that profoundly benefits you, the giver.



In her book <a href="https://amzn.to/3QZHhVT" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Every Gift Matters</a>,, Carrie Morgridge emphasizes a fundamental truth that resonates deeply with the spirit of the holidays: every person and every gift can make a difference. This principle is especially relevant during a time focused on generosity. Whoever you are, no matter how much or how little time, resources, or talent you have, your gift matters.



The smallest donation of time—whether serving a holiday meal at a soup kitchen or helping a local charity with their seasonal drive—can transform a life in need. The best news is that giving and volunteering create a dual transformation, benefiting two lives: the one who receives and the one who gives. This reciprocal benefit is key to how volunteering brings fulfillment and supports professional growth.



So, as you seek a meaningful way to spend your time this Thanksgiving, remember that whether you are volunteering your time or donating small or large amounts, here are several benefits that giving brings directly to you, the giver:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-wellness-through-giving-the-mental-and-physical-health-benefits-of-volunteering">1. Wellness Through Giving: The Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Volunteering</h3>



Ever heard people describe feeling warm and fuzzy when helping someone? Turns out that’s not just a turn of phrase. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699931.2022.2089871" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies have shown that</a> that warm, fuzzy feeling is real—and that giving your time to others could lead to positive impacts on your health.



So during a time of year when stress levels can run rampant over securing that perfect gift or cramming a month’s worth of work into three weeks, consider the salve of volunteering. The boost to your mental and physical strength will help you tackle—and enjoy—the month ahead.



The science behind the benefits of volunteering:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Giving and volunteering may help your body release more endorphins—chemicals that help relieve pain and reduce stress.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Data collected in the United Kingdom from 70,000 participants in a 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies showed that those who volunteered “at least once in the last 12 months” also reported higher levels of well-being, compared with those who didn’t volunteer.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7375895/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A 2020 Harvard University study</a> found that adults ages 50 and above who volunteered 100 or more hours per year felt more of a purpose, encountered less depressive symptoms and saw reduced chances of early death.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-cultivate-joy-and-purpose-the-emotional-rewards-of-giving-back">2. Cultivate Joy and Purpose: The Emotional Rewards of Giving Back</h3>



While volunteering at a United Way Toys for Tots drive, Morgridge got to meet the families in need, listen to their stories, hear about their kids and then send them home with a car full of toys and food. 



“I was not the major donor of the event, nor was I an event coordinator—I merely showed up for my scheduled shift and was immediately blown away by the impact that the event had on me,” she says. “I understood why the same volunteers had been showing up year after year to help over 3,000 families.… The only regret I had about sharing my day with these families was that I hadn’t found the organization earlier in my life.”



Find a cause that brings you joy, and then invite your friends. They are looking for the same thing you are—fulfillment in giving—and most people just need to be asked. If you are being asked to join a friend, make today a yes day. Your life might never be the same.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-accelerate-your-career-path-how-volunteering-refines-professional-goals">3. Accelerate Your Career Path: How Volunteering Refines Professional Goals</h3>



Think of volunteering as a way to test and refine your current skills—and maybe even develop new ones.&nbsp;



Perhaps you’re just beginning your marketing career and a local hospital board is in need of a strategic plan to introduce their signature event to a new demographic. Gaining similar leadership experience might take years at your 9–5, but thanks to volunteering, you could be readying yourself for more stretch opportunities much sooner.&nbsp;



Maybe a role in sales has always piqued your interest and your child’s school needs a fundraiser. Taking the lead offers a great, low-pressure way to determine whether securing corporate donors is something you’d be successful with or would want to eventually turn into a full-time position.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-build-core-competencies-volunteering-is-a-masterclass-in-soft-skills-development">4. Build Core Competencies: Volunteering is a Masterclass in Soft Skills Development</h3>



Not only will volunteering give you an improved perspective on life, but it will also help you develop more <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/soft-skills-examples/">soft skills</a> that can help your career.



In a <a href="https://businessnamegenerator.com/soft-skills-in-the-workplace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 survey</a> conducted by Business Name Generator, 84% of the 1,015 respondents indicated they believe new employees must possess soft skills and demonstrate them in the hiring process. The soft skills identified as most important? Nearly a quarter of respondents said communication, with 22% citing problem-solving, and time management and critical thinking tied at 19%.



What better way to develop these sought-after soft skills than by helping others through volunteering? You’ll develop these crucial skills while spreading goodwill and making people smile.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-personal-insight-for-professional-growth-discovering-your-strengths-through-service">5. Personal Insight for Professional Growth: Discovering Your Strengths Through Service</h3>



You can also glean information about your personality traits—are you more energized by the hours spent designing an invite or the interactions you had making meals for others?—and collaboration style—do you prefer working with a large board or a small group? 



More knowledge means you’ll be able to form a more accurate picture of how you’d like your future career path to look.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-deepen-your-roots-foster-a-stronger-connection-to-your-community">6. Deepen Your Roots: Foster a Stronger Connection to Your Community</h3>



When you take care of your own backyard, you’ll have a much greater sense of connection to your neighbors. Seek out food banks or soup kitchens in your community that provide services beyond the meals, ones that seek to fight poverty. 



Whether you have a little or a lot to give, helping your neighbors help themselves is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-strategic-networking-how-volunteering-builds-valuable-connections">7. Strategic Networking: How Volunteering Builds Valuable Connections</h3>



Building connections and fostering relationships is often vital to career success, whether you’re hoping to make a move, searching for a mentor or trying to secure investors or partnerships for your business venture. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/15-inspiring-quotes-about-giving/">Volunteering</a> can introduce you to professionals whose paths you might not otherwise cross. 



After seeing your dedication and skills in action, these individuals might be more likely to accept a coffee invite or pass along a resume.



It’s important to stay in touch with the connections you make when volunteering, even after you’re no longer involved. Ultimately, you want to build and maintain meaningful relationships.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-boost-your-confidence-gaining-pride-and-self-assurance-through-service">8. Boost Your Confidence: Gaining Pride and Self-Assurance Through Service</h3>



Providing a service to others and helping them feel good about themselves can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride. These feelings naturally carry over into personal and professional endeavors. 



Perhaps you were the point person for your community’s clothing drive, seeing to every detail from communication to collection to distribution. Your success in that area might inspire you to raise your hand for more project management opportunities or speak up with an organizational idea you might not have felt comfortable sharing before.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-giving-back-your-next-great-move">Make Giving Back Your Next Great Move</h2>



As the year draws to a close and you reflect on the spirit of Thanksgiving, the message is clear: volunteering is a powerful investment in yourself.



It is a uniquely reciprocal act—a gift that gives back. Whether you dedicate a single hour or commit to a monthly shift, you unlock transformative benefits that span your professional growth, personal well-being, and community connection.



These rewards include boosted wellness (through reduced stress and improved mental health), accelerated professional development (by refining crucial soft skills and gaining leadership experience), and deeper fulfillment (cultivating a stronger sense of joy, purpose, and community connection).



Volunteering is key to holistic growth, serving as a strategic move to build both a stronger professional profile and a more enriching personal life. This Thanksgiving season, realize the profound power in taking time to do good—for others, for your community, and for your future self.



This article was updated November 2023. Photo by PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com

Discover 8 surprising benefits of giving back, from developing high-demand soft skills and refining career goals to achieving deeper personal fulfillment.

The benefits of volunteering are much more vast than you may think. Here’s a look at 8 unexpected personal and professional volunteer benefits. | SUCCESS

How Does Volunteering Bring Fulfillment and Support Professional Growth?

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How Volunteering Creates Fulfillment & Professional Growth | SUCCESS

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Jill McDonnell

Carrie Morgridge

A woman dressed in a sari looks at hanging fabric.

Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

A coffee cup at the back of the cupboard, a pen gathering dust in a junk drawer, a tote bag languishing on a closet shelf. While meant to celebrate a milestone or anniversary, these <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/unique-corporate-gifts/">corporate gifts</a> are often lackluster items that are rarely given a second thought, if not dumped in the trash within days. This leaves the recipient feeling empty and the environment further taxed—and it’s a missed opportunity for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/networking-for-business/">businesses to further strengthen connections</a> too.



But what if you could give or receive a gift so meaningful that even years later, you thought of it with a smile? A gift that benefits the environment and supports the artisan who made it? That’s where Priya Ravindra Kalyanimath’s Australia-based startup <a href="https://punar.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Punar</a> comes in. The company is transforming the corporate giving industry by creating sustainable gifts and homewares handcrafted by female artisans in India.



In her previous corporate life, founder and CEO Kalyanimath advocated for more female involvement in technology projects and also served as an elected board director. Now, she leverages her passion, corporate governance experience and the power of media to bring Punar into the hearts and homes of individuals, brands and businesses looking to give thoughtfully and help drive systemic change.



“Not only are you investing in the makers by sourcing from an ethical and sustainable brand, but you are also giving that extended experience for your loved ones,” Kalyanimath says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-ideation-to-launch">From ideation to launch</h2>



Even as a child in India, the imbalance of women being paid less than men troubled Kalyanimath. But it was the often mindless consumption she observed during the pandemic that gave her the push she needed to create her company.



While her networks in India included entrepreneurs who were trying to eliminate textile waste, she saw a gap in companies who were bringing <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/sustainability-in-business/">sustainability</a> and equality together to weave a new narrative. Over the next two years, she built Punar to fill that gap.



“Developing fabrics, failing fast and creating long-lasting, high-quality fabrics took time because we didn’t want to create yet another product that was ending up in a landfill,” she says.



Punar has upskilled 12 women artisans since 2021, teaching them how to create zero-emission fabrics, paying them fair wages and giving them safe and supportive jobs in an industry that Kalyanimath says is notorious for mistreating workers. And by using recycled yarn to create the fabrics, as well as other recycled and upcycled materials, Punar gives textile waste new life.



Kalyanimath also wants to provide consumers with the option to give more sustainably. “If you’ve got 10 things to buy this quarter, can you put on an investigative hat and look up the label, really understand the story, the purpose, and then buy maybe one or two [sustainable] products?” she asks. “Can you invest in an ethical, independent brand, women founders [and] sustainable fashion?”



Since its founding, Punar has reported diverting over 450 pounds of clothing from ending up in a landfill and saving nearly 200,000 gallons of water. The company also creates an impact card that accompanies each purchased gift so consumers can see the face of the artisan who made their product and where their money is going.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-punar-s-dedication-to-mindful-fashion">Punar’s dedication to mindful fashion</h2>



While fast fashion may be considered reasonably priced, Kalyanimath says that issues with longevity can occur. “How long is it actually going to last? A couple of years?” she asks. “Whereas if you pick that higher price point but [it’s] ethical and sustainable, it is going to last five to 10 times longer.”



She doesn’t believe in guilting people about their lack of a sustainable lifestyle. Instead, she wants to show them the power they have as a conscious consumer.



“What can you do to choose right, to clean up this planet, to pay people the right amount of money?” Kalyanimath adds. “We all know when we cut corners or when we are cutting costs, somebody somewhere is paying the price. Either an environmental price or the consumers who are using toxic materials and fabrics, or the Earth is being impacted by this waste being dumped on [it].”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-media-acts-as-a-unifier-and-a-storyteller">Media acts as a unifier and a storyteller</h2>



Punar doesn’t advertise its products. Instead, it relies on the power of media to connect humans and communities all around the world. In addition to pitching her company, Kalyanimath also works with media as a thought leader to provide ongoing awareness and education around ethical fashion and sustainability.



After reading an article that featured Kalyanimath as a contributor, a man living in Australia’s countryside converted to a customer. It was his first time hearing of Punar. 



“That’s the power of media,” Kalyanimath says.



She adds that women don’t raise their hands for these opportunities as much as men do. “This is how women are raised: to be polite, to just quietly do the work and keep things ticking along rather than standing up and asking for that recognition,” she says. “Yes, it is changing, but at a slow pace!”



For Kalyanimath, media placements provide Punar with multiple benefits: additional credibility, an introduction to new customers and another avenue that will build trust and create conscious consumerism. “When you build that trust and heart-based connections, I can assure you revenue will come,” she says.



She also considers the media to be a powerful ally for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-makes-a-good-story/">storytelling</a>, one that offers a win-win for everyone involved. “I think we all have the responsibility of lifting the frequency… given all the things that are [going on],” she says.



This year, Punar will launch a new collection and exclusively use a portion of the profits for artisan well-being and self-care activities. Kalyanimath also wants to build on Punar’s current success to create sustainable hubs outside India, as well as safe jobs and financial freedom for 10,000 women around the globe. She will continue partnering with media to further spread good news stories that allow us to come together as collective humanity.



“This is where… media plays such a powerful tool in terms of communication,” she says. “It doesn’t matter what corner of the world you’re sitting in. It’s the power of media, technology and communication which unites us as humans.”&nbsp;



This article originally appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/magazine/">SUCCESS® magazine</a>. 



Photo by cottonbro studio/Pexels.com

Learn how Australia-based startup Punar is transforming the corporate giving industry by creating sustainable gifts and homewares.

Learn how Australia-based startup Punar is transforming the corporate giving industry by creating sustainable gifts and homewares. | SUCCESS

Transforming Corporate Giving With Sustainable Impact

Championing Sustainability in Corporate Giving | SUCCESS

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Jill McDonnell is a Chicago-based content writer and communications professional. She has a bachelor's degree in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master's degree in public relations and advertising from DePaul University. She is currently at work on a psychological thriller novel.

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You’re <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/john-c-maxwell-hire-the-right-people/">hiring</a> for a new role at your company, your long-time friend happens to be in the market, you know the wonderful work they’re capable of, and boom. Great success can follow when you harness the power of a caring and supportive <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/your-relationship-with-work-is-competing-with-your-personal-relationships-it-doesnt-have-to/">relationship</a> to achieve your professional goals. But with unclear workplace dynamics and a power differential now entering the group chat, it’s also possible your once-steady friendship could be disrupted… or even destroyed.







Here's how both your business and relationship can survive and thrive amid this major change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meg-and-nicole-from-best-friends-to-boss-and-employee">Meg and Nicole: From best friends to boss and employee</h2>



<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-clark-behrens-6b577416/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meg Behrens</a> and <a href="https://www.megbehrensdesign.com/team/nicole-haisma" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nicole Haisma</a> first met at <a href="https://lafayette.rsdmo.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lafayette High School’s</a> freshman class orientation in summer 1998, striking up a solid friendship that continues to this day. When Behrens, founder and principal designer of <a href="https://www.megbehrensdesign.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meg Behrens Design</a>, was looking to bring on an additional designer this past year, Haisma and her functional life experience instantly came to mind.



Haisma designed the space and created the vision and aesthetics for <a href="https://www.inbloompasorobles.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In Bloom</a>, a Paso Robles, CA restaurant she co-owns with her husband Chris. She also is a real estate broker who spent years staging homes and updating kitchens.



“I kept hiring junior designers who were great at drafting, but they needed a lot of direction,” Behrens says. “Running the business was already a full-time job, and I love the creative side too—but balancing both was overwhelming. I really needed someone with strong creative instincts and the ability to communicate well with clients.”



After collaborating on a test project, designing In Bloom’s tasting room <a href="https://www.nixcellars.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nix Cellars</a>, Behrens officially hired Haisma to work for her firm on a per-project basis.



“With no risk, there's no reward,” Haisma says. “We both kind of talked about how we could define the roles and delegate certain projects and we [thought], ‘Why would we not?’”&nbsp;



Leadership consultant and psychologist <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-miles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vincent Miles</a> believes a key benefit of hiring someone you have a pre-existing relationship with is that you truly know that person and their quirks.



“You kind of know what you're getting with that individual, where their strengths might lie and there’s less unknowns [than] if you’re hiring someone completely random.”



With previous new hires Behrens sometimes felt they were taking her comments personally, not as constructive criticism.



“It's just completely opposite with Nicole, where I can tell her what's up and the job gets done,” Behrens says. “We already have that comradery… [and] I'm not going to hurt her feelings over it…. sometimes I feel like you're stepping on people’s toes, but at the end of the day [it’s] your vision [and] you need it done correctly.”



Arizona-based Behrens and California-based Haisma often collaborate over FaceTime and phone calls, addressing at the outset if the conversation will address a project or their personal lives. That’s helpful, Haisma says, in order to show up in the right role.



&nbsp;“We kind of set those expectations,” Haisma says. “And so [we] can show up and just really be supportive depending on what we're trying to have a conversation about.”



While someone else in the organization might feel apprehensive to float a new idea or voice a concern, given their lower position or limited tenure, Miles says that with a preexisting friendship, the subordinate position might be more comfortable speaking up.



Haisma is often able to take that approach with Behrens.



“[Nicole] might even say something to me like, ‘Oh, I don't know, I kind of feel like we should go this way,’” Behrens says.



Given their relationship and the foundation of trust they already have, Behrens will then consider Haisma’s suggestions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-but-be-careful">But be careful…</h2>



Miles thinks that the hiring person could easily fall into the trap of seeing their friend as an idealized version of an employee, or even a perfect one.



“We have to remember that they're going to make errors and leave space for that so that we're not frustrated,” he says.&nbsp;



To maintain a peaceful environment, Miles says a boss should help set their friend up to be treated like any other employee.



“It's really important that that individual is seen by their peers as an equal without preferential treatment, without any kind of favor.”



Haisma and Behrens believe salary should be discussed in advance, as finances often can be an uncomfortable topic.



“You need to be very direct and you need to set the expectations for the involvement and the amount of work that you're doing and the compensation that you're going to receive,” Haisma says.



To make sure you come to an agreement, Miles suggests navigating from a boss’s perspective rather than that of a friend’s, or bringing Human Resources into the negotiations. And if you’re unable to involve a third-party, Miles agrees with Haisma that communicating clearly is critical and will help take pressure off the relationship.



“For example, I’m not giving you a salary range or something specific because of how I feel about you. I’m effectively saying, ‘This is what the business can support. This is what would be fair and comparable.’”



Even if things appear to be going well, Behrens still advises that you have an exit strategy.



“Just have that clear definition of, ‘Hey, if it doesn't work… it's not going to ruin our friendship,’” she says.&nbsp;



Still, that friendship will evolve. Miles says you might encounter a different version of your friend when they’re in boss mode.



“They might not be as soft or willing to hold your hand at times. And that relationship or that individual’s emotions might kind of ebb and flow based on how business is going.”



If like Behrens and Haisma you both are able to roll with the changes to your relationship hiring a friend will bring, you can also reap the many rewards.



“I can become a better designer because of the things I'm learning from Meg,” Haisma says. “And then some of the things that I've just been doing along the years, Meg is like, ‘That's a cool idea….’ So we're making each other better… owning our strengths, [and] pushing each other to keep expanding.”



Photo from fizkes/Shutterstock.com

Learn how to set and negotiate boundaries when you hire a friend as an employee. Discover why clear communication is critical to understanding your roles.

You’re hiring for a new role at your company, your long-time friend happens to be in the market, you know the wonderful work they’re capable of, and boom. | SUCCESS

How to Create and Manage Boundaries When You Hire a Friend as an Employee

How to Manage Boundaries when You Hire a Friend | SUCCESS

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Longevity &amp; Performance

Longevity &amp; Performance Archives

Longevity &amp; Performance | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Socialization. Friendly competition. Boosting your athletic prowess. It’s easy to see why golf and pickleball are popular pastimes, but the benefits of picking up a paddle or club extend far beyond enjoyable evenings and weekends. Here’s why it can pay career dividends to devote some on-the-clock hours to perfecting your shot or swing.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoiding-the-out-of-sight-out-of-mind-curse">Avoiding the out of sight, out of mind curse</h2>



<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicenewman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Janice Newman</a>, owner/principal of Newman HR LLC and a DePaul University adjunct professor, encourages remote employees to take advantage of every opportunity possible to get into work for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-ways-to-build-lasting-relationships/">relationship building</a>, greater visibility and career development. “Yes, we can get close with Zoom and Google Meet, but that’s not the same as having an in-person relationship,” Newman says. And it’s a relationship that can be deepened by participating in a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/golf-women-executive-networking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">golf</a> or <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/companies-are-ditching-golf-for-pickleball-to-get-deals-done/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pickleball</a> tournament.



“People say deals are made on the golf course, but in reality, relationships are made on the golf course that accelerate deals off the course,” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvy-moore-3147a3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marvy Moore</a> says. Moore serves on the board of directors for the <a href="https://womeningolffoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women in Golf Foundation</a>, an organization that develops women’s leadership and life skills as they learn to play golf competitively. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-l-a54b992b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jackie Lang</a>, who works in investment management, has seen this firsthand. Lang’s mother encouraged her to take up golf following college, and she now plays with both business partners and colleagues. “You really do get to build relationships and get to know people on a deeper level than you would otherwise in the office or other type of venues,” she says.



Lang also attends a yearly conference where her hours on the golf course afford her face time with C-suite leaders in and outside her organization. “It’s nice to be able to get invited to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/business-networking-activities/">these types of outings and different events</a> and be able to hold my own and not feel uncomfortable in that realm.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-confidence-can-be-a-barrier-to-entry">Lack of confidence can be a barrier to entry</h2>



Financial planner <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-burgess-1a5335a5/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeff Burgess</a> serves as sales team lead for the <a href="https://acsaboa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Associate Board of Ambassadors</a>, Chicago’s young professional American Cancer Society group. During the pandemic Burgess and fellow board members discussed hosting a golf tournament as a potential fundraiser. A female board member mentioned her boss had invited her to play golf with clients, yet she was hesitant to accept. “Here was this woman who I saw as successful and confident and thriving in her industry,” Burgess says. “And she was contemplating whether she should even go or not because she was going to be the only female. And that to me was a travesty because I’ve never felt that way as a man.” So when Burgess founded <a href="https://acsaboa.org/chip-away-at-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chip Away at Cancer</a> in 2021, he created a rule that every foursome must include a female player.&nbsp;



Moore’s organization, which also supports youth golf, has a program specifically designed for executive women. In addition to introducing golf fundamentals, the <a href="https://womeningolffoundation.org/executive-womens-program-golf-for-business/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">program</a> helps women conquer their anxiety by arming them with knowledge, such as where to drop off your bag, when to visit the pro shop, etc. “Women especially have to be comfortable and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/17-bold-ways-to-boost-your-confidence/">confident</a> in order to participate in something,” she says. “And there’s so many things that we don’t know about just starting it off. So the first step is getting the acclimation. The second step is getting the skill set to where you’re comfortable.”



Moore recently played in a tournament and shot 90. She says that’s 90 times she was able to build her confidence, telling herself with each swing that she could do it. “Those are skills that transfer because [my] body and muscle don’t know whether I’m on the golf course or I’m in a board meeting.”



So, if playing golf or pickleball now piques your interest as a component of your career development strategy, here are some tips to level up quickly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-the-lingo">Learn the lingo</h2>



“One of the things that I try to stress, especially in your career, is that being able to talk about golf is more important in many cases than actually playing with someone,” Moore says. She recommends you first do the work on your own, which might include going to the driving range and taking lessons. As you increase your knowledge, you will feel more adept at discussing the sport with your co-workers—what courses do they play, what kind of clubs do they hit with, etc.&nbsp;



Planning to discuss pickleball with your colleagues? Here’s a helpful <a href="https://www.muscleandfitness.com/features/active-lifestyle/get-started-playing-pickleball-with-these-training-and-game-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primer</a> for some common terms. If you’ve played tennis or racquetball a few might sound familiar… so check out this <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/what-is-kitchen-in-pickleball-let-s-understand-history-origin-and-rules-of-non-volley-zone/ar-AA1E4qKf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deeper dive</a> into a feature more particular to pickleball: the “kitchen”.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-join-a-local-organization">Join a local organization</h2>



Many organizations are trying to make golf more approachable for women. Last summer on a golf getaway to Wisconsin, Lang joined <a href="https://www.foretheladies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fore the Ladies,</a> a nonprofit with the mission of introducing more women to the game. “There are options out there to kind of dip your toes in the water and just go to the simulator with one of those groups,” Lang says. “You can have a drink or get something to eat, meet up with them and ease yourself into it.”



To more quickly acclimate to America’s <a href="https://usapickleball.org/about-us/organizational-docs/pickleball-annual-growth-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fastest-growing sport</a>, you could sign up for a private pickleball lesson or register for a league, which offers organized group matches. If you’re a solo player, the league can often pair you with an established team.&nbsp;



You could also consider attending an <a href="https://pickleland.com/what-is-open-play-in-pickleball/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open-play session,</a> a set time where people of all skill levels show up to a court. This allows you to learn from more experienced players and practice your skills in a less competitive environment. Check social media, area gyms, community centers and adult sports organizations and your park district to find available opportunities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elevate-the-rest-of-your-cardio-to-improve-your-pickleball-game">Elevate the rest of your cardio to improve your pickleball game</h2>



If your first few times on the pickleball court leave you feeling winded, building your endurance could boost your performance. The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/well/move/pickleball-workout.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recommends</a> 30-60 minutes of hiking, running and swimming and provides additional recommendations for picking up speed when you’re hustling to hit a shot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-think-brand-name-not-brand-new-clubs">Think brand name not brand-new clubs</h2>



Moore recommends buying a well-known brand of golf clubs, even if they are secondhand. In addition to potentially being less cost prohibitive, she thinks some senior executives might be judgmental of unknown brands or discount clubs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-check-out-a-charity-tournament">Check out a charity tournament</h2>



Moore considers a charity tournament one of the easiest entry points to a new-to-you sport. With golf, keep an eye out for a <a href="https://www.stcloudcountryclub.com/club-life-blog/55-golf-scrambles-rules-set-up-and-how-to-win#:~:text=A%20scramble%20is%20one%20of,same%20spot%20for%20each%20player." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scramble</a> option. “It is hard to argue that a scramble isn’t the best entryway [into golf] because I tell people, get one or two people in your group that know how to golf decently,” Burgess says. “And it doesn’t matter if the other two have never played or don’t even know how to swing a club because not every one of your shots counts.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consider-volunteering-at-the-tournament">Consider volunteering at the tournament</h2>



“People are going to see that, and they’re going to remember that [person] was here and she was showing she was very engaged and had a positive smile,” Newman says.



Given the advice and support available to them, Lang hopes that more people, particularly women, will feel empowered to take up a new sport. “I think we have to get back into more face-to-face meetups and real connecting, versus just being on your phone or your computer constantly.”



Photo by Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.

Want to build better business relationships and give your career a boost? Hear from experts on how taking up a new sport can help.

Want to build better business relationships and give your career a boost? Hear from experts on how taking up a new sport can help. | SUCCESS

Build Better Business Relationships and Drive Career Growth by Taking Up Golf or Pickleball

How to Use Sports to Drive Your Career Growth | SUCCESS

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Your fashionable neighbor’s new shoes. Your fit friend’s favorite yogurt. Your dad pitching you his alma mater. Influence has long been the match that lit the fuse to compel someone to make a purchase or develop certain beliefs. But thanks to social media, modern-day influencers now have a forum far beyond their immediate circle to exercise their persuasive reach. And given the continuing erosion of trust in traditional social institutions like government and the media, today’s influencers wield significant power when it comes to inspiring brand loyalty or setting a company’s reputation ablaze.



With such high stakes involved, developing influencer marketing strategies requires a careful approach to ensure the best brand fit and mutual success.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-brands-go-beyond-traditional-media-to-engage-with-influencers">Why should brands go beyond traditional media to engage with influencers?</h2>



“There is no doubt that if you are in consumer-packaged goods, if you own a restaurant or a retail establishment—pop-up, brick-and-mortar, online, it doesn’t really matter—an influencer is almost, at this point, a must have,” says <a href="https://www.hck2.com/leadership/heather-capps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heather Capps</a>, founder, president and CEO of HCK2 Marketing and Communications.



The reasons are both psychological and analytical. The halo effect is in play, which is when, according to the <a href="https://reboot-foundation.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-halo-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reboot Foundation</a>, “an initial positive first impression unduly influences your opinion of that person as a whole.” So if you think Hailey Bieber’s a smart dresser, you also might be willing to listen to her views on other subjects: skin care, marriage or even politics.



If an <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-powerful-personality-traits-of-influencers/">influencer</a> is interested in a trending topic, your brand could benefit from the association even more.



“When things are trending from an algorithm perspective,” Capps says, “it is getting pushed to the top of your inbox and to your feed. It is the coveted thing that every marketer is looking for—more eyes on [your] brand—so that you open up your funnel further and wider… and draw people into whatever your respective conversion is, whether that is following along with some kind of societal positioning or [buying] this mascara over that mascara. The fact that selling beauty products and just mundane consumerism… has now melded with true moral compasses as a human being is really interesting.”



There also exists a wealth of data that can help drive the decision to partner with an influencer.



“The usual measurements of engagement [e.g., likes, comments, follower growth] are definitely relevant,” Capps says. “Using a special discount code/mention for direct attribution is helpful as well.”



Another useful social media metric is a <a href="https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-management/customer/net-promoter-score/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Net Promoter Score (NPS)</a>, which shows the likelihood of your current customers to refer other customers.



“I think savvy consumers have begun to realize that ‘bots’ are oftentimes responsible for online reviews, so a third-party-administered NPS program measuring customer loyalty once again brings a measurement of authenticity based on multiple data points,” Capps says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-ensure-an-influencer-s-credibility-as-well-as-your-own">How to ensure an influencer’s credibility, as well as your own</h2>



Since anyone from the girl next door to the actor on screen can qualify as an influencer these days, how can you best assess someone’s bona fides to determine if they’re an authentic fit and not just spouting whatever you want them to say for the right price?



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Do your research</h3>



“That part can be really challenging,” Capps says, “to take the time to look through [an influencer’s] entire feed, do additional research on any other types of online presence that they might have… out of Instagram or out of TikTok.”



For example, an organic juice brand communications associate could comb through an influencer’s Facebook page from 10 years ago, then discover old posts detailing their love of Diet Coke.



“I think, sometimes, there’s just a cursory review of an influencer’s reach and a decision is made, and it can [then] really hurt your brand,” Capps says.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Align messaging</h3>



Messaging on a brand’s own channels, from its website to the CEO’s LinkedIn, should echo what the influencer posts to further legitimize the relationship.



“[Customers] are going to be doing additional research, I would hope, on the people behind the brand and the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-stay-true-to-your-personal-brand/">purpose behind the brand</a>,” Capps says. “So, from a messaging perspective as well as a visual perspective, every touchpoint in that customer journey… [should be] really consistent.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Connect online and in-person spheres</h3>



When Capps’ agency invites an influencer to an in-person event, they capture content of their clients with the influencer. This adds a layer of authenticity and allows for cross-promotion on the influencer’s channels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-technology-will-and-won-t-illuminate-the-path-forward">How technology will—and won’t—illuminate the path forward</h2>



The influencer industry continues to evolve how it uses technology to shape public opinion. Blogs gave way to reels and stories, and now platforms like Patreon, where subscribers pay a fee for creators’ exclusive content, and Substack, where creators can choose to gate content behind a paywall, are becoming more commonplace. These avenues present brands an opportunity to connect with an influencer’s most passionate (aka paying) followers.



“It’s such a beautiful symbiotic relationship,” Capps says, “because someone is providing something and [the subscriber] wants it, and they’re willing to compensate them for it.”



<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/from-the-editor-ai-innovation/">Artificial intelligence</a> will also impact the industry. Capps believes more influencers will seek out third-party accreditations, similar to a Good Housekeeping seal of approval, which would help allay fears that the beautiful person posting about a brand is actually real and not a bot.



In what she considers a full circle moment, Capps thinks influencer marketing strategies moving forward will include a higher volume of in-person and personal touchpoints to complement the often overwhelming amount of online tactics. Her agency is starting to have conversations with clients about offering more events and sending letters and thank-you notes to strengthen that personal connection.



“[Digital communications] have become too much…. It’s reached a kind of tipping point that it’s considered spam versus true, authentic marketing communications,” she says.



This article appears in the <a href="https://mysuccessplus.com/product/success-magazine-january-february-2025-wilmer-valderrama">January/February 2025 issue</a> of SUCCESS magazine. Photo courtesy of HCK2

Learn how to develop the best influencer marketing strategies according to marketing and business management expert Heather Capps.

Learn how to develop the best strategies according to Heather Capps.

The Ultimate Guide to Influencer Marketing Done Right | SUCCESS

Rules of Engagement: Influencer Marketing Done Right

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Jimmy Carter looking off into the distance thinking about his leadership style legacy

Leadership

Leadership Archives

Leadership | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Whether you’re fresh out of school or have long been making the corporate rounds, honing your leadership skills can help you charter a quicker path to success.



For those seeking inspiration, look to the example of the late former president Jimmy Carter. While he spent only one term in office (1977-1981), his legacy of thoughtful leadership and charitable endeavors post-presidency has helped position him as one of our most successful former presidents.



Here’s how Jimmy Carter's democratic leadership style made an impact from day one, and how you can take a page from his remarkable legacy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emulate-jimmy-carter-s-leadership-style-and-be-a-breath-of-fresh-air">Emulate Jimmy Carter’s leadership style and be a breath of fresh air</h2>



When Carter was elected the 39th <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/james-carter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">president</a> of the United States, the <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watergate scandal</a> was still fresh on everyone’s minds.



“In 1976, Jimmy Carter was the presidential candidate least like Nixon,” says Robert Strong, professor of politics at Washington and Lee University and a senior fellow at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. “He was honest and told the truth. The nation was looking for something different, and it was a lucky match of background and circumstance.”



While pundits still debate Carter’s political decisions, the manner in which he conducted himself was admirable.



“During his presidency Jimmy Carter was a hard worker, took risks, and he encountered the occasional controversy in order to be a peacemaker and a resolver of problems,” Strong points out.



Chad Eaves, a communication expert and host of the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/executive-communication-brief/id1693313909" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Executive Communication Brief podcast</a>, adds that Carter’s “intellect, charisma and core beliefs are beyond reproach.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-give-up-you-may-find-success-in-your-second-act">Don’t give up—you may find success in your second act</h2>



After his reelection defeat, Carter founded the <a href="https://www.cartercenter.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carter Center</a>, a nonprofit organization that advances human rights. He also works with Habitat for Humanity and was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for finding peaceful solutions to international conflict.



“He didn’t change once he was out of office. But he was without the constant glare of national politics and the necessity of rhetorical image management that comes with the presidency,” Strong says. “He got a second look from the American public.”



Carter’s rising popularity and success post-presidency is an important lesson for those concerned that their current role is the only indicator of their legacy.



“Carter faltered at times but was able to stay focused on the outcomes and impacts he cared about, to such an extent to leave a legacy of positive charitable impact that speaks to the ideal of leaving the world better than we found it,” says Christina Rowe, global leadership and organizational development expert at The Collaborative LLC.



“President Carter demonstrated how a second act can be more impactful than an earlier ‘big’ act when you act in a way that people know and they trust you as a person,” Eaves adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-act-as-a-moral-guide-for-your-organization">Act as a moral guide for your organization</h2>



Carter is often seen as a <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/spc/character/essays/carter.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moral leader</a>, a torch leaders or executives can also carry.



“The most important piece of the role of leader or executive is that they are in alignment with the mutually agreed values or morals of the organization they represent,” Rowe says.&nbsp;



“When executives fail to frame their organizations’ moral values, people in their organizations lack direction and confidence in how they should interact with one another, customers and other people,” Eaves notes, adding that the benefits of having a moral compass extend beyond the people in your organization. “People will know what to expect when working with you and your workforce.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-your-charitable-endeavors-to-your-business">Link your charitable endeavors to your business</h2>



“Carter’s social consciousness was an extension of his career, not separate from it,” Strong says.&nbsp;



It can often be a strategic decision for a business to support a cause they directly work on, or one that impacts their employees. It’s not only good for the community, but also the bottom line.



“The choice should reflect your values and philosophy,” Eaves says. “Be able to explain why you work with a charity. If you’re an avid mountain hiker but you support a dolphin rescue, that will likely create a disconnect with people.”



“Charity, goodwill and supporting others should always come from a place of authenticity,” Rowe says. “It may be in very public charitable cause settings, or it may be in less visible mentoring roles.”



When <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-give-back-purposefully/">deciding what type of charitable organization</a> to align your company with, consider your own personal shaping event—a pivotal event or time period that impacts you, your decisions and how you approach the world for the rest of your life.



“All of us have a shaping event that resonates for the rest of our lives,” Strong says. “For Carter it was civil rights. He had his father’s sense of hard work and his mother’s sense of justice.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jimmy-carter-s-leadership-secret-avoid-negative-press-nbsp">Jimmy Carter’s leadership secret: Avoid negative press&nbsp;</h2>



So as a leader, how do you garner a positive image, similar to that of when Carter left office?



“Pause,” Rowe says. “Assume you are always representing your role as leader in every conversation and action.”



Eaves offers five tips to consider:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Is the issue at hand relevant to achieving your and/or your organization’s desired outcome? If yes, continue the conversation while framing it in terms of that desired outcome.</li>



<li>Is the audience relevant to your desired outcome? If not, respectfully extract yourself from the conversation.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Be mindful of your composure. Be engaging and not dismissive. Take notes as a tactic to gain time to think.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Know when to stop talking. Say what is needed to advance your desired outcome.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Have an exit strategy. Do not go into a conversation with no defined end.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-lessons-from-jimmy-carter-s-democratic-leadership-style">Final lessons from Jimmy Carter’s democratic leadership style</h2>



To achieve your leadership aspirations, Rowe recommends taking time to define what you bring to the table, what helps you have an open mind and how you recharge yourself.



“In your relationships with team members, ask yourself, ‘What do they need to be successful in this situation? How do I give that to them or help them find what they need?’” he says.



Take inspiration from Jimmy Carter’s own words. In this 1988 <a href="https://hbr.org/1988/03/jimmy-carter-the-statesman-as-ceo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard Business Review article</a>, Carter spoke of the qualities that determine success in leadership: “The ability to work with other people, the capacity to expand one’s mind and one’s heart as years go by, and to see the broader dimensions of the future,” he said. “High moral and ethical standards are essential, and they don’t change from one job to another. Honesty, truthfulness, integrity, unselfishness—these are always there.”



Photo by Ken Hawkins / Alamy Stock Photo.

Today’s leaders can learn a lot from 39th president Jimmy Carter’s leadership style. Read more to learn about his thoughtful legacy.

Today’s leaders can learn a lot from 39th president Jimmy Carter’s leadership style. Read more to learn about his thoughtful legacy. | SUCCESS

What We Can Learn From Jimmy Carter’s Legacy of Thoughtful Leadership

What We Can Learn From Jimmy Carter’s Leadership Style | SUCCESS

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headshot of wally amos with gray backdrop

From the first batch ever baked with Grandma, chocolate chip cookies are a sugar fix we indulge in, both to celebrate and to console us. Since the invention of the chocolate chip cookie in the 1930s, the baked goodie has maintained its hold over our hearts and waistlines, making cookie icons like Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos cookies, true purveyors of joy. Amos, who recently passed away at age 88, leaves behind several life lessons that can inspire future entrepreneurs to concoct their own successful creations.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recipe-tip-1-start-with-a-transferable-skill-set">Recipe tip 1: Start with a transferable skill set</h2>



Early in his career, Amos worked at the William Morris Agency, eventually becoming the company’s first Black talent agent. While struggling to build his own personal talent management company, he sought solace in chocolate chip cookies—specifically, baking them, using a modified version of a family recipe. Amos used the cookies as calling cards, giving them away when meeting with potential clients.



“You couldn't believe the response I got,” he told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/16/archives/a-cooky-transforms-an-agent-into-a-star.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New York Times</a> in 1975. “Everybody, I found out, loves chocolate chip cookies.”



Clocking their growing popularity, Amos began to <a href="https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/wally-amos">envision</a> his baking hobby as a way to exit the talent industry business and open a freestanding cookie store. The first Famous Amos opened in Los Angeles in 1975. Within months, Amos expanded to two more locations. Even famed NYC department store Bloomingdale’s began selling the cookies.



While building a cookie empire may seem a far cry from his days of discovering acts like Simon &amp; Garfunkel, Amos’ prior experiences helped set the foundation for Famous Amos.&nbsp;



“What I'm doing really,” he told The New York Times, “is combining everything I've ever learned in life—my business college training, my show business background, my promotion experience—and applying it to selling these cookies.”



Amos exemplifies how to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/18-out-of-the-box-ideas-to-spark-creative-inspiration/">think outside the box</a> … err, cookie jar. First outline your skills and strengths. Then brainstorm how you might merge and apply those aptitudes beyond your current role.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recipe-tip-2-define-your-personal-brand">Recipe tip 2: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-9-tips-for-making-a-mark-that-lasts/">Define your personal brand</a></h2>



Amos was the consummate showman, promoting his cookies with his trademark enthusiasm and a signature style of dressing. He so successfully made a splash that his Panama hat and colorful, gauzy shirt are permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution.&nbsp;



Coupled with other marketing initiatives, like large-scale events with celebrities and appearances on TV shows including Taxi and The Office, Amos created experiences that further drove sales, elevated the cookies above the competition and turned the brand—and its founder—into household names.&nbsp;



What attributes do you personally bring that will help your company make its mark and establish credibility? Consider how you want people to perceive you, and survey the competition to better understand the need you can uniquely fill in the market.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recipe-tip-3-determine-what-might-make-your-cookie-crumble">Recipe tip 3: Determine what might make your cookie crumble</h2>



With Amos at the helm, Famous Amos enjoyed incredible success, with nearly $300,000 in revenue in its first year. By 1981, it became a $12 million company (comparable to $42 million today). But with declining sales, which he attributed to his own mismanagement, Amos began to sell off his equity stakes beginning in 1985. He eventually lost complete control.



“I’d lost the company really because I didn’t use to listen to people a lot because I was Famous Amos,” he <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/03/business/famous-cookie-face-match-wally-amos-got-his-hand-his-name-back-game.html">told The New York Times</a> in 1999.



Amos also shared with the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-08-27-fi-25412-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Times</a> that he thought his chief responsibility was heightening the company’s visibility. “The thing that got us in trouble is when I tried to actually run the business. That’s not what I want to do. I’m a promoter,” he said.



This illustrates the importance of self-awareness. Take inventory of what skills you need to further develop—like business acumen—or what <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/play-to-your-weaknesses/">personal constraints</a> might be holding you back. And surround yourself with a good team who can shore up your weaknesses and address your blind spots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recipe-tip-4-burn-a-batch-bake-another">Recipe tip 4: Burn a batch? Bake another</h2>



In the years following his separation from Famous Amos, Amos went on to launch additional cookie companies, even into his 80s. He also became a motivational speaker, wrote 10 books and served as the national spokesperson for Literacy Volunteers of America for more than 20 years.&nbsp;



“I am fortunate that, through all the tribulations, all the ups and downs that I’ve experienced, I still make a cookie that tastes good,” he <a href="https://www.honolulumagazine.com/the-cookie-comeback-king-wally-famous-amos/">told Honolulu magazine</a> in 2014.



Cultivating <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/resilience-in-the-workplace/">resiliency</a> enables you to keep going when you encounter adversity. But what’s the secret ingredient to success? According to Amos, love.



“I think it’s important to love what you do because that love is transferred to what you do, and it turns into something absolutely fantastic,” Amos <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/14/g-s1-17050/wally-amos-famous-amos-cookies-dead" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told NPR in 2008</a>.



Photo by ZUMA/Alamy

Discover 4 key business lessons from Famous Amos founder Wally Amos. Learn how to build a brand, cultivate resilience and achieve success.

Discover 4 key business lessons from Famous Amos founder Wally Amos. Learn how to build a brand, cultivate resilience and achieve success. | SUCCESS

4 Powerful Lessons We Can Learn from Famous Amos Founder Wally Amos

4 Powerful Lessons from Famous Amos Founder Wally Amos | SUCCESS

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A smiling woman carries a box of her desk supplies out of an office

Daydreams of <a href="https://youtu.be/QQ72w058QWM?si=m1JyDYk98cKe1Aod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dramatically quitting your job</a> may help you survive workplace boredom or contentious colleagues. But when it comes time to <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/things-to-do-before-leaving-a-job-after-resigning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tender your resignation</a>, you might favor an approach that ensures that you’ll still get <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-get-a-great-reference-recommendation/">positive references</a> and abundant future opportunities.



Even if you’re simply moving on to another position, here’s how to detail your decision to depart—whether you’re working in-person or <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/remote-work-gen-z-isolation/">remotely</a>—as well as some do’s and don’ts during this time of transition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-resignation-etiquette-matters-nbsp-nbsp">Why resignation etiquette matters&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



Quitting now doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never work with that boss or company again.



“We are seeing an uptick over the last year or so with <a href="https://hbr.org/2023/03/the-promise-and-risk-of-boomerang-employees" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boomerang employees</a>,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-hamilton-37ab1052" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meredith Hamilton</a>, talent acquisition director for Warner Music Group. “This is born out of the pandemic—a lot of people left for higher wages [and] more flexible workplace[s]... and either have been impacted by layoffs or the grass was not greener where they went.”



“Inevitably, great team members will be offered great opportunities,” says Peggy Lents, founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.lentsmazur.com/about/#team" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lents, Mazur &amp; Associates</a>. “That is both hard and a compliment, not only to the team member but also to the training and nurturing we intentionally do at our firm.”



Leigh Walters was one such team member. She began working for Lents in 2007, then left four years later for a more senior role at another company. But her exit didn’t mark the end of the relationship between the two women.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-send-your-letter-of-resignation-by-email-nbsp">Don’t send your letter of resignation by email&nbsp;</h2>



“How notice is given is very telling,” Lents says. “The professional and long-term approach to giving notice is through a one-on-one conversation. Should your significant other break up with you by text or phone or email? Hardly!”&nbsp;



Hamilton agrees. “You truly cannot replace an in-person conversation,” she says. “For the remote workforce, a lot of workers I am seeing will handle [this] with virtual, camera-on notices.”&nbsp;



Wanting to be considerate of her team, Walters gave a month’s notice when she quit rather than the standard two weeks. She also put together a comprehensive packet to kick-start her successor’s onboarding and set them up for success.



“I believe that the manner in which a person departs is more significant than how they arrive,” Lents says. “When I interview candidates, I am surprised when I am told they can start immediately, if they are currently employed, or that they only need to give two weeks’ notice when they have held an important position for some time at their current firm. I can only assume that is how they will one day treat us—so [it’s] a red flag.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transform-the-relationships-you-ve-made">Transform the relationships you’ve made</h2>



In 2019, content creator and lifestyle host <a href="https://luciefink.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucie Fink</a> wanted to strike out on her own after spending years as a Refinery29 video producer. She met with the head of the video department in person to discuss her departure.



“While I was fully prepared to start running my own business full-time, I was also open to coming up with a creative way that Refinery29 and I could continue working together,” Fink says. “They wound up proposing a year-long partnership that allowed us to stay in contract for the following year.”



In addition to the contracted videos she made, Fink supported Refinery29’s outside ventures, brand partnerships and media activations, even ones that didn’t personally involve her. “I also drove traffic to the company’s content by sharing it on my personal social platforms.”



Following Walters’ departure, she and Lents often met for coffee or lunch.



“I felt like [Lent’s] investment in my career growth didn’t end when I stopped working for her,” Walters says.



When Walters started her <a href="https://www.lwc-stl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">own firm</a> in 2021, Lents was one of the first people she informed. Lents’ firm website currently lists Walters as a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-create-strategic-partnerships/">strategic partner</a>. Their firms work together as projects arise, and Lents also often refers clients to Walters. The two women continue to meet for coffee.



Likewise, Fink’s relationship with Refinery29 is still going strong. “Today, Refinery29 still actively promotes and shares my video content across multiple platforms,” Fink says. Since her personal social media handles are often embedded, that content continues to bring Fink new audiences.



Fink also appreciates her former colleagues’ ongoing support of her independent career. “It shows that they cared for me as an individual, not just as an asset for the company they happened to be working for at the moment.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-s-and-don-ts-during-your-last-two-weeks">Do’s and don’ts during your last two weeks</h2>



“Some of the biggest mistakes people make are <a href="https://hbr.org/2021/07/yes-you-can-quit-your-job-without-burning-a-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">burning bridges</a> with their colleagues— you never know if and when you’re going to work with these people again,” Fink says. “[Other mistakes include] failing to clearly communicate departure plan[s] or transition details and criticizing the company to its existing employees—remember, they still work there!”



Lents adds that you should discuss when and how staff and clients are apprised of your departure, as well as build a comprehensive, written exit document.



“Hopefully, both sides will truly wish each other well, leading to endless coffees.”



Photo courtesy Trzykropy/Shutterstock.com

Learn what to do when you quit your job but want to leave a positive impression behind. Experts share tips on resigning with etiquette.

Learn what to do when you quit your job but want to leave a positive impression behind. Experts share tips on resigning with etiquette. | SUCCESS

You Turned in Your Notice. Here’s How to Leave a Good Impression Before You Leave

I Quit My Job—Now What? Resignation Tips | SUCCESS

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Personal Development

Personal Development Archives

Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasontartick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jason Tartick </a>was known for making moves in the banking world. The University of Rochester MBA generated buzz as he quickly ascended the corporate ladder. In the spring of 2018, he also captured the attention of the American public, this time for a different reason—his dating life.



Nine weeks as a contestant on <a href="https://abc.com/show/2294c465-f2ed-45e0-954f-d994c0efc1dc/about-the-show" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ABC’s The Bachelorette</a> launched Tartick into a new reality. At first, it seemed a far cry from the suit-and-tie life he’d been living, especially given his newfound access to endorsement deals. More money could be made in a week by showing up to a club opening or posting a photo on social media to hype up a toothpaste or atleisure brand than you could pull in a month from a day job.



“It was [like] the fire hose, full-speed coming at you, trying to drink out of it and just thinking, ‘I don't know what's hitting me in the face right now, but I like it and I need to figure it out,’” Tartick says.



After double-dipping for a year and a half, Tartick’s employer asked him to pick a lane. While content creation hadn’t been the stuff of his childhood dreams, he ultimately decided to leave the banking world behind and fully embrace this new-to-him field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carving-out-his-niche">Carving Out His Niche</h2>



Tartick used the skills that brought him corporate success—his energy, analytical nature and entrepreneurial spirit—to help him find his footing in his next career. After doing some research, Tartick realized that achieving longevity as a content creator would require <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/behind-the-follower-counts-what-you-really-need-to-know-to-become-an-influencer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building an online following</a>.



“If that community is properly managed, you can make life-changing and legacy-changing money with [it] while providing immense value,” Tartick says.



This value hinged on occupying a niche that would differentiate him from other reality show cast members and helped him command higher endorsement rates.



“They [followers] came for your personal life from the show,” Tartick says. “They're now starting to dabble in a niche that you've created. You have to figure out how to make sure you're blending both.”



For Tartick, the “both” meant merging what first drew the larger public to him—his relationship and time on The Bachelorette—with his financial background. He used social media to beta test this new hybrid model. In 2020, when the market crashed, Tartick polled his followers, asking them to define in three sentences the <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sp500.asp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">S&amp;P 500.</a>



“Over 250,000 people responded to it, and 91% of them said they couldn’t do it…. So, at that point, I was like, ‘I need to take the personal finance background and bring it in a very light, friendly, almost sexy way to this audience.’”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-he-had-his-what-now-here-s-the-how">He Had His “What”… Now, Here’s the “How”</h2>



Seven years after not receiving The Bachelorette’s Final Rose, 2024 will be Tartick’s highest-earning year yet as a content creator. He currently holds seven jobs, all offshoots of his brand:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Podcast host of Trading Secrets</li>



<li>Professional speaker</li>



<li>Content creator</li>



<li>Talent management company owner/CEO</li>



<li>Business monthly networking group owner</li>



<li>Real estate and investing company owner</li>



<li>And author</li>
</ul>



In April he published his second book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Money-Essential-Financial-Questions/dp/1400226902" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Talk Money to Me: The 8 Essential Financial Questions to Discuss With Your Partner. </a>While the book functions as a business card to establish credibility and open more doors, Tartick also wanted to explore an issue he believes doesn’t receive enough airtime.



“We weren’t taught how to manage and understand our money in our systems,” Tartick says. “And if we weren't taught how to understand them, we really need to explore: Do we know how to talk about them?”



Statistics show that financial arguments are<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/company/newsroom/releases/money-ruining-marriages-in-america" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the second leading reason behind divorce</a> after infidelity.



“People at ages 65 and older have a 3x higher divorce rate than they did in 1990,” Tartick says. A lack of understanding our money impacts all ages, from 18-year-olds getting their first credit card to retirees at 65 and older.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-passion-fuels-energy">Passion Fuels Energy</h2>



Content creation isn’t a nine-to-five gig. During his spring book tour, Tartick often worked 14- to 16-hour days. But he wasn’t counting the hours because he feels so passionate about this space.



“Truly, all I'm thinking is, ‘Am I healthy enough? Am I eating right? And can I sleep enough?’”



Another often-unpleasant byproduct of living a public life is getting hate. But Tartick believes that receiving negative feedback means he’s doing his job.



“Anybody I found who has achieved material success has some form of polarizing features in them that make people love or hate them, but they watch them,” he says.



And while he tries not to give the naysayers credence, he is working on listening more to someone else—himself.



“I think the older we get and the more life throws at us, we are told to suppress that little kid, that little curious side of you, and act a certain way. What I realized is the more I [listened] to that person and stopped caring about what other people thought and started really diving into curiosities—that is when I started to notice things were changing for all areas, my financial success, my happiness, etc.”



Tartick thinks multibillion-dollar businesses could be behind all those curiosities.



“And you could have a piece of that puzzle,” he says. “I do believe it's the curiosity and the natural instincts of gravitation toward those things that create the biggest leaders in those spaces.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-entire-life-could-change-too">Your Entire Life Could Change, Too</h2>



Tartick believes, if you’re tactful and entrepreneurial with the access a social media platform affords, you can unlock <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-4-step-formula-to-making-money-through-social-media/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a host of opportunities</a>—from investing in businesses and sitting on boards to collaborating with other creators. And these days, you don’t have to get dumped on national TV or compete on a challenge show for that platform to materialize.



“You can literally have an idea or an education piece or insight or something that's just purely fun and entertaining, and take your phone out and put it on,” he says. “And tomorrow you can go viral, and in 24 hours, your entire life can change.”



This article originally appeared in the Sept/Oct 2024 <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-september-october-2024-daymond-john.html">issue of SUCCESS magazine</a>. Photo by Samuel Kim

Learn how Entrepreneur Jason Tartick finds business potential in unexpected places and found his passion in content creation.

Learn how Entrepreneur Jason Tartick finds business potential in unexpected places and found his passion in content creation. | SUCCESS

Jason Tartick on Making The Most of Opportunities

Entrepreneur Jason Tartick on Making the Most of Unexpected Opportunities

Jason Tartick Shares How His Dating Life Shaped His Career | SUCCESS

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Money

Money Archives

Achieve financial success and freedom

The holy trifecta of Barbie, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift showed the world the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/12/27/1221483930/girl-economy-taylor-swift-beyonce-barbie-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">power of female spending</a> in 2023. But thanks to social media trends like “girl math,” the stereotype still persists that women are shopaholics whose approach to finances is cutesy at best and wildly ineffective at worst. This is why Vivian Tu, New York Times bestselling author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735755/rich-af-by-vivian-tu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life</a> and CEO and founder of <a href="https://www.yourrichbff.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your Rich BFF</a>, has her work cut out for her when it comes to debunking the false narrative that follows the female population and their financial capabilities.



Here's how Tu is shattering the glass ceiling and her tips on how to improve our bottom lines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vivian-tu-from-trader-to-bestseller-and-financial-influencer">Vivian Tu: From trader to bestseller… and financial influencer</h2>



As the only daughter of two “very frugal, but very loving Chinese parents,” Tu’s ascent to social media stardom followed a very pre-planned path—at first. After graduating from the University of Chicago, she began working as an equities trader at JP Morgan, trading energy, industrial and materials stocks before pivoting to risk arbitrage stocks.&nbsp;



A few years in, a new boss—who thought Tu was too “girly” for her role—saw her wearing a long cardigan at the office and bowed to her, calling the sweater a kimono.



“There are some work environments where you can climb the corporate ladder, while there are others where you’ll never get a fair shake,” Tu says.&nbsp;



She began to explore other opportunities and ultimately left JP Morgan for BuzzFeed and its digital media and strategy sales team. Once her new colleagues learned of her financial expertise, they wanted Tu’s help in rebalancing their 401(k) plans and making open enrollment elections. She began publishing the advice she was giving them online and had 100,000 TikTok followers by the end of her first week. Her first video netted 3 million views. Eventually, Tu left BuzzFeed to produce online financial content full-time.



“While I wouldn’t have wished that moment at JP Morgan on anyone, I’m ultimately grateful for it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have left, as it was my dream job,” she says. “But now I can really change lives for the better.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stepping-into-our-financial-power">Stepping into our financial power</h2>



Women are often left out of the financial conversation, Tu says, because finance can feel like an intimidating topic and experts in the field are primarily men. That’s on top of cultural touch points like the “girl math” TikTok <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/what-is-girl-math-tiktok-budgeting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trend</a>, which Tu believes infantilizes women’s ability, power and agency. “It’s not cute to be bad with money,” she says.&nbsp;



Turns out, most women aren’t.



“More single women than single men own homes, they have less debt than men across all categories, except for student loans—and <a href="https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/060_www_fidelity_com/documents/about-fidelity/FidelityInvestmentsWomen&amp;InvestingStudy2021.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Fidelity</a>, women clients’ portfolios outperform those of men,” Tu says.



So how can women drive a stake through those shop-'til-you-drop, simple-minded stereotypes and bolster their financial confidence?



“Talk about it more,” Tu recommends. “As a society, we’re more comfortable talking about sex and politics than we are about money. But you need to be talking to your friends about what they make, what they pay in rent, how they afford vacations. It provides you with so much information and allows you to better negotiate and make demands in the workplace.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vivian-tu-s-financial-do-s">Vivian Tu's financial do’s:</h2>



In the spirit of not gatekeeping good financial advice, Tu shares some additional do’s and don’ts:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-read-one-piece-of-financial-news-every-day-nbsp">1. Read one piece of financial news every day&nbsp;</h3>



Do this to make yourself more financially literate. “The more we read about money, the less intimidating it becomes,” Tu says.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-use-your-9-to-5-to-fund-your-5-to-9">2. Use your 9-to-5 to fund your 5-to-9</h3>



Turn your side hustle into a full-time venture. Tu set aside $100,000 in cash from her day job before she felt comfortable quitting to pursue her next step. “I had enough money to cover my expenses for a year in case anything happened,” she says.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-be-mindful-of-your-feast-and-famine-periods-when-creating-a-budget">3. Be mindful of your feast and famine periods when creating a budget</h3>



“A lot of businesses make a large amount of money in the fourth quarter and have a lull in the first quarter,” Tu says. “So a consistent <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-create-a-budget/">budget</a> might not make sense in that case, and you should plan to spend less and earn less in the first quarter.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-open-up-a-high-yield-savings-account">4. Open up a high-yield savings account</h3>



“Many people are still using the bank accounts they opened in college, which earn hardly anything (think 46 cents on every $100), whereas a high-yield savings account can provide up to 4.5–5.5% return, helping you to earn 10 times as much in interest,” she says.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-call-your-credit-card-company-every-six-to-12-months-to-ask-for-a-credit-limit-increase">5. Call your credit card company every six to 12 months to ask for a credit limit increase</h3>



Credit utilization is a percentage—how much of your credit you’re using divided by how much credit you have. When you increase the denominator (how much credit you have access to) while spending the same amount, you’re helping yourself achieve a better credit score.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-use-the-avalanche-method-to-pay-down-debt">6. Use the avalanche method to pay down debt</h3>



First, make the minimum payment across all your debt. Then, put all additional funds for debt paydown toward the debt that has the highest interest rate in order to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/anthony-oneal-can-help-you-get-out-of-debt/">pay down your debt</a> in the fastest possible time frame.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vivan-tu-s-financial-don-ts">Vivan Tu's financial don’ts:</h2>



Just as there are <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-tools-to-maximize-financial-security/">financial security</a> best practices, there are also financial pitfalls to avoid, according to Tu.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-don-t-cancel-your-oldest-credit-card">1. Don’t cancel your oldest credit card</h3>



Credit history length is a big factor in your credit score, which Tu learned when she cut up a credit card in her mid-20s in favor of a fancy new one. Her credit score then dropped by 60 points. “It cut my credit history from eight years to four and made me look like a less reliable borrower,” she says.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-don-t-get-complacent-at-your-workplace">2. Don’t get complacent at your workplace</h3>



“You should be getting a raise or promotion every two years. Right now, inflation is close to 5%. When you just rely on your 2 to 3% inflation raises, you’re making less money this year than last year,” Tu says. “And according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/shodewan/2023/10/17/why-not-job-hopping-is-hurting-your-career/?sh=33049f0d4c43" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forbes</a>, if you don’t get a new job every two years that comes with a meaningful pay bump, you could be making half as much over your lifetime.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-don-t-simply-accept-terms">3. Don’t simply accept terms</h3>



Negotiate everything! Tu reviews medical bills and compares pricey services to the <a href="https://www.healthcarebluebook.com/explore-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Healthcare Bluebook</a> to ensure that everything is error-free and corre. She also locks in introductory rates or deals for two years with her cellphone and Wi-Fi providers and streaming services. At the end of the promotion period, she threatens to leave unless they offer another promotion.



Photo by Heidi Gutman/Courtesy of Vivian Tu.

Financial Influencer Vivian Tu speaks on financially empowering women and erasing “girl math” from our collective vocabulary.

Financial influencer Vivian Tu speaks on financially empowering women and erasing “girl math” from our collective vocabulary. | SUCCESS

Vivian Tu Is Emboldening Women to Step Into Their Financial Power

Financial Influencer Vivian Tu on Empowering Women

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Milestone birthdays invite you to take stock of who you are, where you’ve been and how to best align your current actions to make your future vision a reality. While it makes sense that each new decade can bring a deepening of passions or a shift along a continuum, those in the business of social media must also contend with evolving beyond the interests that first brought them clicks.&nbsp;



Entrepreneur Serena Kerrigan finds herself at this very crossroads. As she leaves the single life and her 20s behind—two of the elements that helped her gain close to 1 million followers across social platforms—Kerrigan’s savvy branding and belief in herself are helping her step into what’s next to accomplish even greater success.



Whether you’re turning the page to a new decade or embarking on a new endeavor, Kerrigan’s example provides a roadmap on how to embrace the future and maximize new possibilities. On the cusp of turning 30, she reflects on her journey thus far, and details why she hopes her followers join her for her second act. Serena Kerrigan also outlines <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/use-these-7-tips-to-boost-your-confidence/">how to build and maintain confidence</a> throughout all your life choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-serena-kerrigan-is-monetizing-confidence">Serena Kerrigan is monetizing confidence</h2>



With both parents in the media industry, Kerrigan was bitten by the content-making bug early. After producing an award-winning short film in high school, she studied visual media and English at Duke University. Following graduation, she interned and then went on to work at Refinery29, where she created some 60 assets a month for Facebook Live, Snapchat and YouTube.&nbsp;



While she appreciated the opportunity, Kerrigan eventually realized the company wasn’t capitalizing on business and talent so much as relying on money from advertisers and investors.



“I wanted to monetize confidence, but I needed a product to help me do that,” Kerrigan says.&nbsp;







She left Refinery29 a month before the pandemic began to build her empire, and those first few weeks quarantining helped clarify what direction her career should take. She <a href="https://www.today.com/tmrw/weekly-instagram-live-dating-show-quarantine-s-new-must-watch-t181826" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched</a> an Instagram Live dating show, spun off corresponding <a href="https://letsfuckingdate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dating card games</a> that have garnered more than $1 million in sales and went on a nationwide live tour.



While her following may have initially ballooned thanks to her dating hot takes, Kerrigan explains that her brand is really about confidence, whether that’s with work, friendship or dating.



“My Roman Empire is helping women live fearlessly as themselves,” Kerrigan says. “I created an entire company and products that are about treating yourself as a prize, and that type of thinking extends to every aspect of your life.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-and-why-the-pivot">What’s next… and why the pivot?</h2>



As she turns 30 this month, Kerrigan has started to shift her interests using the resources and skills from the social media space she currently occupies.



Last fall, Kerrigan <a href="https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/serena-kerrigan-launch-sfktv-platform-1235737515/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched</a> SFKTV, where she streams her own exclusive, longform content. She sees the platform as helping to provide a launchpad that will eventually enable her to write her own movie.



“I want to leave a legacy that transcends social media,” she says. “Social media videos have a shelf life, and I didn’t grow up wanting to be an influencer. I want to be the next Sofia Coppola.”



While she’s been practicing the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/everyone-has-a-story-heres-how-to-make-yours-resonate/">art of storytelling</a> for years, for her next career phase, Kerrigan has a television writer as a mentor and her parents as a sounding board. Another inspiration? Beyoncé.



“She puts in the work,” Kerrigan says. “She shows that it’s not just about talent or money, but who sits down and does it. It’s not about following a format or having to attend this certain school. It’s what you’re in control of—are you going to hustle the hardest?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowering-women-to-control-their-own-timeline">Empowering women to control their own timeline</h2>



While many of her followers still grapple with dating and relationship woes, as they age out of their 20s, staying on top of their fertility is becoming more top of mind. Kerrigan, who is seriously dating someone, is also preparing for the future by freezing her eggs for the second time. Through Instagram stories and webinars with her fertility clinic, she hopes to help demystify the process.



“I want to empower women to have ownership of their timeline,” she says.



Personally and professionally, Kerrigan feels ready to delve into this next territory.



“I believe if you go and take a calculated risk and a chance on yourself, you will thrive. I’ve convinced a lot of women to do the same.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-serena-kerrigan-s-top-three-tips-for-how-to-build-your-own-empire">Serena Kerrigan’s top three tips for how to build your own empire</h2>



<ol>
<li>Dream big and follow your skill set. “Ask yourself what comes easy to you, and work from there. I didn’t like editing videos, so I decided to just go live on Instagram. Don’t create unnecessary hurdles for yourself.”</li>



<li>You write the plot of your life. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-create-a-vision-board/">Vision board</a>, and don’t be so self-critical. “If you were your fairy godmother—what would your life look like? Then create a life that looks like that. You are the writer, producer, director and star of your own life.”</li>



<li>Talk to yourself in a mirror. “We say things to ourselves and are critical in a way we wouldn’t be with others. Treat yourself like you’re your own best friend.”</li>
</ol>



Photo by Brendan Wixted.

Entrepreneur Serena Kerrigan’s passion is empowering other women in business. Learn her top 3 tips on building confidence.

Entrepreneur Serena Kerrigan’s passion is empowering other women in business. Learn her top 3 tips on building confidence. | SUCCESS

Entrepreneur Serena Kerrigan Reveals Three Ways You Can Build Confidence… And Your Empire

Entrepreneur Serena Kerrigan On 3 Ways to Build Confidence | SUCCESS

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Three business women sitting at a conference table confronting their boss

Culture &amp; Workplace

Culture &amp; Workplace Archives

Culture &amp; Workplace | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Conflict fuels drama. Think about it: Would we be as captivated by the story of Romeo and Juliet (or by The Real Housewives, for that matter) without the family feuds, fractured friendships and forbidden love? But unlike these often-entertaining escapes, knowing how to handle conflict with your boss can have serious implications for your <a href="https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/study-60-percent-of-employees-are-more-likely-to-s.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> and career path.&nbsp;



Here are a few tips to help you navigate differences in opinion while demonstrating your value and saving the drama for your favorite Bravo-lebrities.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-why-are-we-so-afraid-of-conflict">First, why are we so afraid of conflict?</h2>



Given that future opportunities and a positive working relationship could hinge on the outcome of a conversation, it makes sense that there’s a large undercurrent of fear when it comes to confronting your boss.



Entrepreneur Serena Kerrigan also believes this fear could be a trauma response from childhood.



“But the conversation never ends up being as scary as your idea of it,” Kerrigan says. “You think you’re keeping the peace by not doing anything—but it’s the opposite, I would argue. When you’re not honest, open and don’t communicate what you want, then you can become passive- aggressive, resentful and gossipy.”



Industrial-organizational psychologist Dr. Nicole Scott, founder of EvoExec, LLC, believes when, how and even if you bring up conflict is related to the level of psychological safety you feel.



“If leaders haven’t created a space where employees can push back, fail and use it as a learning experience, then a person’s motivation is to stay under the radar.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fear-of-conflict-can-also-be-gender-based-nbsp">Fear of conflict can also be gender based&nbsp;</h2>



“Men always lean in, they don’t have to have a million accolades to do so, whereas women are constantly feeling like they’re not ready,” Kerrigan says. And this could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.







Researchers have found that women tend to have an expectation of having less influence, which can translate into a resistance to insert themselves even in situations where their skills are valuable. Women also can be more likely to avoid confrontation in the workplace because conflict tends to affect them more negatively than men. In addition, studies have shown that people are predisposed to believe that <a href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230309-the-bias-that-drives-catty-workplace-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">women are more prone to workplace conflict</a> with one another, which can lead to lower commitment and poorer working relationships. &nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-frame-the-conversation">How to frame the conversation</h2>



Setting expectations and asking questions at the outset can go a long way toward mitigating <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-tips-to-end-workplace-conflict-once-and-for-all/">workplace conflict</a>.



“When you start working with a new boss, tell them you really want to kill it and ask, ‘What do you expect from me? What could I do to eventually get a promotion? How can I be a team player? How can I impress you?’” Kerrigan says.



Scott encourages employees to learn their boss’s rules of engagement.



“Ask them what their preferred method is for you to raise questions or flag issues. Email? A separate conversation? Bring it up in your regular one-on-one’s?”



She also recommends choosing your battles wisely and encourages people to explore their workplace values.



“Am I motivated by money, rewards and recognition or job security? Understanding what you need can help you address issues and even determine whether you should stay or go. But if you’re constantly the naysayer, eventually your concerns become background noise and nothing will get heard.”



So, Scott says to consider the following aspects of your specific situation:



<ul>
<li>What’s the best thing that could happen and the worst thing that could happen if I don’t address this?</li>



<li>Look through the lens of how it will impact yourself, your boss and your team.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Think about whether this is about you winning or about the team performing at its best.</li>



<li>If it’s low-level, self-serving or will put your career in jeopardy, then go with the flow.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-handle-conflict-with-your-boss">How to handle conflict with your boss</h2>



If you decide to have a conversation, knowing how to deal with conflict at work is essential. Scott says you don’t want to attack your manager’s position. Instead, you should authentically generate new insights into the why and into what they are doing and saying. “Then share your perspective so you can come to a mutual understanding.”



If you’re at fault, Kerrigan recommends taking the loss and apologizing. “The more you harp on something or defend it, the bigger it becomes. Take responsibility and move onward.”



And give your manager the benefit of the doubt and enough time to adjust.&nbsp;



“I want the best for whoever works for me,” Kerrigan says. “What I need is communication and transparency and enough time to pivot.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-common-types-of-conflict-at-work">Common types of conflict at work</h2>



While there are a wide array of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-resolve-conflicts-at-work/">conflict situations that can arise at work</a>, Kerrigan highlights three key scenarios&nbsp; that commonly arise for employees.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-a-crisis-in-your-personal-life-that-s-affecting-your-performance">1. A crisis in your personal life that’s affecting your performance</h3>



<a href="https://hbr.org/2017/11/what-to-do-when-a-personal-crisis-is-hurting-your-professional-life" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upset in your personal life</a> has the potential to wreak havoc on your career. Kerrigan knows this firsthand. After college, she started interning at Refinery29 amid a personal crisis. “My first love had just broken up with me, and I was a zombie at work,” she says.



Kerrigan was so in her own feelings that she began making errors like mistakenly charging personal Uber rides to a corporate card and being late to a shoot.



“It was an amazing place to work, and I wanted to get hired, but my boss told me it felt like I didn’t want to be there.”



So Kerrigan owned up to the personal situation and decided to use the experience as a turning point.



“I didn’t want to make the same mistake again. There are constant lessons and learning taking place, so the real mistake, what would be on me, would be repeating my mistakes.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-not-seeing-eye-to-eye-over-performance-reviews">2. Not seeing eye-to-eye over performance reviews</h3>



When it comes to direct feedback on your work, Scott says to get curious about what’s behind the boss’s perspective. “Is it based on recency or based on performance where they have multiple instances that support that score?”



Come in ready to supplement the information your boss has and fill in their blindspots.



“Also, ask for specific actions and examples of how you can improve your performance or what you should stop doing that’s negatively impacting it,” Scott adds.



A woman who worked for Kerrigan compiled a PowerPoint presentation on everything she had done over the past year to demonstrate that she was ready for a promotion.



“You want the money, prove it,” Kerrigan says. “You have to advocate for yourself.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-a-boss-who-presents-your-ideas-as-their-own">3. A boss who presents your ideas as their own</h3>



If the boss is taking credit for your work, Scott says you need to have a hard conversation with yourself. “Do you need to stay in that environment or is it time to launch your job search?”



“Ask if you can present next time as a development opportunity or offer to field any follow-up questions,” Scott says.



And if it comes time to walk out the door?&nbsp;



“There is never going to be a good time to quit,” Kerrigan says. “If you have the ambition and drive to make what’s next happen, you will.”



Photo by AYA images/Shutterstock.com

Knowing how to handle conflict with your boss is a valuable skill. Read on for tips to deal with this difficult situation.

Knowing how to handle conflict with your boss is a valuable skill. Read on for tips to deal with this difficult situation. | SUCCESS

How to Deftly Handle Conflict With Your Boss

How to Deftly Handle Conflict With Your Boss | SUCCESS

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Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce on cover of US Magazine which is trendjacking their relationship buzz

Their <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/10/taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-hold-hands-worlds-attention" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interlaced fingers</a>. Those <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a45612370/taylor-swift-smitten-watching-travis-kelce/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longing glances</a>. The constant online chatter of millions debating game-day fashion and true timelines and potential date-night hotspots. New love has often fueled creative endeavors, but this time its passion and promise have captivated a nation short on hope and in dire need of distraction.



Welcome to “The Taylor and Travis Show”—also known as the power coupling of popstar supernova Taylor Swift and Super Bowl-winning tight end Travis Kelce—and the groundswell of support any given Sunday, the occasional Thursday and Monday nights and via the 24/7 TikToks.



Following the anguish of the 2022 football season’s ancillary headline involving a bereft Tom Brady grappling with the breakup of his family, Swift and Kelce’s love story has been welcome, frothy fun and a further <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/news/travis-kelce-plays-better-taylor-swift-watching-see-stats-rcna121817" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boon to Kelce’s on-field performance</a>.



With everyone clinging to this phenomenon (even my 8-year-old nephew is in the know), brands like the NFL are wasting no time jumping into this conversation—also known as “trendjacking”—to increase their own relevance.&nbsp;



Here’s how to monitor for and help your brand bank on future buzzworthy events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-travis-kelce-and-taylor-swift-it-s-a-love-story-but-not-just-a-love-story">Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift: It’s a love story… but not just a love story</h2>



Monica Dimperio, brand builder and founder of Hashtag Lifestyle, believes the magnetic pull of the couple is simply irresistible for pop culture aficionados, with the world eagerly awaiting every chapter of this modern-day fairy tale.



“Will Taylor make it to the next game? Is Travis 'the one’? What celeb friends will be in the box with her?” Dimperio poses, suggesting the same probing questions fans are likely asking.



Katy Hornaday, chief creative officer of Barkley, likens it to watching a live rom-com. “Also, Taylor has been on the stadium tour to end all stadium tours. So I think the public is really drawn to seeing her in this very human relationship right now,” she explains.



“Taylor and Travis allow the public to experience collective joy and to take a break from troubles big and small,” says Brian Donovan, Ph.D., a sociology professor at the University of Kansas who teaches a course titled “The Sociology of Taylor Swift.” “There’s something stereotypically all-American about the couple that generates feelings of nostalgia for an allegedly simpler time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electric-touch-timing-is-everything">Electric touch: Timing is everything</h2>



With the public swooning, the massive exposure possibilities have <a href="https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-relationship-numbers-1235881765/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inspired brands</a> to hitch their wagons to this star romance and trendjack all the buzz.



According to <a href="https://deadline.com/2023/10/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-marketing-gen-z-1235578423/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deadline</a>, Marissa Solis, SVP of global brand and consumer marketing for the NFL, said once the relationship became public, the league could only do its best to react and make the most of it.



“You can’t be ahead of [the moment], but you can be&nbsp;just right there&nbsp;so you can be sure to take advantage and fully grow your audience,” she noted.



In addition to changing its social media bios to reflect Swift photos and lyrics, the NFL also met the moment through issuing content covering the football basics&nbsp; to familiarize the singer’s fans with the rules of the game.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-trendjacking-works">When trendjacking works</h2>



Heinz released a limited-edition version of its sauce labeled “Ketchup and Seemingly Ranch” after Swift was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/business/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-seemingly-ranch.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photographed</a> at a Kansas City Chiefs game next to a plate of chicken and two sauces, one of which an X account described as “seemingly ranch.”



This shocked Donovan, who believes “seemingly ranch” wouldn’t have gone beyond the Swift fan bubble a decade ago.



“But it’s lighthearted and low stakes, so it doesn’t really seem like pandering,” he says, noting that he was less surprised to see dozens of seemingly ranch shirts on Etsy. “There’s a huge secondary and tertiary Taylor-related marketplace that is generating untold millions of consumer spending.”



Hornaday thinks Heinz capitalizing on the moment was smart.



“At Barkley, we talk about the idea of a brand's editorial authority—the topics a brand has the right and reason to comment on,” she explains. “We establish these way upfront, so when moments in culture arise, we know if it's our place to jump in or sit on the sidelines.”



“More and more we see that&nbsp;one&nbsp;amazing real-time moment is more effective organically than any planned piece of content,” says Christine Cotter, Ogilvy’s head of social for North America. “Taylor Swift is a conversation driver like we’ve never seen. But, for brands, it has to be right and you have to be fast.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-travis-kelce-and-taylor-swift-the-next-great-american-dynasty">Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift: The next great American dynasty?</h2>



Dimperio says forging a partnership within two concentric cultural spheres like music and sports is a savvy move that harnesses the power of social media and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/once-upon-a-time-in-marketing/">authentic storytelling</a>.



“Social media is the conduit that instantaneously connects brands with their audience and amplifies the impact of these collaborations,” she explains. “Authentic storytelling then weaves the narratives that resonate with the values and interests of today’s consumers.”



“What’s interesting to me is how Taylor and Travis as brands have largely avoided being caught up in the culture war dynamics that have befallen other brands, like Target and Bud Light,” Donovan adds. “They obviously have deeply held political opinions, but they are being represented as an all-American love story instead of spokespersons for this or that political or social issue.” &nbsp;



If the NFL can attract a segment of Taylor’s gigantic fan base, Dimperio thinks it could open doors for them to a broader audience.



“After all, in pop culture and marketing, experimenting with new ways to connect is part of the game,” he says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-knew-you-were-trouble-when-trendjacking-goes-wrong">I knew you were trouble: When trendjacking goes wrong</h2>



Cotter pushes her brands to first determine their relevance to a cultural conversation.&nbsp;



“Why should&nbsp;your&nbsp;brand chime in? How is your&nbsp;<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-craft-compelling-messages-online-and-win-new-customers/">message</a> or link different?” she poses. “The easiest answer to that is when a product is directly mentioned or featured.”



Where it goes wrong, according to Hornaday, is when brands are just looking for relevance by jumping on every trend.



“Consumers know where your brand is welcome and where it's not,” Hornaday says. “And with social media, they won't be shy when telling you [that] you weren't invited to the party.”



“When brands force it, it becomes what we like to call ‘brand Twitter’—social media people speaking to each other and chiming in like a brand and not a human, which is worse than not commenting at all,” Cotter adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blank-space-no-more-how-to-trendjack-with-grace">Blank space no more: How to trendjack with grace</h2>



Dimperio details three ways brands can monitor for other cultural moments thrumming beneath the surface and use trendjacking to your advantage: 



<ol>
<li>TikTok trend surfing: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/tiktok-is-here-to-stay-is-your-brand-ready/">TikTok is a hotbed for viral trends</a> and challenges. Keep an eye on the most popular ones to gain rapid visibility and engagement, and find creative ways to participate authentically.</li>



<li>Competitor analysis: Keeping tabs on competitors can reveal insights into their responses to cultural moments. Analyze their strategies to see what’s working and what’s not.</li>



<li>Tastemakers and influencer engagement: Collaborate with <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-tricky-ethics-of-influencer-marketing/">influencers</a> at the forefront of emerging cultural trends. You don’t need a Kim Kardashian-level of popularity. It’s about finding people that match your passion points and niche. </li>
</ol>



So will the girl from Pennsylvania and the boy from Ohio go the distance? At the time of this writing, things seem hopeful… but like all new love, still uncertain. This, however, should only cause Kelce and Swift’s collective star to keep rising. “In life and marketing, it’s anticipation that keeps people coming back for more,” Dimperio says.



Photo by Patti McConville / Alamy Stock Photo.

The Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift relationship buzz is all over the news, but can your brand benefit from this cultural moment by trendjacking?

The Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift relationship buzz is all over the news, but can your brand benefit from this cultural moment by trendjacking? | SUCCESS

Your Brand Can Benefit from Trendjacking a Cultural Phenomenon—Just Look at the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Relationship Buzz

The Pros and Cons of “Trendjacking” Buzzy Pop Culture Moments | SUCCESS

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Photograph of a woman with long straight brown hair in a white t-shirt looking intently at a computer screen taking an online professional certificate program

The <a href="https://askacareerexpert.com/how-to-beat-your-work-competition-and-get-promoted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">competition</a> for a promotion or an entirely new job is fierce. To level up and stand out from the applicant pack, you might consider obtaining an additional certification. But if taking time away from work is not feasible, or you’ve already attended graduate school, then looking online for training opportunities could be your best bet. Online professional certificate programs can offer enrollees a shorter and more focused course of study with a much lower price tag.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-employers-view-online-professional-certificate-programs">How employers view online professional certificate programs</h2>



This <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/are-certificates-worth-it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indeed.com article</a> outlines four benefits for those who obtain professional certificates:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>Higher pay</li>



<li>Advancement opportunities</li>



<li>Competitive edge&nbsp;</li>



<li>Tuition reimbursement (your employer may reimburse you for the cost of the certificate)</li>
</ul>



But do employers really find them valuable?



Jamie Saxe is the founder and CEO of <a href="http://www.mendconnects.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Mend Consulting</a>. She believes online certificates can be integral to businesses today, since the digital world continues to transform the way businesses operate.



“With a continued evolution of rapidly changing software program development, applications and the demand for evolving skill sets within the workplace, online certifications can assist employee education needed to operate within today’s fast-changing business community,” Saxe explains.



She also believes they provide a win-win proposition for employers and their employees. “They can give employees and contractors the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, remotely or on-the-fly, while also shaping the future of a dynamic workplace,” she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-instead-of-a-degree-but-a-supplement">Not instead of a degree… but a supplement&nbsp;</h2>



A certificate program can be a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/degree-certificate-bootcamp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">great option for those looking to change careers or deepen their professional knowledge.</a> The certificate alone may not be enough to qualify for employment, depending on your career choice, but it can supplement your skills.



“Our company values any type of education and certification a potential or current employee has or maintains,” Saxe says. “With the demand for digital aptitude within the workplace and generally among businesses today, the education from <a href="https://www.coursera.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coursera</a> or Google certificate can only add value to our business.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-online-certificates-make-interview-candidates-more-appealing">Do online certificates make interview candidates more appealing?</h2>



It can. <a href="https://blog.coursera.org/from-higher-education-to-employment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coursera surveyed</a> 5,000 students and employers about the motivations, needs and challenges they face, and released the results in February.



Students believe what they referred to as “industry micro-credentials make them more employable,” with 90% agreeing or strongly agreeing “that earning an entry-level professional certificate will help them stand out to employers and secure jobs when they graduate.”



Their potential employers backed up these findings. Eighty-six percent of U.S. employers agreed that earning an industry microcredential strengthens a candidate’s job application, and 74% say that it would positively influence a hiring decision. Thirty-nine percent said they had hired at least one candidate with a microcredential.



And an even more telling statistic?



“In choosing between two degreed candidates, 63% say the presence of an industry microcredential would positively influence a hiring decision,” the survey reported.



Saxe says, depending on the type of role her company is interviewing for, all education and certifications presented are considered as part of the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-things-to-do-before-your-next-job-interview/">interview process</a>.



“Additional certifications are considered in the candidate selection process, yet still generally should be applicable to the role description the candidate is applying for,” she adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-online-certifications-for-jobs-next-steps">Online certifications for jobs: next steps</h2>



So what’s next, if obtaining an online certificate piques your interest? The first step should be self-reflection. What are your <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/rohn-4-tips-for-setting-powerful-goals/">goals</a> when it comes to an online certificate? Are you trying to get promoted, get a new job or enter a new field? You’ll need to understand what you want to get out of this commitment, and then you’ll be able to better find the right certificate for you.



Next you’ll want to conduct some research. This <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/learning/google-coursera-online-certificate-programs-classes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">article</a> breaks down the value of Google professional certificates through Coursera. One of their unique features? The Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium. It’s an exclusive network of 130-plus participating companies (think Google, Target and Deloitte) where you can apply to open positions upon completion of one of the Google certificates.



You’ll also want to look into what types of online certificates are even available in your job field. If you’re angling for a promotion at your current company, then consider talking to your manager and/or human resources department about the value your company places on additional education opportunities. You could then explore the possibility of tuition reimbursement.



Finally, remember that just because obtaining an online certificate will be less time-intensive than attending graduate school doesn’t mean that you won’t have to put in the work. You may be required to attend classes, complete assignments or engage in discussions. Make sure you have the bandwidth to handle these additional responsibilities.



Photo by ESB Professional/Shutterstock.com

Whether you’re looking for a new job or a promotion, professional certificate programs can help you stand out. Here's what you need to know.

Whether you’re looking for a new job or a promotion, professional certificate programs can help you stand out. Here's what you need to know. | SUCCESS

Are Additional Certifications Useful in the Workplace?

Are Online Professional Certificate Programs Useful? | SUCCESS

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Bright, cheery home office designed for better productivity

Lifestyle

Lifestyle Archives

Elevate your lifestyle for success and happiness

Part command center, part personal brand and part protector of the separation between personal and professional: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-a-500-home-office-changed-my-life/">a dedicated home office space</a> serves many functions. But if you’re still rocking a haphazard setup from early pandemic days, or haven’t yet abandoned the dining room table in favor of a separate work area, you might find your arrangement has grown slightly stale.&nbsp;



Which means it’s time for a refresh! Review our tips and trends for creating a home office design to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-easy-ways-to-maximize-your-workspace-and-productivity/">maximize your productivity</a>, remain Zen despite the many Zooms and showcase your personal aesthetic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-create-a-home-office-design-for-better-productivity">Create a Home Office Design for Better Productivity</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-form-follows-function">Form Follows Function</h3>



Before embarking on your design journey, you first need to determine what role you want your home office to play in your home—and life.



“I don't get asked to produce a calm workplace as much as a productive one,” Meg Behrens, founder and lead designer of <a href="https://www.megbehrensdesign.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meg Behrens Design</a>, says. “Many times clients have been working at the kitchen table&nbsp;and are in the middle of the family action. In remodels, we are closing in the formal dining room to create an office.”



Stephanie Pohlman, owner and head designer of <a href="https://www.stephaniepohlmandesigns.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Pohlman Designs</a>, is seeing an increased need for a functional home office.



“If you find it would be more useful to get multiple uses out of the space, think about built-ins or flexible solutions to give you exactly what you need,” Pohlman says.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stop-the-flow-sometimes">Stop the Flow—Sometimes</h3>



Behrens believes actually having a door is critical to the home office experience, creating a physical boundary between work life and home life.&nbsp;



“This helps so you can have quietness and actually think when working, or close out the noise while you're on a Zoom call,” she notes. “But many people still like to know what the household is doing, so they are opting for a steel and glass door.”



So, just how much might this home office project cost?



“We typically&nbsp;budget 8-10K for a full room design,” Pohlman says. “The cost can vary based on how elaborate you go with furniture&nbsp;and cabinetry.”



Behrens says final costs can depend on the square footage of the room, and what is already in place.



“If you have to add walls and glass doors, it will be more expensive than an office that is already enclosed. Good office furniture I like to see as an investment, because you use it five out of seven days and spend a lot of time with it.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clutter-be-gone">Clutter Be Gone</h3>



To ensure you’re staying on task, think sleek and simple. Behrens wants clients to remove any TVs from their home office, while Pohlman believes personal items should be kept to a minimum.&nbsp;



“This creates a separation of your <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blending-is-in/">work and life balance</a>,” she adds, adding that clutter can also make a work environment more stressful or distracting.



“We like to incorporate built-ins or furniture pieces with storage for extra electronics and paper files to keep them off your desk,” she notes.



Installing floating shelves can also help you easily access what you need, increasing your efficiency and thereby reducing stress.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calming-colors">Calming Colors</h3>



Another stress reduction component to a home office comes from your choice of furniture and paint colors.



House Beautiful advocates for <a href="https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/decorate/home-office/a42473154/home-office-trends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thoughtfully-chosen hues</a>, as color plays a large part in influencing our mood. Looking for something soothing? Think blues, greens and neutrals. If you want to feel energized or increase creativity, opt for bright shades.



“We like to keep the overall color palette neutral for a calming environment,” Pohlman says. “Keeping artwork and accessories simple, yet eye-catching, is important!”



“I love to have a cute potted plant in the corner, or one on a desk,” Behrens adds. “This connects you to the outside and actually helps you breathe as well, if it's a real plant.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expected-2024-trends">Expected 2024 Trends</h2>



Searching for further inspiration, or how to inject personality into a staid space? Behrens feels the home office aesthetic is trending in one of two directions.



“People are either wanting a natural office with lots of organic materials, or they're going dark and moody,” she says. “For instance, we're getting ready to finish an office, and built-ins and walls are all painted Farrow &amp; Ball&nbsp;Beverly #310 [a muted mossy green]. We have brushed gold sconces above the&nbsp;built-ins&nbsp;and an amazing chandelier to showcase the whole space.”&nbsp;



Pohlman’s clients are still requesting flexible workstations that are multiuse, such as adding Murphy beds or also using the office as a homework room.



“We continue to get requests for a nice focal point behind the desk, too,” she adds. “Sometimes this can mean built-ins, or a feature accent wall with interesting woodwork details.”



Behrens adds that people are also thinking about their Zoom backgrounds and want them to look curated.



“We are specifying&nbsp;fun wallpapers, wainscoting or trim walls,” she says. “People want an accent and a statement.”



Photo by <a href="https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/asbe?mediatype=photography">asbe</a>/iStock.

It's time to update your home office design for better productivity. Two interior designers share tips on colors, clutter and 2024 trends.

It's time to update your home office design for better productivity. Two interior designers share tips on colors, clutter and 2024 trends. | SUCCESS

Interior Designers Dish on How to Create a Home Office Design for Better Productivity

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woman holding a money conversation in the workplace with a middle-aged man who looks concerned and has his hand across the bottom half of his face

Many people consider it taboo to discuss money, politics and religion, as any polite conversationalist or savvy dater knows. But we can't always dismiss money conversations in the workplace—nor should we. Here are a few tips for how to deftly navigate this sometimes awkward topic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-common-money-conversations-in-the-workplace-and-how-to-navigate-them">3 common money conversations in the workplace and how to navigate them</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-money-issue-no-1-celebrating-a-coworker-s-fill-in-the-blank">Money issue No. 1: Celebrating a coworker’s (fill in the blank)</h3>



Engagement. Wedding. Babies. While you share in your coworker’s happiness, does that mean you’re obligated to contribute to the gift collection that celebrates multiple, and often back-to-back, milestones?&nbsp;



Cynthia Holman is an IT finance professional based out of St. Louis, Missouri. Her colleagues encouraged her to contribute to some work collections in the past, but for her, the decision to contribute—and the price point—is situation-dependent.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-solutions">Possible solutions</h4>



“I think it’s important for someone organizing a collection to clearly state that giving is optional,” Holman says. “Not contributing to a gift should not negatively reflect on someone in the workplace. Someone <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-to-better-handle-financial-stress/">may be struggling financially</a> and not feel comfortable sharing why they are not contributing.”



One option is to consider developing a policy that dictates when you’ll contribute, and sharing the terms of that policy when asked. For example, if someone wants you to chip in for a wedding gift for Susan from the accounting department, you can explain that you only contribute to gifts for people on your team. Or that you’ll share your well wishes with Susan on your own.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-money-issue-no-2-lack-of-salary-transparency">Money issue No. 2: Lack of salary transparency</h3>



You’re <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-best-tools-to-help-you-land-your-dream-job/">applying for a new role</a> and the application asks you to list your salary requirements. You don’t want to name a figure too high that puts you out of the running, but you also want to make sure you’re not underselling yourself. The salary is not listed on the job description, and Google comes back with such a wide range, you’re unsure of what to put down.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-solutions">Possible solutions</h4>



Instead of having the onus reside solely on an employee to determine how much they should be asking for, more employers are starting to become transparent with salary, following new legislation in places including New York, Washington, Colorado and California.&nbsp;



Companies across the country are beginning to post salary ranges in order to stay competitive. <a href="https://www.hiringlab.org/2023/03/14/us-pay-transparency-march-2023/#:~:text=In%20February%202020%2C%2018.4%25%20of,from%2010%25%20to%2040%25." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research by Indeed</a> determined that “the share of US job postings on Indeed advertising employer-provided salary information more than doubled between February 2020 and February 2023, rising from 18.4% to 43.7%.”



“In my view, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/business/money-salary-transparency-pay.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salary transparency is a must</a>,” Holman says. “It helps applicants understand what a position will pay and helps close the pay gap.”



She has applied for roles in the past without a published salary range.&nbsp;



“I have usually known a friend at that company who could tell me an approximation of the role’s pay,” she adds.



If you’re looking <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-get-promoted-4-steps-to-prepare-for-the-next-step-in-your-career/">to make a move up</a> or <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-know-when-to-retire-or-change-careers/">out of your company</a>, and can’t find the results you need online, ask a friend, former colleague or even just someone in the industry for more information.



<a href="https://www.today.com/tmrw/talking-about-money-doesn-t-have-make-us-cringe-here-t187105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Today.com article</a> has some helpful tips for improving your confidence when discussing salary, including:



<ul>
<li>“Practicing what you’re going to say”: Envision how your boss might respond to your request for a raise, and how you can bolster your argument.</li>



<li>“Keep your eyes on the prize”: Despite your discomfort, remember the reason for your conversation: to gain more knowledge, to ask for a raise or to better understand your path forward to a promotion.</li>
</ul>



Armed with more information, you’ll be able to better negotiate salary from a place of information and power.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-money-issue-no-3-feeling-pressured-to-donate-to-charity">Money issue No. 3: Feeling pressured to donate to charity</h3>



“Total US philanthropic giving decreased significantly in 2022,” according to <a href="https://nonprofitquarterly.org/why-philanthropic-giving-declined-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giving USA’s 2023 report</a>, after the previous two years of heightened giving “largely due to… the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to racial and social justice movements in the United States.” And between stock market losses that impact high-net-worth donors and inflation that decreases the amount of disposable personal income, many people felt stretched thin.



But just because you might have less to give doesn’t mean the requests to donate to other causes, such as a coworker’s child’s fundraiser, will let up.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-solutions-1">Possible solutions</h4>



As with the previous two money issues, ease possible discomfort by being the change yourself. If you’re an employer, offer employees alternatives to supporting an organization monetarily, such as volunteering their time.&nbsp;



If you’re advocating on behalf of your child, send an email or have a sign-up sheet at your desk, but avoid approaching people one-on-one to minimize pressure. Whether you’re an employer or employee collecting funds, never imply that donating is mandatory or that an employee will advance in some way if they give.



And if someone approaches you directly and you’re unable to or uninterested in giving, always remember that “no, thank you” is a complete sentence—no explanation required.

Here's how to respond to common—and tricky—money conversations in the workplace, like pitching in for a colleague's personal milestone.

Here's how to respond to common—and tricky—money conversations in the workplace, like pitching in for a colleague's personal milestone. | SUCCESS

3 Awkward Money Conversations in the Workplace and How to Navigate Them

Navigating 3 Awkward Money Conversations in the Workplace | SUCCESS

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three men in work attire toast glasses of wine while drinking with colleagues

Tales of holiday parties gone wild are often part of company lore. According to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230320-why-workplace-drinking-culture-is-fading-fast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a recent BBC Worklife article</a>, however, the workplace drinking culture may quickly be fading. What role does alcohol play today when doing business over lunch or celebrating after hours, especially in remote and hybrid workplace cultures? And will employees not get ahead if they opt to skip the booze or forgo attending an event entirely? Here are some key considerations to help you determine your approach to drinking with colleagues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-era-of-socialization-drinking-with-colleagues">A new era of socialization: drinking with colleagues</h2>



With the demarcation between the personal and professional becoming blurrier over the last few years, it makes sense we’d also reassess the relationship alcohol and networking play in <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-networking-is-not-overrated/">an employee’s ultimate success</a>.



While <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-ways-to-start-connecting-with-people/">socializing at work</a> can boost team performance, improve worker well-being and protect against stress, alcohol and drinking culture may play a role in these types of social events.



Digital marketing specialist Cully Eisenbeis believes building networks and partnerships with colleagues, vendors, leaders and clients <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/strong-relationships-are-still-the-key-to-business-success/">is a very important part</a> of how he has built his career. As he’s gone from a single, recent college graduate to being in his late 30s and married with two children, he’s also seen a shift in others’ approach to drinking, as well as his own, while climbing the corporate ladder.



“As I have gotten older, it is much less about getting wasted with colleagues and more about having a couple of cocktails to relax,” he says. “Instead of crushing beers with interns, it is now about having a nice glass of wine or bourbon with leadership or close partners, or all having a few beers at a sporting event.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protocol-for-drinking-around-colleagues-who-don-t">Protocol for drinking around colleagues who don't</h3>



While Eisenbeis will choose to have a few drinks in a social setting with co-workers, he’s seen more and more people who choose not to drink at all, or limit what they do drink.



“In fact, if I am with a colleague (or anyone really) that says they don't drink or they have stopped drinking, I typically ask if it is okay if I have a drink,” he says. “I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable or appear to be pushing them into something they have worked to get away from. It is less about the alcohol and much more about the non-work conversations. However, a few drinks can lead to some interesting 'shop talk'.”



There have also been times when Eisenbeis has seen colleagues have a few too many, and he has probably done the same. While in your younger years, he says, you might tend to laugh off someone’s behavior, these days he mentions sometimes getting intense 'hangxiety' after a long night out with co-workers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The good, the bad and the ugly of alcohol</h2>



In his song, Blame It, Jamie Foxx sings: “Blame it on the Goose / Gotcha feelin’ loose.” While a drink or two might calm nerves or hasten laughter among colleagues, we’ve all seen the potentially career-damaging or job-ending impacts drinking can have due to the consequences of alcohol consumption.



“I have seen colleagues get in arguments, hook up, tell the boss how it is and everything in between,” Eisenbeis says.



<a href="https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/08/end-office-happy-hours-workplace-drinking-anxiety.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Slate article</a> highlights those on the other side of that line, who often fear they’ll be seen as uptight or not a team player if they don’t drink.



The first thing to realize? Drinking at a work event doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. If you decide you would like to have a drink, <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/drink-not-drink-handle-alcohol-002300087.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this Yahoo article</a> offers some helpful tips to ensure you behave responsibly, such as never drinking more than your colleagues, among a few other tips and strategies.



It also helps to have an understanding of how your body reacts to different types of alcohol, and to order accordingly. For example, beer has a lower average alcohol content than wine or liquor, which means you might be able to tolerate more and still feel in control. Or you might know that there is a marked difference in your behavior when you have two drinks versus one, so you preemptively plan to stick to one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-the-days-of-liquid-lunches-over">Are the days of liquid lunches over?</h2>



And what about those power lunches that used to be the stuff of legends? Eisenbeis doesn’t know of anyone these days that includes alcohol when meeting over the lunch hour with colleagues or clients.



“I think the idea of a liquid lunch in the corporate world is a thing of the past,” Eisenbeis says. “I can't&nbsp;imagine going out for lunch, having a few drinks and then coming back to the office for the afternoon to have a one-on-one with one of my peers. That sounds awful and unprofessional. As much as I fancy myself as a Don Draper, I can't&nbsp;imagine a time when it would be appropriate for me to have a drink at lunch on a Tuesday.”&nbsp;



As for work events or happy hours following the conclusion of the work day?&nbsp;



&nbsp;“Personally, I love a few good drinks with my colleagues and hope they enjoy a few with me,” Eisenbeis says.

Drinking with colleagues is more commonplace in the modern working world. Here's how to know whether you should indulge, and how much.

Drinking with colleagues is more commonplace in the modern working world. Here's how to know whether you should indulge, and how much. | SUCCESS

Drinking with Colleagues: Does Mixing Alcohol and Business Create a Cocktail for Disaster?

Drinking with Colleagues: What Are the Rules? | SUCCESS

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Construction worker smiling at phone while responding to workplace communication

Holding doors, saying “please” and “thank you” and practicing good table manners—most of us are well versed in these common social etiquette behaviors. But as technology and work arrangements evolve, the rules governing workplace communication etiquette may need to do the same. Do you have to respond to an email within a certain number of hours? How long do you have to send a message back to a colleague? And if your first communication goes unanswered, when should you follow up?



While norms and rules might vary by company, here are some general best practices for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/rohn-8-ways-to-master-the-art-of-communication/">clear and concise communication</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-danger-in-not-outlining-communication-expectations">The danger in not outlining communication expectations</h2>



Stress. Burnout. Having to be “always on,” even during off-hours. A BBC Worklife headline once referred to it as “The crippling <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-cost-of-remote-work-in-a-technology-centered-world/">expectation of 24/7 digital availability</a>.”



Courtney Leyes is a Tennessee-based partner with Fisher Phillips, a nationwide labor and employment law firm. She often feels the need to immediately respond to emails.



“I try to respond as quickly as possible internally—internal referrals and reputation is important to me—and same for externally, the latest being 24 hours,” she says. “In my line of work, failing to respond could mean I lose out on a case or matter. A lot of these deadlines are self-imposed, and I wish I didn’t feel the need to immediately respond, but this would be quite the habit to break!”



As for Microsoft Teams messaging, Leyes doesn’t feel a need to respond right away.



“I use it mostly internally to bounce ideas off my friends,” she explains. “And send Schitt’s Creek gifs. No one holds anything against anyone if they don’t respond.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">General best practices for workplace communication&nbsp;</h2>



So what exactly are some good rules of thumb around communication efficiency?



<ol>
<li>Try to respond to emails within 24 hours. If you don’t have an answer, say you’re working on getting one and you’ll respond with further information soon.</li>



<li>Pick up the phone in lieu of an email if the tone or subject matter could be misinterpreted.</li>



<li>When you need to send a follow-up email, <a href="https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-to-follow-up-with-someone-whos-not-getting-back-to-you" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Harvard Business Review recommends</a> front-end actions to get your initial email answered more quickly. Those include a strategic subject line, utilizing simple language and asking clear and direct questions. In general, you should send a follow-up email one week after the first email, though this could vary depending on how time-sensitive your request is.</li>



<li>Respond thoughtfully to group emails, rather than feeling pressured to respond first.</li>



<li>For messages, etiquette expert Diane Gottsman <a href="https://dianegottsman.com/2022/02/02/what-is-the-etiquette-for-responding-to-emails-work-ims-and-social-media-comments/#:~:text=Work%20Emails,on%20a%20time%2Dsensitive%20project" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recommends using the status message</a> as a guide for when to respond. “When your status is showing as online, your coworker or supervisor is likely expecting a quick response (within minutes),” she writes. “Consider making use of the ‘do not disturb’ or ‘busy’ feature when you need to work uninterrupted for blocks of time. After you wrap up your work day, take advantage of the various status options available, such as ‘away.’”</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What can companies do to improve workplace communication expectations?</h2>



Leyes isn’t the only one who feels the need to respond to emails quickly. Organizational psychologist Adam Grant <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/13/opinion/email-time-work-stress.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told The New York Times</a> about a series of experiments conducted by researchers Laura Giurge and Vanessa Bohns that demonstrated an “email urgency bias.”



“When people received emails outside work hours, they thought senders expected faster replies than they did,” Grant writes. “The more recipients believed they needed to respond quickly, the more stressed they felt—and the more they tended to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/combat-workplace-burnout-by-setting-better-boundaries/">struggle with burnout</a> and work-life balance.”



So how can companies alleviate their workers’ stress? It comes down to communication.



“Just saying something like ‘This isn’t urgent, so get to it whenever you can’ was enough to alleviate the perceived pressure to respond quickly,” Grant explains.



He also cites evidence that when managers are explicit about their communication expectations—including target response times—their employees report being more productive and effective in their daily tasks.



Erica Dhawan, author of <a href="https://amzn.to/3rDbQqr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digital Body Language</a>, writes in a <a href="https://hbr.org/2021/05/did-you-get-my-slack-email-text" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard Business Review article</a> that teams should schedule a meeting to define their own communication norms. She offers a list of questions to guide the discussion, including:



“What’s been the most collaborative experience you’ve had in each of these channels?



<ul>
<li>IM (Microsoft Teams, Slack, Skype, etc.)</li>



<li>Email</li>



<li>Video calls</li>



<li>Texting (if applicable)</li>
</ul>



Based on these positive experiences, what are the norms that we want to set up for each channel?....&nbsp; As you set up these guidelines, think about message length, complexity and response time.



<ul>
<li>How long is too long for an IM message?</li>



<li>Do we want to put a limit on the number of people to include in a group IM?</li>



<li>When (if ever) is it appropriate to text someone?</li>



<li>What is the expected response time for emails?”</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Set personal communication boundaries</h2>



Don’t be afraid to set your workplace communication boundaries, and share them widely.



“Being a mom, I have tried to set boundaries with my clients and colleagues,” Leyes says. “Five to 8 p.m. is my time unless there is a federal government raid, or someone is bleeding. For the most part people respect my boundaries, but there are some folks who follow-up if I don’t respond right away. I try not to hold that against anyone, given that we’re all trying to compete for attention.”

These workplace communication tips can help you determine how and when to digitally respond to your colleagues, and what boundaries to set.

These workplace communication tips can help you determine how and when to digitally respond to your colleagues, and what boundaries to set. | SUCCESS

Workplace Communication Etiquette: Best Practices for Response Times and Setting Boundaries

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a middle-aged chef watches as an intern cuts vegetables in a restaurant kitchen, an example of working with interns

What was your first internship? For many of us, now years removed from that type of learning experience, the question comes up as an icebreaker activity rather than a serious interview question. In fact, you might have risen to a level in your career that means you now find yourself managing interns.



While <a href="https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-an-internship" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the benefits of internships</a> to college students and young professionals are numerous, what about the benefits to companies and employees who work directly with interns? Here’s how businesses can help ensure their investment in interns is paying dividends for individual employees and the company as a whole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mutual-benefits-of-internships-from-a-former-intern-to-current-director-of-marketing">The mutual benefits of internships: from a former intern to current director of marketing</h2>



Lincoln, Nebraska-based Jenny Sundberg serves as the director of marketing and strategic planning for Bryan Health. Sundberg and I first met when she was in college, and we got to know each other better when she served as an intern in my Chicago-based marketing department 13 years ago. Sundberg now works with interns herself at Bryan Health, and believes internships provide equal opportunities and benefits to both parties.



“At Bryan Health, we are fortunate to have longevity spanning years, and even decades,” Sundberg says. “Interns provide our organization with a fresh perspective on our industry, as many are consumers, and provide an inflow of talent.”



Sundberg explains that interns offer valuable input on process improvement and efficiencies, as well as bring diverse ideas to the table.&nbsp;



“We create and foster an environment for interns to challenge the status quo, pose questions and pressure test ideas,” Sundberg says. “Our leadership not only creates strong engagement through <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-ways-great-leaders-give-rise-to-great-ideas/">listening to the ideas</a> of new employees and interns, but also provides opportunities to deploy them.”



<a href="https://www.cpshr.us/resources/the-mutual-benefits-of-internships" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CPS HR Consulting lists</a> some of the same benefits as Sundberg, including the opportunity for businesses to gain brand advocates and build a talent pipeline. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ <a href="https://www.naceweb.org/uploadedfiles/files/2022/publication/executive-summary/2022-nace-internship-and-co-op-survey-executive-summary.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 Internship &amp; Co-Op Survey Report</a>, just over 68% of 2020-2021 interns got a full-time offer after completing their internship.



“If you’ve created an internship program that nurtures the student, gives them impactful work and rewards their contribution to the organization, they’ll likely share their positive experiences with their peers, friends and family,” CPS HR Consulting wrote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Individual employee benefits of working with interns</h2>



Perhaps your company has asked for help with its interns before, and you’ve been reluctant to raise your hand. You might think you don’t have enough bandwidth, or that someone that young and with much less experience might slow you down. However, it’s actually possible to reap many benefits by working with interns.



“Employees who work with our interns often gain fresh insights, empathy and understanding to a new generation—and an extra set of hands,” Sundberg says.



The Brad D. Smith Schools of Business at Marshall University <a href="https://www.marshall.edu/cob/employers/employer-internship-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">list several benefits</a> to working with interns for both companies and individual employees, including enhancing supervisory skills. And while not as formal as supervising interns, if you choose to serve as their mentor, that can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/everything-you-need-to-know-to-become-a-great-leader/">build your leadership skills</a> and even renew your <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/do-you-have-to-be-passionate-about-your-job/">knowledge of or appreciation for</a> your role or industry.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to make the experience smooth for both parties</h2>



For an internship to be considered successful, Sundberg believes it’s critical that the intern and employer develop an understanding of one another.



“For an employer, institutional knowledge can be both a blessing and a curse,” she says. “Make sure you step foot in your intern’s shoes and create a welcoming environment. This can include things as simple as showing them where the bathroom is on their first day to thoroughly walking them through important processes and introducing them to key individuals they’ll engage with during their internship. Meet-and-greets, lunches and invitations to team meetings can help build engagement from the beginning.”



As for how an intern can ensure a successful experience? “For an intern, it’s important to ask questions, to also not assume and to respect the employers’ other obligations within their role,” Sundberg says. “It can be intimidating to speak up when you’re unsure or need more information to be successful. Your employer will appreciate when you do.”



She adds that, at the end of the day, “Mutually, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/rohn-8-ways-to-master-the-art-of-communication/">good communication between both parties</a> is always key to ensuring a successful and smooth experience.”

Internships are helpful for those new to an industry, but what about the companies involved? Here are the benefits of working with interns.

Internships are helpful for those new to an industry, but what about the companies involved? Here are the benefits of working with interns. | SUCCESS

Working with Interns Can Benefit Everyone Involved—Here's How

Working with Interns Can Benefit Everyone Involved—Here&#8217;s How

The Benefits of Working with Interns | SUCCESS

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three office employees taking lunch breaks outside

While lunchtime is an opportunity to break for some nourishment, part of the school lunch allure is allowing students a half hour or so to catch up with friends, cram for an afternoon test, buy a bake-sale item or win a trivia contest.



And while your food options may be more plentiful as you grow older, the midday meal may be a source of guilt or a seemingly unnecessary break for many adults, at least during the work week. And <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/challenging-the-office-role-in-a-remote-working-world/">with the continuing presence</a> of hybrid or fully remote models of work, many may decide against taking a break to eat. So if you tend to eat a salad at your desk with your head down, here are some reasons taking time out of your day to break for lunch can actually benefit your career.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-latest-lunch-trends">Latest lunch trends</h2>



According to <a href="https://1703639.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1703639/TheLunchReport_FoodImprovesProductivity_July_2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a 2022 survey</a> conducted by ezCater, 78% of workers feel that having a lunch break improves their productivity at work. Yet, “1 in 10 employees never take a break away from their desks—and 70% eat while they work at least once a week,” along with 43% of workers who eat at their desks at least three times a week. Jordan McDonnell, a St. Louis-based transaction coordinator, is among those who sometimes work through lunch.



“It’s nice to be able to get more work done,” she says. She spends three days a week in the office, and two days working from home.



“My office has a kitchen that contains snacks, so I appreciate that I could quickly grab something if I needed to without having to leave the building,” she adds.



The survey also broke out results by generation, with some particularly interesting findings for Generation Z. “21% [of younger workers] said they don’t haven’t enough time in their day to get their work done if they take a break,” according to the study, and “1 in 4 Gen Z workers are worried their employer won’t look favorably on them if they take lunch.”&nbsp;



Why, exactly, might the fear or guilt of taking a lunch break exist? The ezCater survey reports that “56% of director-level and 51% of VPs (and above) work at their desks while eating lunch at least three times per week.” With this action, upper-level management is setting an example—ignoring breaks and working through lunch—more junior colleagues may think they need to follow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benefits of taking lunch breaks</h2>



So whether you prefer to eat through lunch or feel pressured because others in your company do so, it’s helpful to realize that there are many benefits of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-incorporate-microbreaks-into-your-work-from-home-routine/">stepping away from the desk</a>.



<a href="https://www.torkusa.com/press-releases/tork-takes-back-lunch-break" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A 2021 Tork survey</a> found that employees who take lunch breaks report that their breaks increase happiness (94%) and allow them time to take a fresh perspective (94%), maintain their mental focus (91%) and “return to work feeling refreshed and reenergized” (88%). Additionally, the survey found that “more than 9 in 10 employees say they are more likely to stay at a company where bosses encourage their employees to take a break.”&nbsp;



Additionally, according to the ezCater survey, a lunch break may boost not just performance, but also offer <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-strategies-for-managing-stress/">a means to reduce stress</a> (40%) and burnout (37%) <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/you-can-choose-happiness/">while improving happiness</a> (46%) <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/12-creativity-hacks/">and boosting creativity</a> in the latter half of the day (25%), among other benefits, all of which could only be a further boon to your career.&nbsp;



For those in the office, choosing to eat in the cafeteria, going out to eat with colleagues or simply walking together to pick up lunch and bring it back to the office can give you time to socialize and improve your relationships. Perhaps you’ll learn something new about a colleague or give your boss an opportunity to see you in a setting outside the strict confines of an office setting.



Kevin Kniffin, a Cornell University assistant professor and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08959285.2015.1021049" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">author of a study</a> that found that groups that eat together perform better together, further espoused the values of eating together to <a href="https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8638-employees-eat-together.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business News Daily</a>.



“From an evolutionary anthropology perspective, eating together has a long, primal tradition as a kind of social glue,” Kniffin states. “That seems to continue in today’s workplaces.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Employers, practice what you preach</h2>



Despite the evident short-term benefits (recharging) and long-term benefits (networking, team effectiveness and boosting performance) of lunch breaks, junior staffers might still shy away from taking a break. Leaders can help set the tone by:



<ul>
<li>Limiting lunchtime meetings. By protecting the lunch hour from meeting creep, you’re encouraging employees to take that time for themselves.</li>



<li>Offer small group lunches or host networking events. This pulls employees from their desk to participate in in-person or Zoom events in which they can eat while getting to know their company or colleagues better.</li>



<li>Be the change. Tell employees you’re taking lunch, block your calendar and then… take your lunch. Your example may make others feel they can do the same.</li>
</ul>

Do you work through your lunch breaks? Surveys found that taking time to enjoy lunch during the workday can actually benefit your career.

Do you work through your lunch breaks? Surveys found that taking time to enjoy lunch during the workday can actually benefit your career. | SUCCESS

Stop Working and Take Your Lunch Breaks—Your Career Will Thank You

Here’s Why You Should Take Lunch Breaks at Work | SUCCESS

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