Career Development | Jennifer McClure`

6 Resources to Create a Leadership Development Plan to Fuel Continuous Personal Growth and Career Success

If you’re serious about creating positive change in the lives of those that you lead and serve, it’s critical for you to be intentional about continuing your own personal development as a leader, and never become complacent or satisfied that you’ve finally “made it”.

How can you be intentional about your continuous leadership learning journey?

Start with identifying several sources that challenge and inspire you and can provide you with consistent and reliable information and encouragement, so that you can explore and implement several to facilitate your personal growth and development.

Thankfully, there are plenty of great resources out there – many free or low cost to access – that can become part of your own Leadership Development Plan. For example, below are 6 resources that I’ve incorporated into my life that consistently provide leadership learning and growth opportunities for me:

1. Books

This category is low hanging fruit to grasp, because there are so many great books – both old and new – out there on the topic of leadership! Some of my consistent favorite authors include Adam Grant, Brené Brown, Brendon Burchard, and John C. Maxwell.

2. Blogs

While the glory days of blogging seem to have come and gone, there are still plenty of blogs or websites that share the latest research and trends related to my areas of interest. I’m a regular reader of several blogs by bloggers who write about leadership, people strategies, and professional speaking.

A few of my consistent favorites include: Steve Browne (Everyday People), Tim Sackett (The Tim Sackett Project), Josh Bersin, the LinkedIn Talent blog, The Speaker Lab, and Jane Atkinson (The Wealthy Speaker).

3. Newsletters

Newsletters have unfortunately gotten a bad rap, because so many people/organizations abuse the privilege of dropping into our inboxes by signing us up to receive their newsletters without permission. (BTW, I can click unsubscribe faster than it took them to enter my email address without my permission into their email service provider.) However, please don’t let the bad actors discourage you from signing up to receive regular updates from thought leaders and content creators who do provide value.

I receive and enjoy reading regular updates from Hung Lee (Recruiting Brainfood), Ann Handley (Total Annarchy), Mike Kim, James Clear, DisruptHR LLC, HR Executive.com, McKinsey & Company, and DDI (Leadership Development Resources).

4. Online Courses

The world of online learning has exploded since 2020, and there are more opportunities to learn online – both free and paid – than ever before. I recommend checking out my friend Laurie Ruettimann’s popular LinkedIn Learning courses – which have been viewed by millions – as well as some of the leadership and personal development courses options from Dana Brownlee, Todd Dewett, and Dorie Clark.

5. Conferences & Events

With so many options to choose from, sometimes it can be a challenge to find a conference or event near you that is focused on the area you’d specifically like to learn more about.

If you’re in the people and talent space, check out this great open-source list, curated by Hung Lee of Recruiting Brainfood -> “Recruiting Brainfood Big List of Recruiting & HR Events to attend in 2023.” The Academy to Innovate HR has also shared “40 HR Conferences to Attend in 2023” and Recruiting Daily has curated “Your 2023 Recruiting & HR Events List.”

It’s also likely that a DisruptHR event is coming soon near you wherever you are in the world. [View a listing of upcoming DisruptHR events HERE.]

6. Podcasts

Podcasts are my go-to learning resource these days. I subscribe to dozens, and enjoy listening / learning while driving, cooking, working out, spending time with my horses, etc. (I recently shared some of my favorites, here on the blog.)

More favorites include several from Zachary Nunn and the Living Corporate team, All Hands with Katelin Holloway, Punk Rock HR with Laurie Ruettimann, Redefining Work with Lars Schmidt, Digital HR Leaders with David Green, the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, and Re:Thinking with Adam Grant.

Speaking of my favorite leadership podcasts, if you’re not already subscribed, I’ll put in a shameless plug for the Impact Makers Podcast with Jennifer McClure, as another resource I recommend adding to your weekly intentional learning opportunities. 😊

As you can see, there are plenty of ways for each of us to take ownership of our own personal development, and to craft a customized resource library, full of endless learning opportunities.

If your areas of interest overlap with mine, I encourage you to check out some of the resources that I’ve shared above and be sure to intentionally set aside time on your calendar for learning — then continue to seek out new resources / new voices to add to your lists.

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As a keynote speaker and leadership coach, Jennifer McClure helps leaders to embrace the future of work, and to develop the skills necessary to lead their organizations and the people on their teams to take bold actions that positively impact business results.

Want more leadership and future of work insights from me?

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Written by Jennifer McClure

Is It Still Possible to Build Your Personal Brand Using Social Media in 2023?

We’re off and running in 2023, and I hope that you’re finding your footing after digging out of your email inbox, and resuming the regular rhythms of meetings and deadlines.

If you’re like me, you’re likely back to being busy – maybe even overwhelmed once again, so I thought I’d share some thoughts with you this week about one of the prime culprits of overwhelm for many of us – which is of course, is social media.

What used to be a great platform for connection, building personal relationships, and building your brand has now sucked a chunk of time out of us. And it has led us down this path where communication is made less civil, and sometimes, even hurtful.

Do I still think that leaders who want to stay current with business trends, and what’s happening in the future of work should be active on social media?

Yes, I do, because there are still ways you can use social media to grow your career or your business.

Today, let’s walk down the social media memory lane to see how these platforms have evolved over the years.

As you seek to continue to build your brand or grow your career this year, I’m diving into what’s working and what’s not working with these different social media and online platforms, in the next few episodes.

Next week, I’ll start with the most impactful of all – LinkedIn.

Make sure that you’re subscribed or following the Impact Makers podcast in your favorite listening platform, so you don’t miss an episode.

And, if you’d like to make an impact on someone in your network today, please share this episode with them, so they can embrace the future of work, and develop and grow the leadership skills necessary to make a positive impact at work and in life, right along with you!

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

The evolution of LinkedIn and how it’s helping business people until now
Twitter then and now
How Facebook has become a ghost town now
The popularity of Instagram today
Should leaders be active on social media?
Using social media to build meaningful relationships

IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 75

Key Quotes From This Episode:

“We have to be intentional and strategic about how we spend our time [on social media] consuming content, and how we create and share content to attract and engage the right people who want to hear from us and want to hear what we have to say.” ~ @Jennifer McClure

“I also still believe it is possible to build meaningful relationships with thought leaders, peers, and professionals in your industry and career field. But it takes time and more than a daily picture of your favorite cup of coffee to make those things happen.” ~ @Jennifer McClure

Connect with Jennifer:

Send her a message [https://jennifermcclure.net/contact/]

On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferMcClure

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_mcclure/

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferMcClureSpeaker

Written by Jennifer McClure

My Best Career Advice to Position Yourself for the Job You Want

How do you position yourself for the job that you want?

A career change is not easy, whether you feel stuck in you current job or just want to do something different that you enjoy.

As an employee, you’ve got to figure out how to get noticed to move your career ahead.

However, leaders also need to figure out how to provide a safe space and environment for their people to connect, even remotely.

I recently connected with Chris Villanueva, CEO & Co-Founder of Let’s Eat, Grandma, an online resume service that helps professionals rebrand themselves to land interviews for their dream jobs.

He invited me to be a guest on the Career Warrior Podcast, which he hosts, and we had a great chat about networking, relationship building, and how the changing world of work impacts both job seekers, and people leaders.

Chris and his team have graciously allowed me to share it so, sit back, and get ready for the best advice I’ve got for you to position yourself for the job you want – at least in 2022!

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

My thoughts on the future of work, and what both job seekers and HR leaders should be paying attention to.
The skills that will be most in-demand in the workplace of the future.
How to properly build relationships and network when many people are working remotely and networking less.
How to position yourself for new opportunities when you’re interested in making a career change.
The worst things job seekers do with their resumes that annoy HR and hiring managers.

IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 66

Key Quotes From This Episode:

“It’s really hard to establish connections when we are online behind a screen and connecting with people.” ~ @Chris Villanueva

“Just because it isn’t paid experience doesn’t mean it’s not valid experience that can end up pushing you to get more interviews.” ~ @Chris Villanueva

“You can always do something different.” ~ @Jennifer McClure

People & Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Meta from Workplace

Let’s Eat Grandma Career Warrior Podcast

Career Warrior Podcast #274 – The Future of Work for Job Seekers with Jennifer McClure

Let’s Eat Grandma | Best Resume Writing Service

Chris Villanueva LinkedIn

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk

Julie Turney / HR@Heart Consulting Inc.

Personal Brand Workbook

Steve Browne

Show Sponsor:

This episode of the Impact Makers Podcast is sponsored by Workplace from Meta.

Everybody’s talking about the metaverse these days, but Workplace from Meta is different – I mean, the clue’s in the name, right?

Workplace is a business communication tool that uses features like instant messaging and video calls to help people share information. Think Facebook, but for your company.

It’s part of Meta’s vision for the future of work – a future in which your job isn’t just something you do, but something you EXPERIENCE. A future in which we’ll all feel more present, connected, and productive.

Start your journey into the future of work at workplace.com/future.

Connect with Jennifer:

Send her a message [https://jennifermcclure.net/contact/]

On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferMcClure

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_mcclure/

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferMcClureSpeaker

Written by Jennifer McClure

Turning Passion Into Purpose: From Career Coach to Recruiting Tech Company Founder With Ariel Lopez

One of the best things about the work that I do is that I have the opportunity to connect with so many talented people doing great things to make the world of work – and the world – better for us all in the future.

Early last year, while looking to expand my network of leaders with diversity and inclusion expertise, I reached out to my network and asked a simple question – “Who should I know that does great work in this area?”

What followed were over 90 recommendations, and I was able to make some great new connections, have some great conversations, and add to my list of potential referral partners in the future.

The first person who responded to my question was Daniel Chait, the CEO & co-founder of Greenhouse, an HR tech company that helps organizations become great at hiring.

Daniel was quick to recommend that I connect with one of his mentees – Ariel Lopez.

Ariel followed up with me shortly thereafter, and suggested that we connect briefly to get to know each other better. I enjoyed chatting with her so much, that I made introductions for her to a couple of leaders in my network as well, not because she or they had any specific need at the time, but because I could see that Ariel is someone who is making things happen, and I felt that they needed to know more about her and her work as well.

Which brings us to where we are today, where I’m also introducing Ariel to many of you. Pro tip: that’s how effective networking, relationship building, and follow up works, and you’ll hear more about how Ariel values that process in our conversation today.

So, without further adieu, let me introduce you to Ariel Lopez – a career coach, entrepreneur, and public speaker with an expertise in digital media and technology. Ariel is the Founder and CEO of Knac, a platform that provides recruiters with a more efficient tool for screening applicants, managing their pipeline, and ensuring that they don’t miss out on great talent.

With over a decade of recruiting experience, Ariel has had the privilege of helping some of the biggest brands in the world to build great teams, and as a career coach, she’s worked with thousands of marketing, advertising, and tech professionals to help them grow in their careers and find lucrative opportunities.

Passionate about the future of work and making the job search more humane, Ariel’s ultimate goal is to help people to find career happiness, and to live their best lives.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Why Ariel loved coaching people in their career journey, and how that experience set her on the journey to helping people to find jobs that they’re passionate about, and care for.
Ariel’s recommendation for people interested in finding a career that they love.
The importance of resilience and confidence for reaching career goals.
How identifying your leverageable skills can help you take charge of your career, and make wise choices.
Ariel’s tips for networking and building relationships during COVID times.
The importance of figuring out your values, and the pillars that you will focus on and speak to as a thought leader.
What inspired Ariel to start a company focused on helping candidates to break through barriers and gain access to opportunities.
The trait that most Founders need in order to keep pressing ahead on any Founder’s journey.

IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 54

(Email subscribers – click HERE to listen to the podcast.)

Key Quotes From This Episode:

“Keep the why strong. If your why is strong, you’ll be flexible with the how.” ~ Ariel Lopez

“Take your ego out of it. That’s very helpful in knowing that it’s not about you. Anything that happens in your journey that doesn’t work out, ultimately wasn’t meant for you.” ~ Ariel Lopez

“Figuring out what your leverageable skills are is probably one of the things that most professionals don’t know how to do well. You have to review your experience and your background, and figure out what skills are transferable into the new job that you want. The funny thing is that you probably have more transferable skills than you think.” ~ Ariel Lopez

“You’re going to have great conversations, and people are going to say no. You’re going to have great conversations, and people are going to say, this sounds cool, but I can’t do anything right now. And, you can’t take that personally, You have to accept it as ‘this is a no for right now, but that doesn’t mean a no forever.’ Having that approach to some of the people in our network has been life changing.” ~ Ariel Lopez

“Network you ass off is always my piece of advice — and trust the process.” ~ Ariel Lopez

People & Resources Mentioned In This episode:

Connect with Jennifer:

Send her a message [https://jennifermcclure.net/contact/]

On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferMcClure

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_mcclure/

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferMcClureSpeaker

Written by Jennifer McClure

Putting Yourself First and Finally Taking Control of Your Career With Laurie Ruettimann

I’m coming in hot into 2021 with Episode number 53 of the Impact Makers podcast!

Seriously.

I’m ready to emerge from my 2020 coronavirus induced cocoon, and to make great things happen in my world, and for you in this shiny and promising new year. And I can think of no better way to kick off the year, than with my BFF, Laurie Ruettimann.

Laurie is back as a guest on the podcast to chat about her first traditionally published book – Betting On You – which will be released on January 12, 2021.

And that’s truly a big deal.

In Episode 002 of the Impact Makers podcast, I shared a little bit about how I originally found Laurie online through one of her early blogs – Teambuilding Is For Suckers. She wrote every day about work, life and cats – among other things – and even though I didn’t always agree with her, or share some of her views, her writing style was totally engaging, and she always had an informed point of view that made me think.

Over the last 15+ years, she’s evolved online from the anonymous voice behind the Teambuilding Is For Suckers blog, to being the pixie of the apocalypse who penned the wildly popular Punk Rock HR blog, and then the successful blogger who blew everything up to rebrand, and become The Cynical Girl for awhile.

A few years ago, she took all of her great writing and talents over to her own online domain – laurieruettiman.com – and resurrected Punk Rock HR as the name of her popular weekly podcast.

And while she’s become my best friend over the last 11 years, I’m also her biggest Fan. She’s simply one of the best writers out there, and can always be counted on to share frank, informed – and sometimes contrary to popular opinions – career and life advice, which is what is needed in a world where many of the so-called career experts sound very much the same.

It’s always been a personal dream of Laurie’s to write a book, and to have it published by a traditional publishing house, and she’s finally made that dream come true. Her book – Betting On You: How To Put Yourself First And (Finally) Take Control Of Your Career – will be published and released by Henry Holt & Co on January 12, 2021.

So, of course, we needed to talk about this moment in time, and what it took to accomplish this major life goal. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m so glad that Laurie pushed through the challenges, did the hard work, and has reached the point where the book will go from a dream to reality next week.

In this episode, Laurie will share a couple of the career and life stories that are included in the book, and she’ll also unpack the framework she proposes for fixing work by fixing yourself – which includes focusing on self leadership, well-being, continuous learning, and risk taking.

I’m so proud of my friend. And I’m really proud of this book.

I’ve read an advance copy, have pre-ordered a hardback version, and will also purchase the audio book. I hope that you’ll buy at least one copy too, and will connect with Laurie to continue to follow her journey, as well as learn from her in the future.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

The steps Laurie took in the long process of selling her book proposal for Betting On You, and ultimately signing with a major publisher.
The project plan that Laurie and her team created to ensure that the book was written, and delivered on time.
The role that her husband, and a bottle of tequila, played in the receipt of the long awaited initially proposed book cover for Betting On You.
The framework for fixing work by fixing yourself: self leadership, well-being, continuous learning, and risk taking.
What the buyer of Betting On You is going to get – a fresh take on the world of work, and also life. Also, good stories, well told.
The role that punk rock singer Courtney Love played in Laurie deciding to put herself first, and reclaim her life.
Why everybody good gets fired at least once – and the lessons that can be learned in that process.
How using the pre-mortem process can help you approach your life and career more effectively.

IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 53

(Email subscribers – click HERE to listen to the podcast.)

Key Quotes From This Episode:

“You fix work by fixing yourself. People really get sick and tired of me saying that. I don’t care. I’m going to say it until I die. You fix work by fixing yourself. When you look at your employer for the answer, you’re never going to be satisfied. When you look for your HR lady to swoop in and solve a problem, even if she nails it, it’s never going to feel good. Because most of the problems we have at work reflect the problems we have in our own personal lives. I’ve never dealt with someone who was chronically late at work that didn’t have something going on in their personal life that was driving some of those attendance issues. For me to just sit there and blather on about an attendance policy was a failed way to solve that problem. We had to drive in deeper. And it’s not just attendance. It’s attention, it’s attitude, it’s engagement. All of this doesn’t start at work, it starts at home. That’s what I believe.” ~ Laurie Ruettimann

“Your worth is not your work.” ~ Laurie Ruettimann

“If you’ve been fired, know that you’re in really great company. But beyond that, know that it’s not the defining moment of your life – or it doesn’t have to be.” ~ Laurie Ruettimann