And just like that… we’re in Q4. Welcome!
So, two weeks ago, I shared a podcast episode from Leila Hormozi about a maker schedule vs. a manager schedule. If you missed it, take a listen. It’s a great episode.
But, what I find fascinating is that this week, I was listening to Tim Ferris talk with Kevin Rose, and wouldn’t you know, he also brought up the maker schedule vs. manager schedule. And, in fact, it was originally (though I suppose that’s also up for debate) discussed in a 2009 essay by Paul Graham.
My point? You don’t have to be a “thought leader” in order to offer tremendous value to others. Let me explain.
I thought Leila was brilliant for telling us all about how she uses this simple and powerful framework to set herself and her company up for success. And she is! Sure, she may not have had the first thought, but she shared the unique way she implemented the framework into her organization and gave us a detailed explanation of what works and what doesn’t – for her and her team.
If you’ve been thinking about positioning yourself as a thought leader, but hesitating because of the pressure, keep reading.
Being a thought leader means you are an expert and an authority on a particular topic. This, of course, can serve you well in your career and business. However, having all the answers and being an “expert” does bring with it a certain level of pressure and expectations (from yourself and others).
And I wonder if that pressure dissuades people from sharing their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives. I mean, if you don’t have all the answers then why bother, right? Wrong!
Instead of trying to be the expert, what if you just focused on sharing your thoughts, based on your unique perspective? After all, you’re a “thought leader” on your own life and experiences.
Lean into that. It sounds much easier and a lot less stressful to me!
Stop focusing on becoming a thought leader and just focus on sharing your thoughts.
I can’t wait to hear them!
– Hallie
On the Blog
“Do You Have Any Questions for Me?” 13 Questions to Ask During Your Next Interview
When interviewing for a Force Multiplier position, asking thoughtful, strategic questions is crucial. You are interviewing the the company just as much as they are interviewing you. You want to make sure that the organization, and the leader, that you’re going to work with aligns with your values and goals. The right fit, especially for a leader and Force Multiplier, is imperative for career satisfaction and long-term success. To be ready for the question about questions, read on.
Weekly Top 5
- I really appreciate this article from Phoenix Normand. It’s a perspective we don’t often hear in the RTO, hybrid-work, remote-work debate. And, contrary to much of the rhetoric, RTO is not just about profits or employee control (though, sure, that does exist). It’s about the economic ripple effects, career development and advancement, collaboration and innovation, and company culture and growth. The office still matters. What do you think?
- This may be one of the best (at least top 10) podcast episodes I’ve ever listened to. Tim Ferriss + Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame). Talking about boundaries, the language that we use to talk to ourselves, purpose anxiety (Hello! I’ve got it!), creativity, morning pages (I started mine on Tuesday), spiritual questions, deciding what projects to work on, and so much more. Listening to this episode was pure joy.
- A new Fast Company article, “Women who played sports are more likely to be business leaders,” shares recent stats that reinforces previous data on the connection between professional success and adolescent athletics. For example, 69% of women who earn more than $100K/year and are in leadership roles played competitive sports. Access to sports certainly benefits women and the ripple effect compounds those benefits. Read more about the impact of Title IX here.
- One of the biggest challenges assistants face in their careers is not always having a clearly defined path for growth. But building a successful and fulfilling career as an Executive Assistant (or using the role as a launching pad for other opportunities) is absolutely possible! Check out this Base Live panel with me and Diana Brandl for strategies and mindset tips to unlock growth, seize opportunities, and propel your EA career forward.
- Remember the 80/20 Principle? 20% of your efforts should produce 80% of your results. That’s true, but only if you choose your 20% wisely. What are you spending time on right now that isn’t contributing to the bottom line? What projects or tasks are time-consuming, but not actually maximizing your Executive’s time or furthering the company goals? James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, is right. It doesn’t matter how good of a job you’re doing if you’re working on the wrong task. Take some time today to evaluate your work. And get clear on your most important 20% for tomorrow.
