When my former manager reached out after hearing about my recent setback in an internal interview, it wasn’t just a friendly gesture - it was a profound lesson in leadership. He didn’t simply offer encouragement; he contacted the hiring team, took time to understand what happened, and helped me reflect on the experience. This act of support reminded me of the power leaders have to lift others up during challenging times. True leadership isn’t just about guiding success; it’s about standing by others when they’re down. Cherish those who go against the grain to support you, and strive to be that person for others.

After a recent interview setback for an internal management role, I gained valuable insights into the importance of clear self-representation. My former manager, who reached out for support, noted that my usual collaborative nature hadn’t come through in the interview, despite knowing me well. A mentor also suggested that my skills and strengths might not have been fully conveyed. Reflecting on this, I identified key reasons for the misrepresentation: assuming the interviewers knew my work style, nerves affecting my clarity, taking what comes naturally for granted, and overlooking the importance of balanced questions.

This experience reinforced a critical lesson: never assume others will fill in the gaps. Clear, intentional communication is essential to prevent misrepresentation and ensure we’re seen for who we truly are. For anyone experiencing their own “Waterloo” moment, reflecting and recalibrating can be the first step toward future success.

Why Every Corporate Professional Should Start a Side Business

For many corporate professionals, starting a side business isn’t about leaving a stable job but about building a valuable skill set that’s hard to learn within corporate structures. The real value lies in sharpening decision-making skills - the kind that directly impacts business outcomes.

In traditional corporate settings, decision-making is often filtered through hierarchical layers, where alignment with company norms frequently takes precedence over innovation. However, in a side business, every choice counts, and the consequences are immediate. This environment pushes you to make impactful, quick decisions with no corporate safety net to absorb mistakes. Each success or setback directly informs your approach, sharpening your ability to handle responsibility, evaluate risks, and adapt rapidly.

Starting a side business while working in a corporate role can transform your approach to both work and entrepreneurship. It equips you with the skills needed to take on bigger responsibilities, make high-impact choices, and move confidently in any business setting.

The Illusion of Influence Without Hierarchy: Why Efficiency Always Wins

In today’s corporate world, we often hear senior managers preach about “influencing without hierarchy,” as if personal charm alone can drive change. But as an entrepreneur, I’m calling out this illusion. The most efficient way to create value is by leveraging the tools and resources at your disposal - not by taking the hard road to prove you can influence without authority. The corporate obsession with influence without using hierarchy is not only misguided but wasteful. True leadership is about using every advantage you have to drive results, not self-hypnosis.

When my former manager reached out after hearing about my recent setback in an internal interview, it wasn’t just a friendly gesture - it was a profound lesson in leadership. He didn’t simply offer encouragement; he contacted the hiring team, took time to understand what happened, and helped me reflect on the experience. This act of support reminded me of the power leaders have to lift others up during challenging times. True leadership isn’t just about guiding success; it’s about standing by others when they’re down. Cherish those who go against the grain to support you, and strive to be that person for others.

After a recent interview setback for an internal management role, I gained valuable insights into the importance of clear self-representation. My former manager, who reached out for support, noted that my usual collaborative nature hadn’t come through in the interview, despite knowing me well. A mentor also suggested that my skills and strengths might not have been fully conveyed. Reflecting on this, I identified key reasons for the misrepresentation: assuming the interviewers knew my work style, nerves affecting my clarity, taking what comes naturally for granted, and overlooking the importance of balanced questions.

This experience reinforced a critical lesson: never assume others will fill in the gaps. Clear, intentional communication is essential to prevent misrepresentation and ensure we’re seen for who we truly are. For anyone experiencing their own “Waterloo” moment, reflecting and recalibrating can be the first step toward future success.

Why Every Corporate Professional Should Start a Side Business

For many corporate professionals, starting a side business isn’t about leaving a stable job but about building a valuable skill set that’s hard to learn within corporate structures. The real value lies in sharpening decision-making skills - the kind that directly impacts business outcomes.

In traditional corporate settings, decision-making is often filtered through hierarchical layers, where alignment with company norms frequently takes precedence over innovation. However, in a side business, every choice counts, and the consequences are immediate. This environment pushes you to make impactful, quick decisions with no corporate safety net to absorb mistakes. Each success or setback directly informs your approach, sharpening your ability to handle responsibility, evaluate risks, and adapt rapidly.

Starting a side business while working in a corporate role can transform your approach to both work and entrepreneurship. It equips you with the skills needed to take on bigger responsibilities, make high-impact choices, and move confidently in any business setting.

The Illusion of Influence Without Hierarchy: Why Efficiency Always Wins

In today’s corporate world, we often hear senior managers preach about “influencing without hierarchy,” as if personal charm alone can drive change. But as an entrepreneur, I’m calling out this illusion. The most efficient way to create value is by leveraging the tools and resources at your disposal - not by taking the hard road to prove you can influence without authority. The corporate obsession with influence without using hierarchy is not only misguided but wasteful. True leadership is about using every advantage you have to drive results, not self-hypnosis.