Tips for Identifying Learning Opportunities in Corporate Settings

How can curiosity help you grow in your career and personal influence? Curiosity only becomes power when it’s backed by proactive research and consistent preparation. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about building just enough of a foundation to ask the right question — the one that moves the conversation forward. Last week, SXSW Sydney shared a clip of my analysis — and it’s a message I’ve seen play out in boardrooms, startups, and leadership teams around the world. 💡 One practice I recommend: each week, pick one business challenge or emerging trend you don’t fully understand. Identify two trusted sources — it could be a podcast episode, a research report, or a colleague. Set aside 30 focused minutes for a deep dive, free from distractions. Then write down three questions or ideas that came from your learning, and bring those to your next team meeting or client call. This turns curiosity into deliberate action, helping you contribute meaningfully when it matters most. 📌 It’s not about who speaks first. It’s about who’s already ready. I believe that the people shaping the future aren’t waiting to be invited into the conversation. They’re preparing for it — long before it starts. Because by the time the meeting is called, by the time the opportunity shows up, it’s too late to start learning. What are you preparing for right now — before anyone asks? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! #Leadership #SXSWSydney

Practicing intellectual curiosity is critical to a leader’s journey of continuous learning and growth. We must ask questions, listen actively, seek out different perspectives, and challenge our assumptions. Many leaders read voraciously, reflect regularly, and engage with coaches and mentors to ensure we are exposed to new ideas, insights, and feedback. One practice that has helped me learn and evolve over the years is tracking and analyzing the outcomes of my decisions. This is not about dwelling on mistakes but about accountability, continuous improvement, and leading with intention. I started this as a mid-level manager, thanks to a great boss who taught me how to balance data and instincts—a critical skill to have when you need to make a decision urgently in the absence of a complete set of facts. He coached me to start recording my gut instincts whenever I had to make a decision. I would do a quick gut check and put that insight aside. I would then approach the decision analytically, weighing all the available data to make a determination. Over time, we’d compare the two approaches, tracking the success rate through the years. This practice has stayed with me—in fact, I’m still tracking business decisions I made in Southeast Europe, Germany, and Southeast Asia over the years! As importantly, I track the successful careers of employees I hired, coached, and promoted. This is not only a useful learning exercise of what worked and what didn’t, but also a wonderful way to celebrate the success of others. What are some practices that help you continuously learn and grow? #Leadership #Development #Curiosity #ContinuousLearning #DecisionMaking

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?

A recent conversation with a mentee trying to navigate the next steps in their career reminded me of an essential rule I always emphasize: You own your career, therefore you have to be in the driver's seat. They recently received some feedback from their manager that was confusing as it didn’t align with previous feedback. The conversation on next steps was very vague. Reality check: waiting for clear guidance or validation from others can leave you stuck in neutral. Instead, you must proactively manage your own career path. Here are a few things I suggested: 1. Do a Self-Assessment You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and career aspirations. Identify what excites you and where you see yourself in the future. Remember they can all change due to new experiences and gaining new skillsets. 2. Seek Constructive Feedback While feedback from leadership is valuable, it’s important to triangulate. Reach out to mentors, peers, and others in your function that you admire for their insights. Feedback is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it as a tool for improvement, not as a definitive roadmap. You never know when you might run into an unconscious bias. 3. Continuous Learning and Development I’m ever curious and always looking for learning opportunities. Look for opportunities to learn from other functions. The business world is continusly changing, and staying on top of the game, requires investing time to learn. Stay informed about your current industry trends but also look for best practices in others. 4. Advocate for Yourself People can’t read your mind, so they don’t know what your career goals and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to articulate them to your leadership. Express your interest in new projects, responsibilities, or roles that align with your goals. 5. Adaptability and Resilience Career paths are rarely linear. My own has been a lattice. Be adaptable. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning experiences. Being in the driver's seat of your career means taking an intentional role in your professional development. While others can give you guidance, the ultimate responsibility for your career lies with you. What else would you tell him?

Gaining experience is necessary for career development and can be done in various ways WITHOUT pursuing another degree. . . . Here are a few ways I have gained experience throughout my career: 👉🏾 Internships offer hands-on experience in a specific field or industry. They provide an opportunity for practical application, learning from professionals, and building your network. 👉🏾 Volunteering allows you to contribute your skills and time to meaningful causes while gaining valuable experience. Seek out volunteer opportunities in organizations or projects aligned with your career goals. This can help you develop new skills, expand your network, and demonstrate your dedication and commitment to potential employers. 👉🏾 Joining professional associations and attending industry-related events, conferences, and workshops. Participating in these events can provide opportunities to learn from experts, gain insights into industry trends, and potentially find mentors or job opportunities. 👉🏾 Completing relevant courses and obtaining certifications can enhance your knowledge and skills in specific areas and can demonstrate your commitment to learning and staying updated in your field. 👉🏾 Consider starting a side business or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in line with your interests or skills. This allows you to gain firsthand experience in various aspects of business and it also showcases your initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. 👉🏾 Seek opportunities within your current workplace to collaborate on cross-functional projects or request a job rotation. Participating in different projects or roles exposes you to different aspects of the business and allows you to broaden your skill set and knowledge. 👉🏾 Identify professionals in your field who can serve as mentors or arrange shadowing experiences. Mentors can provide guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career path. Shadowing allows you to observe and learn from professionals in action, gaining insights into their skills, decision-making processes, and industry dynamics. Remember, gaining experience is a continuous process, and it's important to actively seek opportunities, demonstrate initiative, and make the most of the resources available to you. By taking proactive steps to gain experience, you can strengthen your skill set, expand your network, and position yourself for career growth. ✨

The Power of a Beginner's Mindset in a Fast-Paced World We all realize that the knowledge and expertise we hold dear today may become obsolete tomorrow. I've found embracing a beginner's mindset increasingly valuable in both personal growth and professional development. A beginner's mindset urges us to remain curious and open, much like a novice stepping into a new field, eager to soak in every bit of knowledge. But how do we cultivate this mindset, especially when we're used to being the expert in the room? ⁉ Force Yourself into Situations Where You're Not the Expert Seek out environments where your expertise is not at the forefront. Already this year, I've joined a Mastermind group, participated in startup events, and engaged with our Fractional CMO community to push myself into places where boasting takes a back seat to curiosity. The focus shifts from showcasing what you know to expanding your understanding and perspective. 🤔 Be Incessantly Curious Curiosity is the fuel for learning. Asking questions not only opens doors to new knowledge but also encourages those around us to adopt a similar approach to learning and exploration. It's a habit that fosters an environment of continuous learning and growth. As a natural extrovert, I consciously try to hang back and ask questions vs assuming I know the answer. The results have been surprising. 🔭 Encourage a Culture of Inquiry and Experimentation Those who experiment (vs know the answer) are the ones who lead the way in discovering new paths to success. In interviews, team meetings, and everyday interactions, encourage the asking of questions. Seek to understand the 'why' behind processes and decisions. This culture of inquiry is pivotal for innovation. I have changed the questions I ask during interviews to look for experimenters. 💡 Accept the Fluidity of Knowledge What we know to be true today may not hold tomorrow. Accepting that knowledge is fluid and that change is constant allows us to remain agile and adaptable. It prepares us to pivot when necessary and to embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm rather than reluctance. I'm always looking for what is changing, and what assumptions I should be questioning. What are you doing today to keep your beginner's mindset? #growthmindset #professionaldevelopment #curiousity #ceomindset