VantageShift Insights

“I keep getting contacted by recruiters for a type of role that I don’t want.”   I was talking with a client who was frustrated that they had a different path in mind but were stymied in how to get there. They were successful in getting critical first conversations, but they weren’t getting the kind of first conversation they wanted.   In my coaching practice, I work with clients who want to alter their career trajectory. Sometimes they want to do something that’s radically d

Getting the information you need without putting people on the defensive Asking questions is a great way to learn. If you’re leading a team, you’ll want to ask and listen more than talk.   But are you asking questions in a way that is making your team members clam up?   Having worked in Silicon Valley for most of my career, I can attest to how much people here value open communication. Many books have been written about it, people are praised for it, some have built careers o

As a leader, you have the immense task of helping your team cope during times of uncertainty and seemingly constant bad news. You have to keep yourself and your team moving forward to reach your goals. Simply trying to plod your way through may have worked for a while, but now it seems impossible.   What are your team members going through?   It’s very likely that you’re working with a team that is:   Distracted The constant input can feel a bit like multiple people are yelli

I was recently surprised and honored to be recognized with the Inspiration Award at the Women's Networking Alliance (WNA) Bravo Awards. This award is given to the member whose actions clearly inspire the group to grow by providing and recommending ideas, lessons, and educational opportunities. It’s voted on by my fellow chapter members. It’s both thrilling and humbling to realize that this group of tremendously accomplished women find me inspirational. My WNA chapter has been

Even when you think you’re communicating clearly and proactively, providing key information, adjusting to the corporate shifts, and are prioritizing what your manager needs, conflict can still arise.   When you and your manager have a different understanding of expectations, you will have to navigate difficult conversations.   What’s Behind the Differences First, there are the assumptions. Your manager may be making assumptions about your or your team’s capabilities. You may

Learning is a huge part of my life. I relish the challenge of mastering new skills. Multiple times throughout my career, I purposely chose to pursue roles in areas that I hadn't worked in before or where I could apply my skills in new ways. I have degrees in very different courses of study and tested my mastery of new disciplines by earning certifications. So, when the opportunity to learn even more presented itself, I didn't hesitate to take it. Continuous learning is an imp

Setting Clear Expectations Are you sure you’re on the same page as your manager? Part of managing up is ensuring expectations are clear. How can you accomplish this? Here are a few strategies that you can employ: Communicate proactively. Schedule regular check-ins and ask your manager clarifying questions such as, “What does success looks like for you this quarter/year?” or “How will you measure my performance?” Also ask questions that surface the ‘why’ behind any direction

Do you feel like your manager has unrealistic expectations for you?   Most managers don’t receive much training, if any. The lack of training could lead to difficulty articulating clear expectations or to a lack of awareness of how their expectations are received and even whether they’re realistic.   Your manager also must manage up and may be struggling with outsized expectations and pressures themselves. Many people in that situation will pass on pressure rather than try to

Is the thought of transforming your career a little scary? Career transformation is all about having the courage to step into the unknown, to get a little uncomfortable, to challenge yourself. Building the courage to make your desired career change starts with being open to the possibilities. The chance to make a change occasionally lands in your lap unexpectedly. If you’re open to the possibilities, then you will recognize it and perhaps even be ready to take that leap. But

You want to be the one everyone listens to at work. You've honed key skills and have enviable experience in important functions. But have you become a solid performer who stays in your own lane? Or are you affecting ways of working and norms across the organization? True leadership means extending your influence beyond your immediate team and across organizational boundaries. As a leader, your main goal should not be simply to manage to KPIs, but to shape your organization’s

Change is inevitable and it presents opportunities for growth, reinvention, and renewed purpose. Vantageshift and Suzanne ElNaggar, CEO,...