𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧? 𝙒𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣? 𝙄𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙬?

I have spoken with over 800 IT Leaders who have answered 𝙔𝙀𝙎 to these questions.

Also risking (or having experienced) burnout as a result.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

By leading yourself to the best of your ability, you will find more clarity and fulfillment in your life and career, earn the $$$ you deserve, as well as increase your influence and leadership with others.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦

❌ 60% of people dislike their job according to Gallup
❌ 75% of people are not confident about their career path in their organization according to Gartner
❌ 63% of employees experienced burnout according to an Asana Study

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠

✅ Get Clarity on your career path for more money and fulfillment
✅ Perform at a higher level and get noticed for your results
✅ Increase your leadership skills and influence
✅ Build a personal brand to access the hidden job market
✅ Find a healthy balance to enjoy life with those that matter most

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗘 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦

The VMAP framework, is proven to help IT Leaders get results in less than 90 days. 


𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗪𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 

If you are an IT professional looking for career clarity, more fulfillment, better pay and want to increase your leadership and influence, then this program is the right fit for you. 

𝗜𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨, 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝟮 𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐖𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔:

1️⃣ - DM me personally. I'm happy to chat about what your best next steps should be.
2️⃣ - Book a free clarity call with Adam to learn about the program: https://calendly.com/adamscott-coaching/clarity-call

Adam Scott

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻.
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲. 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆. 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁.

Most tech professionals are wired to get it right the first time. 
Precision. Perfection. Clean execution.

But growth is rarely clean at the start.

Whether you're leading teams or still on the tools, the path to progress is messy.

Mistakes happen. 
Adjustments are made. 
That’s how systems improve.

Build your career with intention and it gets: 
Sharper. Stronger. More efficient.

You don’t build momentum in 2026 by playing it safe. 
Not by adding more. 
Not by waiting for perfect. 

But by taking action, and cutting what’s slowing you down.

Because mature systems aren’t built by doing everything. 
They’re built by doing the right things - better.

Ready to simplify your next move? 
Send me a DM for a chat.

--------------------------------------------

#TechLeadership #SystemThinking #StrategicGrowth #ITCareers #EngineeringLeadership #RefactorYourCareer #SimplifyToScale #LeadershipInTech

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Helping IT LEADERS Get Promoted | Career Coach | Gain Career Clarity | Get Paid Your Worth | Increase Your Confidence | Questions? DM Anytime.

𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁. 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘆. 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿.

I talk to a lot of mid-career IT professionals who secretly think they’re falling behind.

Why?

Because they’re exhausted, but feel like they’ve “got nothing to show for it.”

But here’s what’s really happening:

→ You’re running full-speed on low-visibility tasks 
→ You’re maintaining systems that no one notices unless they break 
→ You’re stuck fixing things, not steering them

That’s not a motivation problem. 
That’s a misalignment problem.

You don’t need to hustle harder. 
You need to shift your energy toward the work that moves the needle.

Strategic visibility. 
Clear positioning. 

Owning your next step, before someone hands it to you.

You’re not falling behind. 
You’re just not playing the right game yet.

---------------------

#TechLeadership #ITCareers #EngineeringGrowth #BurnoutInTech

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Being good at your job can be a trap in disguise

If you’re in tech and feel like your work speaks for itself...

That may be your biggest career blind spot.

Here’s what I’ve seen over and over:

✅ You deliver. 
✅ You hit your deadlines. 
✅ You go above and beyond.

But...

You’re not recognised. 
You’re not considered for bigger roles. 
You’re not seen as a leader - just a solid doer.

Here’s why that happens:

· You don’t articulate your value

· You assume visibility equals politics

· You communicate progress, not impact

· You’re known for what you do, not what you can lead

And this is how smart IT pros get stuck.

How to fix it?

1. Track your wins -> quantify impact.

2. Tell better stories -> outcomes, not tasks.

3. Build your reputation -> decide what you want to be known for.

You can be exceptional at your craft and still be invisible.

The good news?

Visibility is a skill, and it can be learned.

If you want help building your positioning as an IT leader, send me a message,

I’ll send you my 2 minute assessment to showcase what’s needed.

---------------------

#TechLeadership #ITCareers #CareerGrowth #ExecutivePresence #ValueArticulation #CommunicationSkills #VisibilityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerVisibility #PersonalBranding

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𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 

You’re the person who knows the system back to front. 
The one they call when it’s on fire. 
The one who can solve anything. 

Let me be real with you: 

That won’t get you the leadership role. 

Tech expertise gets you recognised. 
Leadership potential gets you promoted. 

If you’re aiming for that next-level title: Manager, Head of, Director - it’s not about how deep your knowledge is anymore. 

It’s about how well you: 

🔹 Influence without authority 
🔹 Communicate with stakeholders 
🔹 Elevate others, not just do it all yourself 
🔹 Align your work with business outcomes 
🔹 Show up with presence, not just solutions 

I’ve seen so many IT pros miss out on the next role not because they lacked skill... 

...but because they didn’t shift their positioning. 

You have to start leading before you get the title. 

And that starts with how you think, how you speak, and how you show up in the room. 

If you're in this space right now and stuck as a ;technical expert’ send me a DM – lets talk. 

---------------------------

#TechLeadership #ITCareers #CareerGrowth #LeadWithoutTitle #PositioningMatters #LeadershipDevelopment 

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𝗪𝗘'𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 - 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 

Odds are this role isn’t for you.

But if you're a seasoned IT pro (with leadership or mentoring experience) with a fire to lead others,

read on - because this could be your dream job.

After 17+ years in IT and cybersecurity, I built a coaching business helping IT leaders get promoted, get paid what they’re worth, and lead with purpose.


Now?
We’re growing fast - and I’m looking for someone to grow with us.

 The Role: Part-Time Point Coach (with Full-Time Potential)

You’ll work directly with me and our ops lead to coach IT professionals through powerful career shifts.

This is high-impact work - not for the faint-hearted.

You’ll:
✔️ Lead 1:1 coaching calls
✔️ Attend group sessions & track client results
✔️ Adapt our systems to fit real people
✔️ Support our community via text/whatsapp/email
✔️ Help people overcome doubt, stagnation & burnout

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱:

• 7+ years in IT and leadership or mentoring experience
• Obsession with personal growth
• Elite communication & listening skills
• The ability to learn fast and stay grounded
• Coachability. Hunger. Resilience. And serious heart.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗲𝘁:

• Mentorship directly from me (multi-6-figure coach, ex-Cyber Expert, NLP trained)
• Remote flexibility, 
• Flexible hours
•part-time work initially
•Performance-based pay
• A path to six figures and deep impact doing what you love

But be warned:

This isn’t a Mai Tai-on-the-beach gig.
We move fast. We show up without excuses.
We push for excellence - in ourselves and for our clients.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱?

Send your resume and a short cover letter with:
1. Why this role is interesting to you
2 Why you think you are a perfect fit.

𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁@𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆(𝗔𝗘𝗗𝗧).

And provide your phone contact details.

Tag someone if this calls their name.
DM me with questions.

Let’s build something game-changing.

- Adam 


#WereHiring #NowHiring #HiringAlert
#CoachingJobs #careercoaching #ITcareers #leadershipdevelopment

𝙎𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 “𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙” 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚.

→ Fear they’ll leave
→ Fear they won’t be happy
→ Fear that training them will be a waste of time

But here’s the thing:
Great people are being overlooked because of lazy assumptions.

When did “overqualified” become shorthand for:
“They’ll bail when something better comes along”?

That logic is flawed.
You don’t know people’s circumstances.
You don’t know what matters to them right now.
You don’t know why they want to work for you.

Alignment matters,
But having more skill than required doesn’t mean they’re not aligned.

Let’s call a spade a spade:
Being overqualified isn’t the issue. The assumptions are.

Am I missing something here?
Let me know in the comments, open to the discussion.

#ITCareers #TechHiring #Overqualified #CareerAlignment #HiringMindset #LeadershipInTech

End of Jan, no new job?

It’s probably not your age, your certs, or “the market”.

It’s the playbook you’re using.

In this edition of The IT Leaders Edge, I walk through:

1. Why more applications won’t fix your job search
2. 3 blockers that quietly keep good IT pros stuck
3. What to do differently over the next 6–12 weeks

If you’re done guessing, this one is for you.

The month flipped. Your situation didn’t. Back in December or early January, you might have told yourself: “I’ll have real momentum by the end of Jan.

Open article: End Of Jan, No New Job?
Why More Applications Won’t Fix It by Adam Scott • 5 min read

End Of Jan, No New Job?
Why More Applications Won’t Fix It

𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻? 

→ To speak up 
→ To make your next move 
→ To step into leadership

You reset the calendar, but are you still stuck in the same pattern?

IT professionals don’t usually lack ambition. They lack permission.

So they wait.

→ Wait for the right title 
→ Wait to be “tapped” for a role 
→ Wait for a manager to notice their value

But here’s the thing:

No one can greenlight your growth but you.

The people who move fastest in their careers?
They don’t wait for signs. 
They position themselves clearly. 
They lead without being asked. 
They make strategic moves-before they feel fully ready.

Stop overthinking it. 
You can just do things.

The longer you wait, the harder it gets. 
Start small. But start.

---------------------------

#TechLeadership #ITCareers #PositioningMatters #LeadYourCareer #MidCareerMoves #StrategicThinking #EngineeringLeadership

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New year, same job?
The calendar changed - Your role didn’t.

If you’re an experienced IT professional looking at 2026 thinking:
“I’ve outgrown this.”
“I’m still not where I thought I’d be.”
“If nothing changes, I already know how this year will feel”
…you’re not alone.

In the latest edition of The IT Leaders Edge I break down the 3 real paths you’re choosing from (whether you realise it or not):

1. Stay as-is
2. Stay and reshape
3. Leave and reposition

And more importantly – how to avoid another “copy-paste” year by choosing on purpose, not drifting.

Read the full edition here and decide which path you’re really on.

#itleadership #itcareers #careerstrategy #careergrowth #jobsearchtips #leadershipdevelopment #australiatech

The calendar changes. Your role doesn’t. You log back into the same systems, open the same tools, jump into the same types of meetings… and there’s th

New Year, Same Job?
How To Decide: Stay, Reshape Or Leave.

𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁?

Seriously - play it out:

· Laptop off.
· Access revoked.
· A polite goodbye.

Now what?

Would you:

- Know where to start? 
- Have relationships to lean on? 
- Know how to position yourself for the next opportunity?

Or would you scramble... update your resume... hope someone notices… and start the job board cycle all over again?

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

Most IT professionals are brilliant at delivery. But terrible at career strategy.

They coast until change is forced on them. Then they react, instead of respond.

Don’t wait until it’s urgent to get strategic.

The IT leaders I coach? They build a system before they need it:

✅ A strong personal brand 
✅ Clarity on their direction 
✅ A network they can activate 
✅ Messaging that makes them visible and valuable

If you don’t know your next move, now’s the time to figure it out — while you still have control.

DM me “STRATEGY” if this hit a nerve, and I’ll send you a free self-check-in I use with clients to assess how prepared you really are.

----------------------------

#ITLeadership #CareerStrategy #Layoffs #TechCareers #ExecutiveCoaching #BeReadyNotReactive #TechLeadership

No alternative text description for this image

𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗱-𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗧 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝘃𝗲 “𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.” 

- No promotions 
- No callbacks 
- No growth 

But what if the problem isn’t your skills or the market... 

...what if it’s just lack of clarity? 

 Most people in tech don’t have a career strategy. 
They’re not clear on where they want to go. 
Or how to position themselves to get there. 

So they: 

• Apply for random roles 
• Add another cert 
• Hope something changes 

That’s not a plan. That’s wishful thinking. 

The IT leaders I work with make real moves when they: 

✔ Get clear on their next step 
✔ Know how to talk about their value 
✔ Stop operating like job seekers, and start acting like leaders 

You’re not stuck. You’re just overdue for a better strategy. 

DM me and I’ll send you the same check-in I use with clients to get back in the driver’s seat. 

-------------------------

#TechCareers #CareerClarity #ITLeadership #JobSearchStrategy #CareerGrowth #ITPros #LeadershipDevelopment 

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𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀.

Everyone’s talking about 2026 goals. New certifications. New roles. New salary targets.

But before you stack more on your plate- You need to look at the system that got you here.

Ask yourself:

→ What actually worked last year? 
→ What drained me that I never want to repeat? 
→ What patterns kept showing up-despite good intentions?

Because clarity doesn’t come from wishlists. It comes from data.

Most IT professionals don’t need more ambition. They need a system that scales with them.

Before you charge ahead, take 20 minutes to look back. The insights are already there.

--------------------------------------

#ITCareers #TechLeadership #CareerClarity #EngineeringGrowth #IntentionalLeadership #MidCareerMoves #StrategicThinking

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It’s not the role holding you back.
It’s the story you’re telling yourself.

“I want to step up.”
Then the opportunity comes...

And you:
- Hesitate
- Overthink
- Tell yourself: “Maybe I’m not ready yet.”

That voice in your head?
It’s not keeping you safe.
It’s keeping you stuck.

Understand:
You don’t stay stuck because of your skills.
Or your experience.
Or the market.

You stay stuck because of your story.

The one that whispers:
→ “What if I fail?”
→ “What if I get exposed?”
→ “What if I’m not actually that good?”

This isn’t about capability.
It’s about identity.

When you’ve spent years working hard and staying behind the scenes, it’s easy to believe that’s where you belong.

But here's the reality:

You don’t move up when you 'feel ready.'
You move up by behaving like you belong.

That shift starts before the offer.

-->In how you speak.
-->How you show up.
-->And how you tell your story.

Feeling that gap between wanting more and holding back?

DM me and I’ll share the framework I use with clients to bridge it.

No pitch. Just perspective.

#ITCareers #LeadershipMindset #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth #ImposterSyndrome

𝙋𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧..

One of the biggest myths in IT careers?


If I shift direction, I’ll have to start from scratch.
Not true.

You’re not throwing away years of experience.

You’re reframing it, so the market sees you in a new light.

A senior engineer to presales isn't leaving tech - they’re translating their experience to a new value narrative.

A tech lead moving to leadership doesn't need more certs, they’re upgrading how they show up.

Repositioning is not about starting from the bottom.

It’s about showing up differently at the level you’ve earned.

What holds most people back isn’t a lack of experience.

it’s the belief that they have to “earn it all over again.”
You don’t.

You just need to know how to position your story, your results, and your potential in the language of the role you want.

IF you are curious, lets chat.

I'll show you how to move forward without taking a step back.


#ITCareers #TechLeadership #Repositioning #CareerPivot #ITProfessionals #CareerGrowth #MidCareerMoves #StrategicPositioning

𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙄𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙀𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚

You’ve done everything by the book.

- Worked late
- Took on more projects
- Solved problems no one else could

But despite all that... you're still stuck.

-->No raise.
-->No promotion.
-->No recognition.

Here’s the new reality:

Hard work alone doesn’t create career growth.

In the IT world, you can become invisible, even while you're operating at 110%.

Why?

Because visibility, positioning, and strategic communication matter just as much as technical skill.

If you’re at that point where:
•You’ve hit a plateau 
• You're running out of steam 
• And you’re wondering, “What more can I do?”

Then it’s not about doing more.
It’s about doing different.

What helped my clients move past this?
→ Getting clear on what they want
→ Learning to communicate their value
→ And building a plan to move with purpose, — not just grind harder

If you’re tired of working harder with nothing to show for it, send me a DM - lets chat.

#ITCareers #TechLeadership #CareerPlateau #MidCareerGrowth #WorkingHard #CareerStrategy #ITPros #CareerDevelopment

𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻. 
I learned that the hard way. 

I spent 4 years at a company working 70-hour weeks. 
Always “on.” 
Always fixing something. 
Always chasing my tail. 

I thought I was making progress. 

But when the reorg came? 
I didn’t get a promotion. 
I didn’t get a seat at the table. 
I got a redundancy. 

And that hit me. 

It wasn’t about how hard I worked. 
It was about how strategically I moved. 

No one knew the hours I put in. 
No one saw the impact. 
Because I didn’t make it visible. 

That experience taught me 3 things: 

→ Be clear on what you want. 
→ Think strategically, not reactively. 
→ Build visibility with the right people, not just the busy work. 

If you're feeling stuck right now... 
Maybe you're not stuck at all. 
Maybe you're just overdue for a better plan. 
 
Send me a message if you relate to this, 

happy to share how I changed my career around. 

---------------------
#ITCareers #TechLeadership #StrategicThinking #ITProfessional #EngineeringLeadership

♻️ Reshare this if it resonates with you 
🗞️ Sign up to my newsletter for IT career insights

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱. 
Some start it still recovering from last year.

In tech, we tend to run hard - until something breaks. Deadlines, deliverables, 12-hour days... And then January arrives and we're expected to "reset."

But clarity doesn’t come from flipping a calendar. It comes from checking in - with yourself.

Where are you really at right now?

Vote below or drop a comment if none of these fit.

-------------------------------
#TechLeadership #ITCareers #CareerClarity #ResetAndRefocus #EngineeringLife #MindsetMatters #ITPros

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 

It’s easy to gt caught up in the certification trap. 

Thinking more certs means you are moving ahead. 

But Certifications don’t guarantee career growth. 

I speak to IT professionals all the time who’ve got: 

✔ AWS 
✔ Azure 
✔ ITIL 
✔ PMP 
✔ Cyber, DevOps, Data... you name it. 

And still - they’re stuck. 
No callbacks. No leadership opportunities. 
No significant raise. 

Why? 

Because they focused only on stacking qualifications... 
But never clarified the strategy behind their career moves. 

What most IT pros don’t realise:

- Positioning > paper. 
- Strategy beats credentials , every time. 
- Who sees your value > how much you know. 

You can have 10+ certifications and still get overlooked. 

if you’re not visible. 

if you can’t clearly articulate your value. 
if your resume and interviews don’t tell the right story. 

Certs open doors but strategy gets you through them. 

If you're feeling stuck despite all the learning, it’s not a capability issue, it’s a clarity and positioning issue. 

DM me if you're tired of collecting certs with no results - and ready to get noticed for your value. 

-----------------------

#ITCareers #TechLeadership #Certifications #CareerGrowth #Positioning #ITStrategy #TechCareers #CareerCoaching 

♻️ Reshare this if it resonates with you 
🗞️ Sign up to my newsletter for IT career insights

Lead First. Title Follows.
Let's be honest:

You don’t get promoted and then start acting like a leader.

You act like a leader - and that’s what gets you promoted.

Most IT pros wait for recognition before they step up.

But the ones who accelerate their careers?

-->They take ownership before it's asked.
-->They drive impact beyond their job description.
-->They build trust without needing the title.

 Leaders aren't appointed. They’re observed.

And what decision-makers are watching for isn't just technical skill ,it's:
• Strategic thinking
• Calm under pressure
• Communication across functions
• Influence without authority
• Visibility without ego

This shift is what fast-tracks careers.

It’s not about waiting your turn.

It’s about earning trust, building visibility, and creating pull, so the next move becomes inevitable.

𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩? - 

DM me and I’ll tell you about the 4 pillar framework I use that gets my clients noticed.

#TechLeadership #ITCareers #LeadershipMindset #CareerGrowth #ITProfessionals #PromotionStrategy #LeadWithoutTitle #CareerDevelopment

The skills that get talked about, 
aren’t always the ones that make you successful. 
 
In tech, we celebrate deep expertise. 
 
But the things that often move your career forward? 
They rarely get the spotlight 

I've coached senior IT pros who were: 
✅ Brilliant technically 
✅ Respected by their team 
❌ Still overlooked for leadership roles 

Why? 
Because the real career skills aren’t just technical. 

They’re the ones that help you navigate people, politics, and change - even when it’s uncomfortable. 

Which skill do you think is most underrated? 

If there’s another one to add – drop it in the comments.

What’s the most underrated career skill?

Ghostwriter & Messaging Strategist helping leaders achieve 70% opt-ins with a Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to build trust and convert hesitant prospects into eager customers.

Most businesses struggle to convert leads because they rely on forgettable downloads and meaningless discounts that fail to create an emotional connection. 

Prospects don't just need information, they need to feel valued, to trust you, and to experience genuine engagement. 

That's why I created the concept of the Microstory Journey, a 5-day emotional experience that uses the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to touch hearts, build authentic connections, and establish unshakable trust, turning hesitant prospects into eager customers ready to take action.

AWAI Verified Copywriter
Case Studies Certification
Sales Enablement Certification

WRITING SERVICES I PROVIDE:

📨 5-Day Education Email Courses
💲 Ghostwriting on Social Media Platforms
📰  Newsletters
🌐   Web Content
✍️   Blog Posting
📧   Email Marketing
🛒   Sales Pages
📱   Facebook/Google Ads 

WHOM I WORK WITH: I help executives, CEOs, founders, & coaches.

3 Simple Steps to Powerful Messaging
1. Define your goals and messaging. 
2. Develop a customized storytelling strategy. 
3. Execute and refine messaging for maximum impact.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Email me at mike@mikehays.net OR
Book a call with me at https://calendly.com/ask-mikehays

Mike Hays

Stop Saying 'Should.' 

It's Killing Your Progress.

"I should prospect more." 
"I should post on LinkedIn." 
"I should work out."

Yet nothing changes. The list grows longer while your results stay flat.

Here's what actually happens when you 
replace "should" with different language:

Scenario 1: Your prospecting goal.

↳Old language:
"I should reach out to five prospects today."
Then guilt when you don't. Repeat tomorrow.

↳New language:
"I'm reaching out to five prospects today."
Or admit: "I'm choosing not to prioritize this right now."

↳Result: You either act or you own the choice. No guilt loop.

Scenario 2: Your content creation.

↳Old language:
"I should post three times this week."
Followed by excuses about time, perfectionism, fear.

↳New language:
"I must post three times this week to build my authority."
Or: 
"I'm not ready to commit to this yet."

↳Result: Clarity replaces confusion. Action replaces avoidance.

Scenario 3: Your personal commitments.

↳Old language:
"I should work out tomorrow morning."
Then snooze the alarm. Feel terrible. Repeat.

↳New language:
"I will work out tomorrow at 6 AM."
Or: "I'm prioritizing sleep over exercise right now."

↳Result: You honor your decision either way.

"Should" is the language of obligation without commitment.

It keeps you stuck in a cycle of intention without execution.

When you eliminate "should" from your vocabulary, 
you force yourself to either commit or let go.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Mike  Hays

Messaging Strategist & Ghostwriter for Leaders - I help you turn short stories into trust, influence, and premium clients with my Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint.

You know exactly what you need to do.
But you're still not doing it.

Here's why:

Your brain isn't lazy.
It's just running a calculation you don't see.

Every decision comes down to emotional math:
↳ Pain of taking action vs. pain of staying stuck
↳ Whichever feels heavier wins

I used to think I lacked discipline.

Turns out, I'd just linked massive pain to starting:
- Anxiety about failing publicly
- Worry about wasting time
- Fear of looking stupid

Meanwhile, staying stuck felt... safe.

Uncomfortable, sure. But familiar.

The shift happened when I realized:
Inaction has a cost too.

It's just quieter.
More gradual.
Easier to ignore.

So I started asking myself:

"What's the real pain I'm avoiding here?"

Usually, it wasn't the work itself.

It was the vulnerability. The visibility.

The possibility of being wrong.

Once I named it, the math changed.

Taking action became less scary than staying invisible.

Here's what I realized:
You're not avoiding action because you're broken.

You're avoiding it because right now, it feels riskier than standing still.

What pain have you been avoiding by not taking action?

Follow Mike Hays  for insights on doing the work that matters

How To Get Complainers to Stop Complaining
Without Losing Your Mind.

You enabled the complaining the moment you 
started validating every grievance.

And now you're stuck in an endless loop of 
negativity instead of progress.

But here's what most people miss - 
stopping complainers isn't about dismissing their concerns.

It's about redirecting their energy strategically.

Here's what's really happening:
↳ Your empathy becomes their permission to continue
↳ Chronic complainers seek attention, not solutions
↳ They control the conversation through negativity

Here's how to break the pattern:

1. Acknowledge Once, Then Pivot

↳ Validate briefly, then shift to action
↳ Don't get trapped in the complaint cycle
↳ "I understand. What's one thing you can control here?"

2. Ask Solution-Focused Questions

↳ "What would make this situation better?"
↳ Move them from problem to possibility
↳ Force their brain to think differently

3. Set Boundaries Early

↳ Be clear about your role
↳ People respect confident limits
↳ Define what conversations you'll engage in

4. Model the Energy You Want

↳ Stay solution-oriented in your responses
↳ Your tone sets the standard
↳ Don't match their negativity

What Most People Are Overlooking:
Everyone can listen.
Everyone can sympathize.
But only leaders can transform complainers into problem-solvers.

Quick Question:

When was the last time you got stuck in someone's complaint spiral?

How did you handle it?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication strategies.

They make it look so effortless.

That's what people say when they see polished work.

But here's what they don't see the invisible architecture behind it.

I used to think making work look easy meant hiding the effort.

The late nights.
The revisions.
The moments of doubt.

But the more I refined my process, the more one truth became obvious:

Work doesn't look easy because you hide the struggle.

It looks easy because you've done the hard work 
so many times that it becomes second nature.

And there are only two approaches to this:

The exhausting way
→ Reinventing the wheel every time
→ Burning out to meet deadlines
→ Starting from scratch repeatedly
→ No systems or frameworks
→ Relying purely on inspiration



The strategic way
→ Learning from past projects
→ Refining with each iteration
→ Making complexity invisible
→ Building repeatable processes
→ Creating templates and frameworks

One drains your energy.
The other multiplies your impact.

The best professionals aren't naturally gifted
they're systematically prepared.

They know that mastery isn't about working harder.

It's about working smarter until the complex becomes simple.

They've failed enough times to know what works.
They've refined their approach until it flows.

Not to show off.

But to deliver consistent excellence without the chaos.

Making work look easy isn't about pretending it's effortless.

It's about doing the behind-the-scenes work so well that others only see the result.

When you build the right systems, excellence becomes your baseline.

What's one process you've refined that now feels effortless?

Follow Mike Hays for more insights on strategic communication.

"Quick question" is never actually quick.

Feel That Stomach Drop?

I used to think it was just me.
Then, one day, I realized something:

"Those two words trigger an instant physical reaction."

I wondered why my stomach tightened every time I heard it.

It's always said like it's small. Casual. Friendly.
But the second you hear it, your body knows better.

Because "quick question" doesn't mean a question.

It made perfect sense to me.

It means a conversation.
With follow-ups. And feelings.

It's the verbal equivalent of: "We need to talk."

That pause you feel in your soul? You're not imagining it.

Here's what I learned about "quick question":
- Your stomach knows before your brain does
- Recognition beats explanation every time
- The tone is casual, the stakes are not
- It always leads somewhere bigger
- It's never one question

So here's my takeaway for anyone who's felt that tightness:

You're not overthinking it.
You're reading the room correctly.

Comment: "I've heard this one," and I'll share
the follow-up script that names what happens next.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

What's Controlling Your Life Right Now?
It's Not What You Think.

(And it's definitely not your circumstances)

Most people believe their life is shaped by what happens to them.
But here's the truth I've learned:

↳ Your decisions create your reality, not your conditions.

There are three decisions driving everything in your life right now:

1. What You Choose to Focus On

↳ Your focus determines your experience
↳ Not what's happening around you
↳ But where you direct your attention

2. Your Emotional State

↳ Your emotions shape your actions
↳ Your state creates your outcomes
↳ You can change how you feel in any moment

3. Your Blueprint

↳ The standards you've set for yourself
↳ What you believe you deserve
↳ These are your expectations

Here's What Most People Miss:

↳ They wait for conditions to improve
↳ They blame circumstances for their results
↳ They give their power away to external factors

The Real Shift Happens When:

↳ You rewrite your blueprint
↳ You realize you control your focus
↳ You take ownership of your emotional state

Your life doesn't transform when you get the promotion, 
find the relationship, or hit the income goal.

It transforms the moment you decide differently.

When you stop waiting for permission from your 
circumstances and start making different 
decisions, everything changes.

So here's my question for you:

Which of these three decisions do you need 
to take back control of today?

Follow Mike Hays  for more insights on intentional living

Fear Will Move You Forward 

But It Will Never Set You Free.

I've been thinking about what really drives most of us.

Here's what I've noticed:
Fear is the default setting.

Fear of failing. Fear of being judged. Fear of not measuring up.
It's exhausting, and it keeps you stuck in reaction mode.

Here's what I've learned:
• Both create movement, but only one creates freedom
• Fear pushes you away from what you don't want
• Vision pulls you toward what you do want
• Vision gives you energy; fear drains it

The shift happens when you stop running from 
something and start moving toward something.

When I switched from "I can't mess this up" to 
"I'm building something meaningful." 
Everything changed.

The work felt different. The decisions became clearer.

The pressure turned into possibility.

Fear will always be there, that's normal.
But it doesn't have to be in the driver's seat.

So ask yourself

What would you create if fear weren't calling the shots?

What vision would pull you forward if you let it?

Drop a comment or send me a DM
 I'd love to hear what drives you.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Ever replay one harsh comment all day?

I do.

Someone once told me my work "lacked depth."
Not in a meeting. Not with context.
Just a quick message, then silence.

I couldn't shake it.

I replayed it during lunch.
During my next call.
Even while brushing my teeth that night.

The comment wasn't even detailed.
But my brain filled in the gaps with worst-case scenarios.

Here's what I learned:

Our minds magnify criticism.
→ One negative comment outweighs ten compliments
→ We loop it, dissect it, personalize it
→ It becomes louder than reality

But here's the shift:

That comment forced me to ask better questions.
Not "Am I good enough?"
But "What specifically can I improve?"

I reached out. Got clarity. Made changes.
The work got stronger.

Harsh comments sting because they touch something real.
The goal isn't to ignore them.
It's to separate the noise from the signal, fast.

Because replaying it won't help.
But responding to it will.

What's one comment that pushed you to level up?

🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more leadership strategies

You're watching the wrong thing during presentations.

The Signal That Tells You 10× More

That's what I realized after years of watching presentations.

But here's what most presenters miss:

The slides don't tell you if your message is landing.

The faces do.

People think I'm weird for watching faces instead of slides.

I used to obsess over perfecting every bullet point.
Tweaking fonts.
Rehearsing transitions.
Making sure the data looked flawless.

But the more presentations I attended, the clearer one truth became:

Your audience's reaction matters more than your content.

And there are only two ways to present:

The oblivious way
→ Never checking for understanding
→ Finishing on schedule regardless
→ Reading bullet points verbatim
→ Ignoring confused expressions
→ Staring at your own slides

The adaptive way
→ Reading the room constantly
→ Noticing when energy drops
→ Responding to nonverbal feedback
→ Pausing when faces show confusion
→ Adjusting pace based on engagement

One delivers information.
The other creates connection.

The best presenters aren't just speakers, they're observers.

They know a furrowed brow means "slow down."
They see glazed eyes and shift tactics immediately.

Not because they're mind readers.

But because they prioritize resonance over rehearsal.

Watching faces isn't weird.

It's the difference between presenting at people and communicating with them.

Your slides support your message, but faces reveal if it's working.

What do you pay attention to during presentations?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Marketing isn't about volume.

It's about clarity.

We often assume more content equals more attention.
But in real business, especially when competing for seconds
positioning shows up in much quieter ways.

I started paying attention to the brands that 
consistently cut through the noise.

↳ They simply knew exactly why they mattered.
↳ They weren't everywhere.
↳ They weren't louder.

And once you notice it, you can't unsee it.

Most entrepreneurs skip the critical step:
Defining what makes them irreplaceable.

They plunge into content, ads, and campaigns
but struggle to explain their unique value in a single sentence.

The assumptions?

↳ "Our product speaks for itself."
↳ "We'll figure it out as we grow."
↳ "People will understand what makes us special."

But without clarity, your message gets lost
and your budget gets burned.

Three truths about positioning in the attention economy:

1. If you can't explain your edge clearly, 
don't expect your audience to figure it out.

2. You're not competing for market share.
You're competing for milliseconds of attention.

3. Vague positioning doesn't win that battle.

Here's what sets standout brands apart:

↳ They lead with relevance.
↳ They craft messaging that cuts through noise.
↳ They anchor every campaign in a crystal-clear answer to: 
"Why should I care?"

Compare that to those stuck in generic slogans, 
feature lists, and "we're better" claims.

One approach resonates.
The other fades.

Before your next campaign, pause and ask:

What makes us the only choice for the right people?

Can you explain your unique value in 10 words or less?

Follow Mike Hays Mike Hays for more messaging insights.

How Saying Less Helped Me Hear More.

I've been guilty of this for years.

Nodding along while mentally rehearsing my response.

In meetings, I'd:
➤ Plan my counterpoint
➤ Wait for the pause
➤ Polish my story

I wasn't listening.
I was loading.

Then I realized something:

The people I trusted most never did this.
They asked follow-up questions I didn't expect.

So I changed my approach.

Instead of preparing what to say next, I started tracking:

• Where their energy shifted
• What they didn't say directly
• What they emphasized twice
• Questions that would go deeper

That's when conversations became different.

Because real listening isn't about silence.
It's about curiosity.

Stop rehearsing your brilliance.
Start discovering theirs.

The best responses come from what you actually heard, 
not what you planned to say.

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

5 massive communication shifts you'll see this year

Do you have the skills to stay ahead?

1. People are drowning in AI-generated content
In 2026, the volume of AI-produced text, images, 
emails, pitches, and posts will reach saturation.

 When everything starts to sound the same, human voices stand out.
 Real communication becomes a filter and a relief in a world of infinite noise.

2. Trust becomes the rarest commodity
In an AI-heavy world, human connection signals credibility.

Tone, pacing, hesitation, and enthusiasm 
these are trust cues that AI still struggles to replicate.

Voice becomes a verification layer.

When you hear someone speak, you hear intentions, 
emotions, and authenticity.

3. Quality and clarity beat quantity
AI makes it easy to produce more… but not necessarily to matter more.

Professionals who communicate with precision, empathy, and presence become more influential because their words carry weight, not volume.

The more automation grows, the more value we place on the craft of clear, thoughtful communication.

4. Technology is shifting us back to voice-by-default
Wearables, AR, ambient computing, and voice 
interfaces reduce typing friction.

Speaking becomes faster than writing.

And when people speak more, they connect more naturally.

5. Human connection becomes a competitive advantage
Teams that communicate well outperform those that don’t.
Sales calls convert better when there’s warmth.

Leaders who speak with clarity and energy build stronger followings.

In 2026, communication isn’t a soft skill it’s a differentiator.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication and leadership tips.

Introducing the Fishbowl Practice

The First Method That Neutralizes Criticism Anxiety

(The drill that builds emotional armor)

I help smart people stop talking like robots.
But here's what nobody tells you:

↳ The fear of criticism keeps you sterile.

My Fishbowl Practice changes that:

1. Write Your Worst Nightmares Down

↳ Every harsh comment you fear
↳ Every cruel judgment possible
↳ Drop them in a fishbowl

2. Pull One Daily

↳ Record your response on camera
↳ Just you and the discomfort
↳ No script, no safety net

3. Watch Your Transformation

↳ Week one: You'll stumble
↳ Week two: You'll find your voice
↳ Week three: You'll own your message

4. Build Resilience Through Repetition

↳ Criticism loses its power
↳ Your authentic voice emerges
↳ Confidence replaces performance anxiety

5. Turn It Into Content

↳ Your growth becomes your story
↳ Your vulnerability becomes your authority
↳ Your responses become YouTube Shorts

The Real Win:
When you can handle the fishbowl, real comments feel easy.

I'm starting this series next week.
Each episode: one comment, one raw response, zero editing.

Quick question:

What's the harshest comment you're afraid to receive?

⤵️ Drop it below
Follow Mike Hays for authentic communication strategies

"I wasn't ready for that."

We say it all the time.

But what does it really mean?

Most people think it's about surprise.
About being caught off guard.

But I've learned something different after years of working with leaders and founders.

"I wasn't ready for that" actually means three things:

↳ First: I didn't prepare mentally.
We knew it could happen, but we didn't visualize it. We didn't rehearse our response.

↳ Second: I underestimated the emotional weight.
Logic told us one thing. Reality hit differently. The gap between knowing and feeling is massive.

↳ Third: I didn't build the support system.
We tried to go it alone. No mentors. No peers who'd been there. No framework to lean on when it mattered.

Here's what I've noticed:

The leaders who say "I wasn't ready" the least aren't the ones who predict everything.

They're the ones who prepare differently.

They don't just plan for outcomes.
They prepare their mindset.
They build their network before they need it.
They create frameworks that work under pressure.

Being ready isn't about knowing what's coming.

It's about building the capacity to handle what you can't predict.

The next time you catch yourself saying "I wasn't ready for that," ask a better question:



🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more strategies on leadership and growth

Messaging Strategist & Ghostwriter for Leaders - I help you create instant credibility that gets replies, calls, and conversions with my Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint.

Have You Ever Won the Argument

But Lost Every Relationship in the Process?

Being right doesn't matter if nobody wants to work with you afterward.

Yet most of us prioritize correctness over connection every single time.

Here's what I've learned about the cost of being technically right:

Scenario 1:

You catch an error in someone's presentation.

↳Old approach:
Point it out immediately in front of everyone.
Make sure they know you spotted it first.

↳New approach:
Pause. Consider the setting.
Pull them aside later with a quiet heads-up.

↳Result: They fix the error and remember your respect.

Scenario 2: A team member suggests a flawed strategy.

↳Old approach:
Shut it down with data and logic.
Prove why it won't work, point by point.

↳New approach:
Ask questions that guide them to see the gaps themselves.
Let discovery replace demolition.

↳Result: They learn. They don't resent you for it.

Scenario 3: Someone challenges your expertise publicly.

↳Old approach:
Defend your credentials with force.
Make them feel small for questioning you.

↳New approach:
Acknowledge their perspective.
Share your reasoning without needing to dominate.

↳Result: The room sees your confidence and their dignity intact.

Being right with the wrong tone doesn't build influence.

It builds walls.

When you choose connection over correction, people actually hear you.

So here's what I'm asking myself now:
What's more valuable, winning the point or keeping the relationship?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

I blamed my audience for three years.
(they weren't the problem)

The silent killer in every conversation:

Clarity isn't what you say, it's what they understand.

My Wake-Up Call:

→ Perfect presentations
→ Detailed explanations
→ Logical frameworks
→ Zero conversions

I kept thinking:
"Why don't they get it?"

The Real Issue:
↳ I prioritized being right over being clear
↳ I explained features, not transformations
↳ I spoke my language, not theirs

Then I shifted everything:

New Approach:
↳ Watch their faces, not my slides
↳ Test every message with real people
↳ Ask "what did you hear?" not "did you understand?"

The Results:
↳ Clients repeating my message back perfectly
↳ Referrals using my exact words
↳ 3x higher engagement rates

The Truth:
If they didn't get it, your message failed - not them.

Quick Question:

When was the last time you tested your message before blaming your audience?

Struggling to capture attention in conversations?

Start with vulnerability.

I used to think I needed perfect stories to connect with people.
Then, one day, I realized something:

My mistakes were more interesting than my wins.

I wondered why some conversations felt flat while 
others sparked instant connection.

The difference wasn't polish or perfection,
it was honest, human moments that people could relate to.

It made perfect sense to me.

So, I started opening conversations differently.

Weeks went by.
And engagement transformed with every vulnerable opener.

Networking events? Deeper connections.
Client calls? Trust built faster than ever.

And because I led with authenticity,

I stopped trying to impress everyone
and started building real relationships that mattered.

Here's what I learned about conversation starters:
- "I regret this…" invites empathy immediately
- "Don't do what I did" positions you as a guide
- "This is embarrassing" breaks down walls instantly
- Vulnerability creates permission for others to open up
- People remember how you made them feel, not how perfect you sounded

So here's my takeaway for leaders and communicators:

Lead with your humanity
or keep having forgettable surface-level conversations.

Comment: "I lead with vulnerability," and I'll share my conversation framework for building instant trust.

I lost three "best friends" before I spotted the pattern.
(Now I see the red flags instantly)

The brutal reality about fake friendships:

They drain you slowly until there's nothing left.

Here are the 5 toxic behaviors I finally recognized:

1. The Scorekeeper

↳ Tracks every favor obsessively
↳ Reminds you what they've done
↳ Never celebrates your wins

2. The Ghost

↳ Vanishes when you need support
↳ Reappears when they want something
↳ Always "too busy" for your problems

3. The Competitor

↳ Turns everything into a contest
↳ Minimizes your achievements
↳ Can't handle your success

4. The Energy Vampire

↳ Every conversation drains you
↳ Only talks about their drama
↳ Never asks how you're doing

5. The Gossip

↳ Shares your secrets casually
↳ Talks behind everyone's back
↳ Creates unnecessary drama

Real friends show up consistently, celebrate 
genuinely, and protect your trust.

Quick Question:

Which toxic behavior have you experienced most?

Share your story below
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I shot 39 videos to get ONE right.

Was it worth it? Here's what I discovered.

Most creators say, "just hit record and post."
But after my marathon reshoot session, I learned:

↳ Perfectionism vs. progress is real.
Here's what I found on both sides:

The Pros:

Clarity improved dramatically
↳ By video 20, I knew exactly what to say
↳ Each take refined my message
↳ Confidence grew with repetition

Delivery became natural
↳ Eye contact felt genuine
↳ No more reading scripts robotically
↳ Energy levels peaked at the right moments

The Cons:

Time investment was massive
↳ Editing through 39 takes? No way, didn't do it!
↳ 3 hours for one 60-second video
↳ Diminishing returns after take 25

Overthinking killed spontaneity
↳ Started sounding too rehearsed
↳ Lost the raw, authentic moments
↳ Perfectionism became procrastination

The Key Insight:
↳ Beyond that? You're polishing, not improving.
↳ There's a sweet spot around 5-7 takes.
↳ Done beats perfect every single time.

My new rule:

Three takes maximum, then ship it.

What's your video recording process? One take or multiple?

Drop your number below
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If you can stay calm under fire,
you can turn any attack into authority...

I used to freeze when someone challenged me publicly.
My mind would race.
My words would fumble.
My credibility would crack.

It hit me during a live Q&A when someone called 
my approach "outdated." Not because they were right

But because I had no system to respond with confidence.

That was my wake-up call.

So I made a decision:
Train my comeback like a reflex.

Here's what actually helped me master the 10-second response:

✅ The Microstory Pivot: Answer with a quick personal example.
(Not a defense. A story that reframes the attack.)

✅ Fishbowl Practice: Write down harsh comments, pull one daily.
(10 seconds. Record it. Replay until it sounds human, not defensive.)

✅ Calm Before Clever: Pause, breathe, then speak.
(Rushed responses sound guilty. Calm ones sound certain.)

That combo flipped something inside me.

I started welcoming tough questions instead of avoiding them.

Handling criticism doesn't require perfect words.
It requires repeatable composure.

Build a process for staying grounded.
Practice responses before you need them.
Let your tone do more work than your argument.

If you wait to feel unshakable, you'll never speak up.
If you train your calm like a skill, you'll never crack.

Stop avoiding the hard questions.
Start rehearsing your response until confidence becomes automatic.

What's one rude comment you'll practice answering this week?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication strategies

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