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?

40+ Linkedin Money-Making-Influence Resources I Toxic Boss Immunity I Frequency of INFLUENCE: ETHICAL PERSUASION I $20k Brain-Based Sales System | HarvardX Neuroscience Research I Keynote 🎤 I X-Microsoft I Captain ⛵

$20k Monthly Brain Based Sales System Without Chasing the "Yes"

You know the feeling:
😳 Your brain lights up with “What if they think I’m pushy?” the second you open a DM.
😬 You’d rather post and pray the right people find you than risk being ghosted.
😅 You tell yourself that if you were really good, clients would just show up.

You don’t want to fake connection just to pitch.
You want sales that feels human. Real conversations, not pressure tactics.

You’re not bad at sales.
Your brain is just protecting you.

The amygdala flags rejection as danger.
Your prefrontal cortex freezes.
And boom hesitation, overthinking, silence.

That’s where my work comes in.
I teach the Neuroscience of No-Pressure Sales so you can sell with calm confidence instead of fear.

No scripts. No manipulation.
Just science, psychology, and simple tools to retrain your nervous system so selling feels natural again.

When your brain is relaxed, your authenticity returns.
You stop pitching and start connecting.
Outreach stops feeling like an intrusion and starts feeling like service.

This is sales made easy for coaches who hate selling.

✨ Ways to get started with me:

✅ If you're a coach DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a business owner DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a sales leader DM me "Butter"
✅ Attend my next workshop for FREE BRAIN BASED SALES SECRETS. https://forms.gle/HvTRDEZEuu7bgQEF8
✅ Subscribe to the Be Like Butter Bugle: Weekly brain hacks for resilience and influence. https://synaptic-solutions.kit.com/newsletter

Personal interests: 
- Captain ⛵️ 
- Recovering Sugar Addict 🍭 
- Trash TV consumer 🗑️

Sales Coach | Toxic Boss Coach | Neuroscience Coach | Executive Coach | Master Behavioral Strategist | Speaker | Advisor | Expert | 7 figures | Virtual Speaking | Sales Performance Brain Hacker | Mindset Coach I Corporate Trainer I Influence I Key Note Speaker

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀

Stop chasing success alone.

Every innovator who built something great had 1 thing in common

Connection
It’s not that creativity happens alone…
It’s that the brain creates better in connection.

The brain evolved to think with other brains.
When connection is present, threat detection quiets.

The amygdala relaxes.
The prefrontal cortex stays online.
That’s where creativity lives.

Connection increases neural synchrony.
Brains begin to align.
Ideas move faster.
Patterns emerge you can’t see solo.

Isolation does the opposite.
Thinking loops.
Risk tolerance drops.
Novelty dries up.

Creativity isn’t just about safety.
It’s about belonging.
Here’s how :

1️⃣ Think out loud with others
 Speaking activates more neural networks than silent thought.
 Shared dialogue creates neural synchrony,
 helping the brain integrate patterns it can’t access alone.
 Half-formed ideas are fuel, not flaws.

2️⃣ Build before you judge
 Evaluation triggers the amygdala.
 Threat shuts down the prefrontal cortex.
 Sequence matters: expand first, critique later.
 Flow requires a brain that isn’t defending itself.

3️⃣ Create spaces to explore, not perform
 Performance activates social threat circuitry.
 Play lowers cortisol and increases cognitive flexibility.
 A relaxed nervous system makes wider, more novel connections.

Innovation doesn’t come from brilliance.
It comes from brains that feel safe thinking together.

PS: Who do you think best with?

Want to get an article published in a big time magazine?
I'll give you the contact info for 150+ reporters for major publications +
A Custom Message so you can break the ice & establish a relationship. 
How to get it? Join --> https://lnkd.in/gbfNasyU

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

👉 Follow 🧠 Shannon for neuroscience-backed insights
♻️ Share this if you want to help others grow

This feels illegal.

I built a mobile app while sailing.

Out there, things get quiet.
No notifications fighting for attention.
No noise telling you who to be.

Just wind, water, and time to notice what’s inside.

That’s where the idea came from.

Not everyone can disappear onto a boat.
But everyone needs a way to reconnect with themselves
In a loud world that never shuts up.

So I opened Replit
and described an app idea I’d already been researching. 

How to connect with yourself in a tech heavy world using…
Guess what…yes, neuroscience. 
You guessed it. 

Replit turned that idea into a real mobile app.

A live phone preview appeared.
I played with it and iterated between tacks. 
A few messages later, the app matched the intention.

Calm.
Minimal.
Human.

No mobile frameworks.
No complicated setup.
No build headaches.

Replit handled the mobile stack…
the preview
and the path to publishing.

I focused on the part that mattered:
creating space for real connection.

That’s the point.

You don’t need to escape your life to feel grounded.
You can build tools that bring you back to yourself.
Right where you are.
Even in a noisy world.

If you’ve ever wanted to create an app without needing a team
(or a computer) 
NOW you can. 

Get the Replit app and build from anywhere.
YOUR $10 REPLIT CREDIT
https://lnkd.in/gSCu_9Tj

P.S. If I vanish for a few hours I’m probably publishing a new app between tacks. 

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

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for brain based peace and app building
♻️ Share to inspire someone who needs dev help without headache

It's not that you aren't creative...

It's that your brain doesn't get enough breathing room

When outcomes matter too much,
the nervous system shifts into protection.

Certainty over curiosity.
Efficiency over exploration.

The amygdala scans for mistakes.
The prefrontal cortex goes quiet.
Thinking narrows to what’s already proven.

That feels like a creativity problem.
It’s actually a safety problem.

Innovation doesn’t come from pushing harder.
It comes from widening the mental field.

Creative insight requires a brain
that isn’t bracing for consequences.

One that feels free to test, miss, and iterate
without immediate judgment.

That’s why pressure-heavy environments
produce more output…
and fewer breakthroughs.

Creativity is a state, not a talent.
Change the state and ideas follow.

Here’s how to heighten creativity on demand:

1/ Slow the body before you think
Creativity follows regulation.
Lengthen your exhale for 60 seconds before ideating.
A calmer nervous system reopens cognitive range.

2/ Create “low-stakes” thinking space
Tell your brain nothing here has to be right.
Set a 10-minute window for bad ideas only.
Permission removes the fear that blocks novelty.

3/ Shift environments, not effort
New inputs disrupt rigid patterns.
Walk. Change rooms. Look farther into the distance.
Movement and visual expansion spark new connections.

When the brain feels safe enough to explore,
it starts to play.
And play is where innovation lives.

PS: Which of these would change how you think the fastest?

Introducing Butterhood Connect:
Find your people - other entrepreneurs like yourself. 
PLUS...FREE content on:
- Craft content that converts
- Understand your ICP deeply
- Increase your cognitive flexibility
- DM to get in front of your prospect
 You don't have to do this alone. Join us FREE
https://lnkd.in/gqMj4Vfz

Video Credit: Unknown
---------------------------------------------------------------

👉 Follow Shannon for neuroscience-backed insights
♻️ Share this if you want to help others grow

Clarity doesn’t come from thinking harder

It comes from feeling safer.

When the brain senses pressure, it prepares to defend.
 
Attention narrows.
Options collapse.
The mind looks for certainty.

That state is efficient.
It’s not creative.

Innovation requires uncertainty tolerance.
That tolerance lives in the nervous system,
not the intellect.

When the parasympathetic nervous system activates,

✅ The body slows.
✅ The threat response stands down.
✅ The brain regains flexibility.

This is when perception widens.
Old assumptions loosen.

Problems reorganize themselves.
New pathways become visible.
Psychological safety is what allows this shift.

It tells the brain nothing bad will happen
if you explore a different angle.

Without safety, the brain repeats.
With safety, the brain imagines.

No regulation, no reframing.
No reframing, no innovation.

Here’s how to design for it:
1️⃣ Regulate before you reason
 Slowing the breath reduces neural noise.
 Clear thinking follows bodily calm.

2️⃣ Delay decisions during ideation
 Premature judgment triggers threat circuits.
 Time preserves creative flexibility.

3️⃣ Create private space to think freely
 Privacy lowers social evaluation.
 Safety expands possibility.

Breakthroughs come from a nervous system 
that feels safe enough
to see the problem differently.

PS: What helps your body settle fastest?

Join us for innovation --> https://lnkd.in/gbfNasyU

Video Credit: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------------
👉 Follow Shannon for neuroscience-backed insights
♻️ Share this if you want to help others grow

You’re not broken.

You're just not connected...

...in a way no one taught you to recognize.

We have more connection technology than ever.
Group chats. Slack threads. Social feeds.
Standing meetings. Faces everywhere.

You can be busy, productive, and surrounded by people
And still feel unseen, unfelt, and unsupported.

Modern life keeps the nervous system overstimulated.
Your brain is flooded with input, decisions,
and performance cues.

When that happens, the social brain goes offline.
You don’t lose the desire for connection.
You lose access to it.

So you adapt.

You stay functional instead of present.
You keep conversations light instead of real.
You handle things alone because it feels safer.
You tell yourself you’re “fine”
while feeling disconnected from yourself.

Over time, that state becomes your baseline.
And the most painful part?

You start to believe this is just how life is.
It’s not.

Disconnection isn’t a personality trait.
It’s a nervous system state.
And nervous system states can change.

Here’s what neuroscience shows actually helps.

1/ regulation comes before connection.
 When your system is overloaded,
 bonding chemistry can’t do its job.
 You don’t need better words.
 You need your body to feel safe enough
 to be real.

2/ small moments matter more
 than deep conversations.
 Eye contact that lasts a beat longer.
 A pause instead of rushing away.
 Naming what you notice
 instead of what sounds impressive.

3/ connection accelerates in the right environment.
Trying to heal disconnection alone
 keeps the brain in protection mode.
 Being around others doing hard inner work
 creates co-regulation.

Your nervous system learns:
“I don’t have to carry this by myself.”
That’s why community matters.

Not noisy.
Not performative.
Not networking.

But a grounded space of people 
reconnecting with themselves
and with others.

This is what I’m building.
A community for capable, thoughtful people
doing hard things
who don’t want to do them alone.

A place to regulate, reflect, and be real
without fixing yourself
or pretending you’re fine.

If you’ve felt alone in a world full of people,
it’s not because something is wrong with you.
It’s because your nervous system
hasn’t had the right conditions yet.

And you don’t have to create those alone.
If this resonated, the community is open
for people ready to reconnect with themselves and with others.

P.S. Where do you feel most disconnected right now?

Introducing Butterhood Connect:
Find your people - other entrepreneurs like yourself. 
PLUS...FREE content on:
- Craft content that converts
- Understand your ICP deeply
- Increase your cognitive flexibility
- DM to get in front of your prospect
 You don't have to do this alone. Join us FREE
https://lnkd.in/gqMj4Vfz

------------------------------------------------------------
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for brain-based connection
♻️ Share this with someone who might feel alone but never say it

It’s not that your team doesn't have new ideas…

It’s that they don’t feel safe enough to share them with you.

When people sense evaluation,
their nervous systems switch to self-protection.

😶‍🌫️ They edit.
😶‍🌫️ They hedge.
😶‍🌫️ They stick to what’s already approved.

That looks like alignment.
It’s actually inhibition.

Innovation requires exposure.
New ideas are, by definition, unproven.
And the brain treats being wrong like a social threat.

So the amygdala gets loud.
Risk tolerance drops.
Thinking narrows to what won’t get you in trouble.

That’s why teams with “high standards”
but low psychological safety
produce execution…
not breakthroughs.

Psychological safety isn’t about being nice.
It’s about creating conditions
where the prefrontal cortex stays online.

When people believe they won’t be punished
for experimenting,
their brains stay open.

They challenge assumptions.
They connect unlikely dots.
They surface problems early.

No safety, no innovation.
No innovation, no future edge.

If you want better ideas, don’t ask for more creativity.
Design environments where
people don’t have to protect themselves first.

PS: Where do you notice people holding back on your team?

Join the Butterhood Connect
- Get free resources and training on DMs
- Figure out your sales style
- Jumpstart your sales!
Build relationships with other entrepreneurs
You don't have to do this ALONE
https://lnkd.in/gbpNMdU6

Video Credit: Unknown

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

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♻️ Share this if you want to help others grow

Your CRM shows ACTIVITY.

It doesn't show REALITY.

Most managers think they understand their pipeline.
But they’re only seeing the version their reps feel comfortable sharing.

The CRM shows progress.
The reps show confidence.
The pipeline shows movement.

But underneath all of that
there’s hesitation, uncertainty, and doubt
that never makes it into the forecast.

And that’s the part that costs you.

Reps aren’t trying to mislead you.
They’re trying to look competent.
So they hold back the early warning signs.
They soften how shaky a deal feels.
They overstate buyer momentum.

They wait until a problem becomes undeniable
and by then
your quarter is already in danger.

That’s why so many leaders get blindsided.
Not because the deals are bad
but because the real signals were never visible.

A CRM tracks activity.
It doesn’t track conviction.
It doesn’t track buyer emotions.
It doesn’t track rep confidence.
It doesn’t track the energy of the deal
which is the part that collapses first.

SalesSage exposes that hidden layer.
It reveals where reps feel unsure.
It highlights deals that look fine on paper
but feel unstable underneath.
It identifies slipping belief before it becomes slipping revenue.
It gives you truth early
so you can fix the problem while there’s still time.

Leaders don’t need more data.
They need the truth behind the data.
That’s the gap SalesSage closes.

If you want to see what’s really happening
beneath the surface of your pipeline sign up
14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/

P.S. How was your Q4?

-----------------------------------------------------------------
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for brain based sales leadership
♻️ Share if you’ve ever been blindsided by a “healthy” deal that fell apart

You can’t fix a quarter your team’s afraid to talk about.

Your biggest revenue leak isn’t pipeline. It’s silence.

The worst part of running a sales team
is thinking you’re safe right before the quarter blows up.

Your CRM says you’re good.
Your reps say deals are “strong”.
Forecast looks clean.
You breathe for two seconds.

Then the quarter flips
and you’re standing there like
what the hell just happened?

Here’s the truth nobody wants to say:
Reps aren’t lying.
Their brains are.

People say things are fine when they’re overwhelmed.
They overestimate deals when they’re stressed.
They downplay risk when they don’t want to look behind.

So you get the truth only after it hits your number.
Sales Sage catches it earlier.

It spots confidence dips.
Avoidance patterns.
Dead deals dressed up as healthy ones.
Execution cracks that never show in a CRM.

Stuff reps don’t say out loud but absolutely tank a quarter.
If you’re tired of getting blindsided
by “everything looks good” data

P.S. What's your best closing line?

See the truth your reps won’t say out loud 
(before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/

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

♻️ Share if you’ve lived a surprise miss
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for brain based sales insights

Your pipeline isn’t lying. 

Your reps just don’t feel safe telling you the truth.

Managers think they know what’s in their pipeline.
But they only know what the CRM tells them.
And the CRM only tells them what reps feel safe enough to share.

You’re managing numbers you can’t trust.
Your pipeline looks clean.
Your reps sound confident.
Your CRM says things are “on track.”
But something feels off.

Deals stall quietly.
Momentum fades.
Forecasts slip.
And you don’t see it until it's too late.

Reps aren’t dishonest.
They’re human.
They soften risk.
They hide uncertainty.
They overstate momentum
because nobody wants to look unsure.

So you get blindsided.
Not by deals.
But by the emotional truth your CRM can’t capture.

This creates a silent threat inside every sales org.
You miss red flags early.
You lose weeks of runway.
You carry the blame for information
you never got soon enough.

The cost isn’t just deals.
It’s trust.
It’s team performance.
It’s the reputational hit when your forecast misses again.

SalesSage uncovers what’s really going on
Underneath the numbers.

It reads emotional signals your CRM can’t track.
It surfaces hesitation before it becomes a stall.
It identifies low conviction before it becomes a lost deal.
It reveals drift before it becomes a blown quarter.

No pressure on reps.
No interrogation.
Just a 10 minute pulse
that shows you the truth behind the pipeline.

If you want your pipeline to tell you what’s real
not what’s hopeful

Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/

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

➕ Follow Shannon for brain based sales leadership
♻️ Share if you’ve ever been blindsided by a “healthy” pipeline

Stop telling yourself that you're too busy to DM.

Stop telling yourself DMs are too pushy. 

DMs close sales. Period. 

Most people think outreach stalls
because they don’t know what to say.
That’s rarely true.

What’s actually happening is identity protection.
Your brain isn’t avoiding DMs to save time.
It’s protecting how you see yourself.

So you stay visible.
You post.
You wait.

And the conversations that move revenue never start.

When the nervous system flags selling as risk,
avoidance looks like strategy.

Weeks pass.
Opportunities decay.
Revenue becomes unpredictable.
That delay has a real cost.

Avoiding just 3–5 high-value messages a week
can quietly leave $15K–$100K per quarter on the table.

Not because you lack ability.
Because “selling” feels unsafe.

This is why scripts don’t stick.
Knowledge ≠ movement.

Insight shows up first.
Behavior only follows when the underlying pattern shifts.

That’s what Butterhood is for.
Not more information.
Not performance.
Not pressure.

It’s a place to notice friction in real time
and make small, deliberate moves
that change momentum.

Inside, we work on:
Why certain conversations stall even when you say the right thing
What makes outreach feel heavy and how to remove that friction
How to move conversations forward without forcing or performing
Installing a sales rhythm that feels stable instead of stressful

They’re ordered intentionally.
Each layer stabilizes the nervous system for the next.

If you’ve ever thought, “This makes sense…
so why am I not doing it yet?”

That’s the signal.
GET IN THE DMS.
Still resisting?
GET INTO THE BUTTERHOOD.

If you want influence that moves like butter 🧈
Join Butterhood → https://lnkd.in/gbfNasyU

BONUS: Want to get an article published in a big time magazine?
I'll give you the contact info for 150+ reporters for major publications +
A Custom Message so you can break the ice & establish a relationship. 
How to get it? Join --> https://lnkd.in/gbfNasyU

PS: Where do your conversations stall right now?

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

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♻️ Share this if you want to help someone move again

Why do you have that stupid look on your face?

A C-level executive asked me on my first day

I was sitting across his desk of my first big girl job
(Talk about an executive onboarding)
I was just 20 years old.

I remember freezing.
Not answering.
Just blinking.

I laughed it off and swallowed my pride. 

Meeting over.
But my body stayed locked.

Jaw tight.
Chest and body buzzing.
Mind replaying every word.

Later that day a coworker asked if I was okay.

I said yes.
I wasn’t lying on purpose.
I just didn’t know what “okay” even meant anymore.

That’s the problem with stress.
It normalizes.
Your nervous system adapts.
Your baseline quietly shifts.

You think its no big deal. 
I’m fine. 

Your body knows that you’re not.
For years, I relied on vibes.
Am I handling it or barely holding it together?

No data.
No baseline.
Just guessing.

That’s why I built a these resources
✅ An entire toxic boss armor system
✅ 25-question nervous system audit
✅ An app that helps you each step of the way

Not a personality quiz.
Not mindset fluff.

Actual signals of load, recovery,
and how close you are to the edge.

The site and app give you a real baseline.
Clear data.
Practical next steps.

You don’t need thicker skin.
You need awareness and a hand up. 

PS What's your worst toxic boss story?

https://lnkd.in/guRmdNEu

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

➕ Follow Shannon for brain-based tools 
♻️ Repost if someone you know is guessing too.

Why do you have that stupid look on your face

7 signs you're tough enough for your toxic boss...

without quitting your job.

Your nervous system has a baseline.
That baseline shapes how pressure lands.

Here are 7 signs you're tough enough:

1/ Your baseline state
 A system that rarely rests stays closer to threat.
 From that state, stress hits faster and harder.
 Do this: notice how you feel when you first wake up.
 Do this: schedule one daily pause with no objective.

2/ Continuous motion
 Moving task to task keeps activation high.
 The body never completes a stress cycle.
 Do this: insert a 2-minute pause between blocks.
 Do this: stand still and breathe before switching tasks.

3/ Mental load during “rest”
 A busy mind keeps the system activated.
 Physical stillness alone doesn’t equal recovery.
 Do this: notice if your mind stays busy at rest.
 Do this: gently bring attention to body sensations.

4/ Guilt around slowing down
 Guilt keeps the nervous system alert.
 Safety requires permission to stop.
 Do this: notice the urge to justify rest.
 Do this: remind yourself recovery supports performance.

5/ Morning and evening carryover
 Tension on waking signals unresolved load.
 Evening stress blocks downshifting.
 Do this: check your body before checking your phone.
 Do this: create a short shutdown ritual at night.

6/ Recovery timing
 Waiting for exhaustion delays regulation.
 Late recovery takes longer to work.
 Do this: rest before you feel depleted.
 Do this: add small resets throughout the day.

7/ Social threat sensitivity
 Overloaded systems struggle with power dynamics.
 Emotional range narrows under pressure.
 Do this: regulate before interactions, not after.
 Do this: widen awareness when tension rises.

This comes before any boss strategy.
Awareness of starting state is the first layer of immunity.

PS Which point showed you something you hadn’t noticed before?

Toxic Boss Immunity - 
Building a self-serve platform
To create a path to freedom where you call the shots, you're unshakable, you're influential, and free from anyone else’s control.
Get on the waitlist for FREE
https://lnkd.in/gGJYwXPa
OR
DM Me "Toxic Audit" for your own quick check

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♻️ Repost if someone you know is always “on.”

 7 signs you're tough enough for a toxic boss

Don't just pray for a job.

Pray for a leader, not a toxic boss. 

They say you leave your manager, not your job.
So. True. 

Culture lives in nervous systems.
Leaders set the baseline every day.
Teams regulate around that signal automatically.

Here are 5 signs of a great leader:

1/ Self-regulation
 A great leader notices their own stress.
 They slow down before they speak.
 The room settles when they enter.

A toxic leader brings unprocessed stress.
The room tightens immediately.

2/ Clarity under pressure
 A great leader keeps priorities stable.
 Expectations stay clear during chaos.
 Brains relax when rules do not shift.

A toxic leader changes direction emotionally.
The team scans moods instead of work.

3/ Pressure flows upward
 A great leader absorbs pressure from above.
 They filter noise before it hits the team.
 Focus stays intact.

A toxic leader pushes pressure downward.
Urgency spreads through the group.

4/ Recovery is allowed
 A great leader respects human limits.
 Pauses are normal and safe.
 Energy and thinking stay strong.

A toxic leader rewards constant output.
Rest feels risky or earned.

5/ Response over reaction
 A great leader pauses in conflict.
 Their nervous system stays online.
 Hard talks feel contained.

A toxic leader reacts emotionally.
Others mirror the instability.
Trust erodes quietly.

Leadership is not control.
It is regulation.

PS Which one of these have you felt?

Toxic Boss Immunity 
Building a self-serve platform
To create a path to freedom where you call the shots, you're unshakable, you're influential, and free from anyone else’s control.
Get on the waitlist for FREE
https://lnkd.in/gGJYwXPa

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

➕ Follow Shannon for brain-based leadership tools.
♻️ Repost if a leader you know needs this lens.

Behind every “I’m not qualified”

Is a future you haven’t met yet. 

I’m not technical.
I’ve never wanted to be “the code person.”
And honestly, that used to stop me.

Because most AI coding hype assumes
you already know what you’re doing.
Repos.
Installs.
Setup before you even start.

That’s where Replit felt different.
I stayed in the browser.
I described what I wanted in plain words.
And I watched a real app come to life.
Live.

I wasn’t struggling to learn syntax.
I was refining an idea using my own language. 

You grow by doing things you aren’t qualified to do yet.
Most people don’t fail because they can’t.

They stop because they tell themselves
“I’m not technical enough.”

I didn’t suddenly become technical.
The barrier just disappeared.

Replit handled the setup, hosting, and deployment.
I focused on what the app should feel like.
That’s the unlock.

If you already code,
pairing Replit with Claude Code accelerates shipping.
If you don’t,
Replit still lets you build something real.

No identity change required.

You don’t need permission.
You don’t need a team.
You don’t need to be “qualified” yet.
You just need to start.

P.S. What have you been waiting to build?

💡 $10 credit for Replit Core users —>
https://lnkd.in/gSCu_9Tj

P.P.S. If you’ve been telling yourself “I’m not ready for that yet,”
THIS IS YOUR SIGN

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

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♻️ Share to inspire someone who’s doubting their fire

The way to get clients on Linkedin is this...

Understand the inner thoughts of your ICP

Most people study their ICP on the surface.
Top sellers study how their ICP thinks.

If you want to sell on LinkedIn,
you have to know what your ICP is actually worried about,
not what they pretend to care about.

Here are 8 steps to uncover the real subtext 
of your ICP on LinkedIn:

1. Audit Their LinkedIn Profiles
Look at what they emphasize.
Tension shows up in their headcount, KPIs, and team priorities.
Their top headaches are usually hiding in plain sight.

2. Study Their Event Activity
Search for events they attend.
Then check the attendee list.
The themes they show up for
tell you what’s keeping them up at night.

3. Watch Them in Comment Sections
Look at your ICP commenting on competitors’ posts.
Their questions reveal fears.
Their reactions reveal pressure points.

4. Analyze Comments Under Hand-Raising Posts
Creators often say “comment for more info.”
Those comments are gold.
They show exactly what your ICP thinks they need
and what they wish someone would help them solve.

5. Read Your Own Comments Differently
Your commenters are micro-versions of your ICP.
Study their language, frustrations, and patterns.
Your future offer refinement is already hiding there.

6. Track What They Subscribe To
Newsletters, creators, and series they follow
tell you what they’re actively trying to improve.
Subscription signals = priority signals.

7. Act Like Your ICP For a Day
Ask yourself:
If I were them, what problems would I think about at 10 a.m.?
Budget. Productivity. Risk. Politics. Efficiency.
Not “culture” or “soft skills.”
Speak to the internal pressure they feel,
not the topic you want to teach.

8. Go One Layer Deeper Than Logic
Once you find the logical problem,
double punch it.
What’s the emotional layer?
Fear of missing targets?
Fear of looking incompetent?
Fear of wasting budget?
Fear of taking a risk and being wrong?
This is the real subtext.

If you understand your ICP’s subtext,
you won’t sound like their 10th vendor.
You’ll sound like the only person
who actually gets how they think.

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
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(before it blows up your number)
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P.S. What is the number 1 problem your ICP cares about?

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

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♻️ Share to help someone see what their buyers really mean

If you can’t regulate...

You can’t close.

Sales exposes you.
You meet yourself in every conversation.

Your patterns.
Your pressure points.
Your nervous system.
And there are truths you can’t bypass.

You can only face them and train your brain to handle them.
Here are the fifteen brutal truths that shape every 
👀 coach
👀 solopreneur
👀 salesperson

Skinny to long.
Short to heavy.

Exactly how they hit in real life.

1. Pain shows.
2. Hope lies.
3. Buyers drift.
4. Silence grows teeth.
5. Confidence is unstable.
6. Urgency fades overnight.
7. Your tone leaks your pressure.
8. Your pipeline mirrors your mind.
9. Hard calls get pushed tomorrow.
10. Deals die from emotional overload.
11. You cling to maybes to avoid rejection.
12. You chase when your nervous system spikes.
13. You fill your calendar instead of your forecast.
14. You talk more when your brain feels threatened.
15. You lose more deals from dysregulation than bad skills.

The people who win aren’t the hardest closers.
They’re the ones who can think when the noise hits.

They regulate faster.
They recover quicker.
They protect their cognitive bandwidth.

If you want a system that reduces noise, 
increases yeses..
and keeps you out of chasing mode
Let's Talk here --> https://lnkd.in/gbfNasyU

PS. Which truth hit the hardest today?

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

♻️ Share if you’ve lived a brutal truth
➕ Follow Shannon for brain based sales insights

Challenges don't happen TO you...

They happen FOR you.

Resilience doesn’t come from comfort.
It comes from contact with difficulty.

Most people think resilience is something
you either have or you don’t.
👀 Tough childhood.
👀 Hard jobs.
👀 Big failures.

When you face manageable adversity, 
your brain adapts.

Stress-response systems recalibrate.
The nervous system learns,
“I survived that.”

Each challenge becomes data.
Not trauma.
Training.

The amygdala stops overreacting.
The prefrontal cortex gets better at regulating emotion.

You think clearer under pressure.
You recover faster.
You don’t break.
You build.

That’s why people who’ve faced some adversity
often handle future stress better than those who’ve faced none.

It’s why setbacks sharpen judgment.
Why failure builds emotional range.
Why hard seasons quietly increase capacity.

Adversity isn’t the enemy.
Unprocessed adversity is.

When difficulty is integrated,
it turns into resilience.

And resilience changes how bad things land.
Less collapse.
More choice.
More perspective.

Every strong nervous system you admire
was shaped by something it didn’t choose.

If you’re going through something hard,
there’s a future version of you
that’s gaining strength right now.

PS: What challenge in your life might be training you, not punishing you?

Introducing Butterhood Connect:
Find your people - other entrepreneurs like yourself. 
PLUS...FREE content on:
- Craft content that converts
- Understand your ICP deeply
- Increase your cognitive flexibility
- DM to get in front of your prospect
 You don't have to do this alone. Join us FREE
https://lnkd.in/gqMj4Vfz

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

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♻️ Share this if you want to help others grow

Don’t be afraid to start all over again.

You might like your new story better.

Most people don’t stay with toxic bosses
because they love the job.

They stay because starting over feels risky.

You already invested time.
You already proved yourself.
You already survived this much.

So you tell yourself to push through.
But toxic environments don’t just drain energy.
They slowly rewrite who you think you are.

Confidence narrows.
Vision shrinks.
Your nervous system learns to expect threat.

Starting over isn’t failure.
It’s interruption.
And sometimes, leaving isn’t possible yet.
That’s where people get stuck.

Here’s how to regain agency
even if you can’t leave right now.

Three pillars.
Practical. Grounded. Usable.

1/ Establish your baseline
You need to know your starting state.
Stress feels normal when it’s chronic.
Without data, you guess how you’re doing.
Do this: assess how activated you feel most days.
Do this: track sleep, tension, and recovery honestly.
Baseline awareness tells you whether you’re already 
overloaded before the boss even enters the picture.

2/ Predict instead of brace
Toxic bosses are patterned.
The same situations trigger the same behavior.
Surprise is what spikes threat.
Do this: list the moments they escalate.
Do this: plan your response before it happens.
Prediction gives your nervous system what it desperately wants.
Certainty.

3/Plan recovery like it’s required
Stress doesn’t end when the meeting ends.
Unreleased activation carries forward.
That’s how burnout accumulates.
Do this: schedule recovery after interactions.
Do this: close the stress cycle deliberately.
Recovery restores clarity, confidence, and choice.

This is how you protect yourself
while you decide what comes next.

And if there truly is no exit right now,
you still don’t have to white-knuckle it.

That’s why I built
Toxic Boss Armor.

It gives you a baseline.
Helps you predict patterns.
Builds plans that keep your nervous system intact.

Starting over doesn’t always mean leaving tomorrow.
Sometimes it means reclaiming yourself first.

PS If you could rewrite your work story, 
what would you want to feel differently?

Free resources
https://lnkd.in/guRmdNEu

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

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for brain-based tools to stay clear at work.
♻️ Repost if someone you know is afraid to start again.

Micromanagement breeds compliance.

Not commitment.

When every move is monitored,
every decision is corrected,
and every mistake is highlighted,
the brain stops optimizing for growth.

It starts optimizing for safety.
Micromanagement increases uncertainty.
Uncertainty activates the amygdala.
Threat signaling rises.
The prefrontal cortex goes partially offline.

That’s the biology of it.
The prefrontal cortex is where initiative lives,
creativity lives, and ownership lives.

When threat is present, those functions are deprioritized.
So the nervous system adapts.
People do what’s asked.

They stop offering ideas.
They wait for instructions.
They avoid visibility.

From the outside, it looks like control is working.
From the inside, commitment is already gone.

Chronic micromanagement also keeps the stress axis activated.
Cortisol stays elevated.
Recovery shortens.
Motivation drops.
Burnout becomes inevitable.

This is nervous system load.
Leaders often assume disengagement = people don’t care.

More often, it means their nervous system 
doesn’t feel safe enough to invest.

And if you’re on the receiving end of this,
you don’t need thicker skin.

You need regulation, data, and strategy.

That’s why I built
Toxic Boss Armor.

It helps you understand your nervous system baseline,
predict toxic patterns,
and protect your clarity and confidence
even when leadership doesn’t change.

Compliance is a warning sign.
Commitment only emerges when the brain feels safe.

PS Are you barely hanging on by a thread? 
Get some relief --> https://lnkd.in/guRmdNEu

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

➕ Follow Shannon for brain-based tools for surviving a toxic boss.
♻️ Repost if someone you know is stuck under a micromanager.

The answer doesn’t show up when you chase it

It shows up when you stop gripping.

Most people try to solve problems by applying more force.

❌ More analysis.
❌ More urgency.
❌ More mental effort.

The brain hears that as threat.
So it tightens.

When pressure rises,
the nervous system shifts into control mode.

Attention narrows.
Thinking becomes repetitive.

The brain looks for the least risky answer,
not the most interesting one.

That’s why clarity feels elusive when you need it most.
Insight lives in a quieter state.

When the parasympathetic nervous system activates,
the body settles.

Heart rate slows.
Breath deepens.
Internal noise drops.

In that state, the brain starts integrating 
instead of defending.

Patterns rearrange.
Meaning surfaces.
You don’t force the answer.
You notice it.

Psychological safety is what gives the nervous system
permission to loosen its grip.

It tells the brain:
🧠 You’re allowed to pause.
🧠 You’re allowed to wonder.
🧠 You’re allowed to see this differently.

Without safety, the brain loops.
With safety, the brain listens.

No calm, no coherence.
No coherence, no insight.

Here’s how to invite clarity back in:
1️⃣ Soften the body first
Longer exhales reduce neural noise.
The mind follows the body into calm.

2️⃣ Remove time pressure from thinking
Urgency activates threat circuits.
Space restores perspective.

3️⃣ Be alone long enough to hear yourself
Solitude lowers social evaluation.
The quiet reveals what you already know.

The answer isn’t missing.
It’s waiting for peace to rise high enough
for you to hear it.

PS: Where do your clearest insights tend to appear?

Join us for psych safety --> https://lnkd.in/gbfNasyU

Video Credit: Unknown

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Adam Scott's LinkedIn Performance

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