Jean Kang

✨ PM Career Coach, x7 pivoter, helping other pivoters land amazing Program Manager roles and 🔥 thrive on the job | Founder of 🚀 Path to PM | Senior Program Manager @ Figma • Ex-Linkedin, Meta, Pinterest, Intuit

Over the last decade, I led impactful programs at companies like LinkedIn, Pinterest, & Figma.

But here’s the part that surprises people:

- I didn’t have a PMP certification.
- I’m a proud career pivoter. 
- I didn’t check every box.

What I did have was strategy, storytelling, and a clear sense of how to articulate my value.

That’s how I landed multiple 6-figure Program Manager roles at top tech companies not by following the “traditional” path, but by leaning into my superpowers. 

Eventually, I had a spark to do something different..

What if I used the same skills that helped me thrive in Big Tech… to build something of my own?

So I left to bet on myself (again). 

And what served me well in my career also helped me as a solopreneur.

I owned my story, built with intention and shared learnings in public.

I started creating content in 2023 and in 2 years, built a community of 350K+ across LinkedIn, Instagram, and my newsletter.

Today, I’m the founder of the PM Accelerator, a career transformation program where I help senior professionals land high-paying PM roles without another certification or starting over. 

My mission is to democratize access to tech careers + empower folks to design a career, business & life they love especially in this era of AI.

The Results:

→ Partnered with Google, Hubspot, NVIDIA, Adobe, Kajabi, Notion, & more
→ LinkedIn Learning Instructor with 200K+ learners
→ 100M+ impressions over the last year
→ 230K+ follow my journey on LinkedIn
→ Built a $200K+ business in 1 year 
→ 32K+ read my newsletter 
→ (soon TEDx speaker 😱)

If you want to learn the exact framework I used to land dream PM roles + help others do the same… 

📌 APPLY TO THE PM ACCELERATOR (link in bio)

In this 5-week career acceleration program, I teach you how to get interviews, land dream offers and literally thrive on the job.  

I helped 100+ students land PM roles at Microsoft, SoFi, Scale.AI, Adidas, Workday and more (many in under 4–7 weeks)

→ GO HERE: pm-accelerator.com 

📧 jean@jean-kang.com for partnerships, collaborations, and speaking opportunities

📌 Media kit: jean-kang.com

Founder & CEO

"Jean isn’t a program manager coach solely because she’s done the role. She’s a coach because she’s done both the role AND gone the extra mile to document what she’s researched and learned masterfully. 

“Jean’s the real deal, and I couldn’t recommend her more to someone questioning how to take the next step in their career."

I don’t believe in dream jobs.

But I believe in healthy cultures.

Here are 5 🟢 Signs You’re in a Healthy Workplace:

☝🏼 Work-life balance is expected.

↳ Flexible schedules, real PTO, and no guilt for having a life outside of work.

✌🏼 Mental health is respected.

↳ You can take a mental health day without judgment (it’s seen as part of being human)

🤟🏼 Feedback flows both ways.

↳ You feel safe sharing ideas, concerns, or mistakes without fear of backlash (yes, this is psychological safety).

🖖🏼 Growth is prioritized.

↳ You’re given opportunities to develop, whether it’s new skills, projects, or career growth.

🖐🏼 Your work is valued.

↳ Your work is recognized and you receive incentives with raises, bonuses, impactful projects, and flexibility.

When praying for a job, also pray for a workplace that values you too 🙏🏼

Because trust me, when you believe you’re worth it, the universe will make it possible for you.

That’s exactly how I landed dream jobs after being fired and found compassionate leaders after dealing with awful bosses.

It’s because I never settled for anything less.

Which of these signs do you see in your workplace? 👇🏼

Tech Creator (450K+) & Founder | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & LinkedIn Learning Instructor helping you become AI FLUENT ✨

dont just pray for a job. pray for a workplace that values you too.

Unemployment doesn’t make you unworthy.

I’ve been fired, and other times, I left due to a bad culture fit and to be a caretaker for my mother with cancer.

For a long time, I felt embarrassed about job loss.
I assumed it was my fault.

Until I chose to own my narrative.

(it was a circumstance, not a character flaw).

The reality is that unemployment can happen to anyone regardless of performance, tenure, or status.

While it feels personal, here are a few reminders:

1/ You carry your skills forever. 
A layoff doesn’t erase your accomplishments.

2/ You don’t need to settle for less. 
Remember to know your worth and make sure your next role aligns with your values, skills, and culture fit.

3/ Career gaps are normalized. 
We’ll see more and more gaps, and it’s no longer a stigma.

4/ Layoffs can literally happen to ANYONE. 
Your seniority, title, and performance aren’t immune.

5/ It’s okay to take some time off 
Taking time to protect your mental health, realign, and do what brings you joy is not “falling behind.”

6/ This can be a rebuilding season.
You can use LinkedIn to share your story, help others, build genuine connections, and even create opportunities you didn’t have before.

Trust me, investing in yourself is the ultimate gift that will keep on giving ❤️

Dropping the BEST layoff guide, I’ve seen with tasks, tons of resources, and a how-to to get back on your feet

🎁 https://ntn.so/layoffguide created by the talented Christina Warmbrunn + Michael Coleman

Unemployment may be a setback, but you will have your comeback 🙌🏼

unemployment may be a setback. but you will have your comeback

I’ll choose remote work > higher salary.

It’s really simple.

More rest, less stress.

I’ve been remote ever since COVID but up until that point, I prioritized $.

Now, I prioritize my mental health, peace of mind, and well being. 

WFH has personally made me:

✔️ Richer
✔️ Happier
✔️ Healthier
✔️ More Productive

It’s about flexibility and choice.

Give people an OPTION to choose what works for them.

And here’s the thing.

When you feel good, you deliver higher-quality work, and can think and operate better.

That’s why I’ll always champion companies that enable teams to operate at the next level without being tied to an office.

Tango is one of the products I genuinely love because they are transforming how remote teams learn, lead, and share information.

They truly created a people-first product that’s perfect for training, documenting SOPs, and eliminating context-switching. 

Because people thrive when you meet them where they are (not the other way around).

Do you agree?

#TangoPartner

Tech Creator (440k+) & Founder | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & LinkedIn Learning Instructor helping you become AI FLUENT ✨

No office perk beats the benefit of remote work.

I love this story SO much.

What you may not know about the CEO of NVIDIA.

Jensen Huang owns a $4 trillion dollar company 

But his LinkedIn profile lists just TWO jobs: 

☝🏼 Dishwasher, busboy, and waiter at Denny’s

✌🏼 Founder & CEO of Nvidia

His profile went viral, and people started calling it “the most inspiring LinkedIn profile ever.”

Here’s why his story resonates:

1/ Your first job doesn’t define your success

We’ve all had jobs that felt small or irrelevant. That’s normal. 

What matters is what you take from them.

2/ Every experience matters 

Jensen doesn’t list every role he’s had. 

But even working at Denny’s gave him lessons in grit, humility, and service.

These are traits that shaped how he leads today.

3/ Careers aren’t linear 

He went on to earn a Master’s from Stanford, worked as a chip designer at AMD and LSI Logic, while raising 2 children.

In 1993, he co-founded Nvidia while sitting in a booth at Denny’s with “no idea how” to start a company.

This is the true definition of humble beginnings.

30 years later, Jensen is one of the most influential leaders in tech.

Let this be your reminder:

Your resume does not define you.
Your background does not define you.
And no one else gets to define your story except for YOU. 

image credit: entrepreneurshipquote

P.S. So many talented professionals assume their work will speak for itself (then feel overlooked)

My friend & bestselling author, Lorraine K. Lee is hosting a free 30-minute lesson tomorrow! 

She’s a powerhouse giving a masterclass on why great work isn’t enough and how to actually get recognized at work.

📌 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gp6yrX9u

the ceo of nvidia has a legendary linkedin profile

How to (finally) sketch 🔥 infographics with AI.

If you want to create slick graphics without hiring a designer, try this:

1/ Upload a reference image you like (to recreate the style)

2/ Go to Gemini or ChatGPT and paste this prompt:

“Create an infographic brief for [YOUR TOPIC]. Include visual suggestions.”

3/ Review and edit the draft as needed

Example: edit the copy, remove specific bullets, add brand colors etc.

4/ Update your prompt with specifics:

“Generate a single image of a physical, hand-drawn infographic on a large whiteboard or notebook page.

Crucial Style Instructions (Read First):

Medium: The image must look like a photograph of a real whiteboard or large paper notepad.

Texture: All elements must look created by hand using colored marker pens (black, blue, red, green) and highlighters (yellow/orange). Lines should be slightly imperfect, wobbly, and have the texture of ink on a surface.

No Digital Fonts: All text, headings, and bullet points must appear handwritten or hand-printed in marker pen.

Layout: Structure the 1080x1350 image as follows:

Use multi-colored markers for emphasis. Keep text large and legible. Make everything look hand-drawn with slight imperfections. Make it look like a photograph of an actual notebook page.

Always include the handwritten text “Follow Jean Kang for more content like this | Repost ♻️” at the bottom of the image, in the same hand-drawn marker style.”

And keep prompting until you’re 100% satisfied with the image.

This is how you can turn any piece of educational content into a killer infographic.

Loved this prompt I found from Charlie Hills 🦩 newsletter as he breaks down exactly how 3 “ugly” graphics got him close to 500K impressions 🤯

Check out the playbook here: https://lnkd.in/gnntBDQA

P.S. I do see a few typos so it’s not perfect but I mean how amazing is the ability to even generate a graphic like this! 

Reshare if you learned a new AI hack today 😉

Tech Creator (445k+) & Founder | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & LinkedIn Learning Instructor helping you become AI FLUENT ✨

I would bookmark this 🔖 

Google launched a free AI learning tool (and it’s so cool) 😱

It’s part of their new AI experiment called Learn Your Way, 

and it’s one of the most intuitive tools I’ve seen for modern learners.

A few standouts:

☝🏼 It adapts to your grade level and your interests

✌🏼 It converts material into formats you’ll actually use (audio, mind maps, slides, etc.)

🤟🏼 It checks in with quizzes and memory boosters so the info actually sticks

Say you’re learning physics.. it’ll literally teach you with rocket examples if you’re into space.

No more boring, generic explanations (bye to old textbooks)

This is still early (and in testing) but this is what I call learning BEYOND the classroom.

You’re not just learning new things.

You’re learning in a way that works BEST for YOU.

And I’m so HERE 👏🏼 FOR 👏🏼 IT👏🏼 

Here’s the link to try it out: https://lnkd.in/eB6J6CeF

What do you think?

Tech Creator (400k+) & Founder | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & LinkedIn Learning Instructor helping you build AI literacy ✨

ChatGPT just got cancelled 🙀

Cancel ChatGPT is trending right now, and Claude did the most brilliant thing.

Let me explain.

OpenAI just signed a deal with the Pentagon over how its AI models would be used across the military.

And people are freaking out because who wants to give our data, our most prized possession, to the government, especially for war? 

While Anthropic publicly refused to give unrestricted use of Claude.

So everyone is rage quitting ChatGPT and going over to Anthropic.

But breaking up with Chat is kind of pain because all of your data is there. I mean, years of it.

So, Claude did something better 

Basically said, I got you, let me make this as easy as possible.

Literally just paste in this prompt, put it into ChatGPT, and you'll get all of your context back when you move to Claude.

They really made it THAT simple. 

Save this link (from Claude) so you can have your memory back in basically 1 click

🔗 https://lnkd.in/g9Em7Gky

OR feel free to do it manually:

Step 1: Copy Anthropic’s prompt below and paste it into ChatGPT

I’m moving to another service and need to export my data. List every memory you have stored about me, as well as any context you’ve learned about me from past conversations. Output everything in a single code block so I can easily copy it. Format each entry as: [date saved, if available] - memory content. Make sure to cover all of the following — preserve my words verbatim where possible: Instructions I’ve given you about how to respond (tone, format, style, ‘always do X’, ‘never do Y’). Personal details: name, location, job, family, interests. Projects, goals, and recurring topics. Tools, languages, and frameworks I use. Preferences and corrections I’ve made to your behavior. Any other stored context not covered above. Do not summarize, group, or omit any entries. After the code block, confirm whether that is the complete set or if any remain.

Step 2: Copy and paste the results into Claude’s memory settings:

https://lnkd.in/gC3EztGf

Are we seeing a mass ChatGPT exodus? Let me know your thoughts 💭

P.S. I actually did do this, and it was WILDLY easy to do. I’ve been appreciating Claude more and more for how intelligent its AI models are, but I still like Chat for ease of use, but who knows that might change 🫣

1.5 Million users leave ChatGPT. If you cancel, make sure you do this first.

10 years ago, I was in a job I hated…

Toxic bosses, high turnover, & poor company culture.

Thanks to Rob Dance for this quote 🙏🏼

No matter how hard I worked, I wasn't ever good enough.

I tried to stick it out but was fired in under 1 year.

I was crushed. I never thought I’d be able to get back up.

10 years later, I’ve worked at dream companies like LinkedIn, Meta, and Figma.

I led incredibly impactful projects, 5X my salary, and worked with world-class leaders.

The lesson?

NEVER give up. You can turn each rejection and redirect it into something better.

Regardless of the situation, I ALWAYS bet on myself.

Because if not you, then who?

Never let a toxic workplace or person define your worth.

Only YOU define your worth.

Betting yourself is one of the best investments you can make.

__

6 questions to ask if you're in the right place 👇🏼

1/ Am I challenged?
2/ Am I learning & growing?
3/ Do I feel like I can make an impact?
4/ Do I align with the values of the company?
5/ Am I being valued & recognized for my work?
6/ Do I enjoy working with my team and my boss?

Remember what your non-negotiables are (and never settle for less).

Choose yourself daily 💙

How are you choosing yourself today?

i used to think people changed jobs for money.but now i realize people just want to feel valued and have piece of mind

Failing is *actually* a good thing.

But most people let it consume them…

I’ve failed A LOT in my life.

- got fired twice
- bombed presentations
- stayed too long in toxic relationships

But here’s what it taught me:

↳ grit to keep going
↳ take failures as lessons
↳ made space for something *better*

And because of these “failures”, I’m right where I need to be:

I met the love of my life 🥹

I’m living my dream doing what I love ❤️

Allowed me to quit tech + create a life on my terms 🙏🏼

__

Try these 5 things to bounce back (even when you don’t want to):

☝🏼 Feel the pain

Give yourself permission to feel it fully.

Your emotions are valid (and it’s okay not to be okay).

If you’re sad, be sad. If you’re mad, be upset.

You’re literally be sick if you bottle your feels. 

✌🏼 Zoom out

You are not your worst moment.

Recognize that this too shall pass.

9/10 times you won’t remember this 1 month later.

🤟🏼 Find the lesson

Ask yourself: What is this trying to teach you?

How can I make my worst day my best one?

What would you do differently next time?

🖖🏼 Rewrite the narrative

Stop calling it failure. The only way to grow is through falling.

Remember, you are a beautiful work-in-progress.

✋🏼 Start slowly (just start)

Commit to taking 1 tiny step (any step).

Raise your hand at work. Post 3x a week. Have one hard conversation.

When I look back at my life.. here’s what makes me smile:

My collection of failures added up to a far more meaningful life.

I did something 🥹

LinkedIn invited me to interview their Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, Aneesh Raman, for his NEW book ✨Open to Work✨ co-authored with LinkedIn CEO, Ryan Roslansky.

Here's why this was deeply personal for me:

1/ It's been 5 years since I worked out of LinkedIn's SF HQ.

The same building I used to badge into as an employee is now where I interview LinkedIn's C-suite as a Creator.

I mean.. what a truly FULL circle moment.

2/ AI x the future of work is more timely than ever.

When I asked Aneesh why he and Ryan chose to write this book now, here's what he said:

"This isn't about AI. It's what we can do WITH AI."

The goal of this book is to build awareness, drive action, and shape a conversation that helps people navigate one of the biggest moments. of. our. time.

It's not emotionally charged. 
It's optimistic yet honest.
It's practical yet grounded.

Here's why I love it (and why you need to read it):

It's NOT a book about AI.
It's NOT humans vs. AI.
It's humans WITH AI.

And contains countless stories of regular people using AI to do new, ✨extraordinary✨ things at work to:

- Do their jobs better
- Find new jobs more easily
- Build new businesses
- And ultimately, be more HUMAN at work

Thank you, Mary Kate Fields, Gianluca Russo, and Aneesh Raman, for trusting me to lead this dialogue and bringing me back to my old stomping grounds 🙏🏼

I truly believe this (and you've heard me say it before):

AI isn't replacing you. But the person who uses it likely will.

It's okay to feel uneasy about the future as it unfolds.
You don't need to beat fear. You just need to act despite it. 💙

10/10 recommend for anyone who's pro-human in this AI era.

🔗 Get it here: https://lnkd.in/gVb9sXRJ

Hopping on the bandwagon 🚙

Claude is definitely WORTH the hype 🥹 Save this video to follow the EXACT steps to transfer all of your ChatGPT data over to Claude.

I have not fan-girled SO hard over an AI tool and can’t wait to explore more use cases to make Claude my superpower ✨

Follow along as I document my experience trying all the AI tools to help you make AI your unfair advantage.

The #1 thing that actually changed my life. 

It wasn’t getting a college degree or something I learned at a job.

It was choosing *who* I want as my life partner.

Despite posting on LinkedIn every day, I’m super private about my personal life.

But looking back at my biggest wins, I truly believe this is the 1 thing that unlocked my hidden potential. 

I was in relationships with people who didn’t understand or support my ambition, values, and they always found a way to dim my light.

My now husband is the sole reason why I’m able to create and live the life I always wanted.

He’s the reason I was able to quit tech, turn my side hustle of posting content into my main hustle, ground me when I feel inadequate, and remind me that I can do anything.

He doesn’t care that I make more, that have to drop everything and travel for work, or that I have big goals for myself.

He’s the best life partner I could ever ask for 🥹

We talk about our future together, how we’ll raise kids, and grow old together.

That’s why choosing your partner is the single most important decision you can ever make.

Because it will bleed into how you show up, who you become, and the impact you’ll have.

So instead of chasing the next shiny thin like a promotion, an MBA, a new job, new location, just start where you are.

Find someone who will make you better and help you achieve your wildest dreams.

Because that person is out there, and you deserve to *never* settle for anything less.

What I used to care about (before accepting a job)

↳ Perks (Free food, swag, etc)
↳ Company name
↳ Location
↳ Title

What I care about now (after I got all the above)

★ Flexible time off (without the guilt)
★ A manager who has my back
★ Growth opportunities
★ Psychological safety
★ Exciting challenges
★ Supportive team
★ Remote-friendly

The superficial things are temporary bliss.

Prioritize your non-negotiables.

And assess your list regularly.

If you’re looking for a job, I hope you find the right role, culture, and boss for you 💙.

What’s your non-negotiable? 👇🏼

Things employees don't care about vs What employees actually care about

NVIDIA GTC 2026… ya girl is coming 💚

I couldn't be more excited to be one of the influencers to report LIVE at one of the most ICONIC AI conferences in the world 🥹

I went last year, and seeing Jensen announce the latest and greatest of AI infra was ALL.THE. HYPE.

The energy was WILD in a room of 17,000 people 🔥

I mean Jensen IS the Taylor Swift of tech 🥹

But here’s what most people don’t know about…

While in-person passes cost over $2,500, you can attend virtually for FREE.

Yes, $0! 

Here are some sessions I’ll definitely be going to:

✔️ How open models actually evolved this past year, and where they're headed next

https://lnkd.in/gMqWJkZ6

✔️ Agentic AI 101: what agents really are, and how they work in production (not just demos)

https://lnkd.in/gYmEQVz3

✔️ AI literacy from K-12 to career entry, and the real student outcomes that prove access always matters

https://lnkd.in/gm4RFCat

Bare minimum, you NEED to livestream Jensen Huang’s keynote.

Register with the link below and save your spot before GTC kicks off on March 16.

🔗 https://nvda.ws/4kfvvnv

Who else is going there? Please say hello 👋🏼

#GTC2026 #NVIDIAPartner

Literally one of my favorite AI tool of 2026.

I love this PLAUD Note Pro from Plaud

A must-have for professionals who have tons of meetings, go to networking events, and love synthesizing convos with actionable takeaways.

I used to whip out my phone to take notes. 

It always drained my battery and made the person I'm talking to a bit self-conscious 🫣

Now I can be super present.

PLAUD is an AI-powered tool that transcribes any conversations or meetings you have. 

It then summarizes, extracts key insights, creates mind maps, and even answers your questions.

Not only does it work effortlessly, but it's super sleek and stylish. 

You barely notice it's there.

Who else is into AI wearables, and what do you recommend?

Try Plaud out for yourself (and check out their entire suite of AI wearables): https://bit.ly/40xA2sl

I’m an introvert but . . .

speaking in front of founders & creators totally filled my cup 🥺

I was joined by Grace Gong and Lillian Zhang, two boss women who have built seriously impressive media businesses while showing up for their audiences every single day.

We talked about getting started with content from zero to 1, how we've monetized our businesses, and what we'd tell our younger selves.

A few key takeaways:

1/ Starting is the STRATEGY

So many of us overthink content. 

We convince ourselves we need to be a thought leader first.

But the only permission you need is your own.

Don’t wait to be an “expert”.

Start by sharing your story, document your founder journey, and highlight the lowlight and lessons.

People crave real, unfiltered content.

2/ Consistency > perfection

A perfect strategy means nothing without execution.

When I got started on LinkedIn, I made a promise to post daily for 365 days.

I committed regardless of my follower or engagement count.

I trusted the process. And I accidentally built a community of 400K, became a TEDx speaker (my dream), and crossed over $500K/year in < 2 years. 

3/ You ARE the ✨NICHE✨

You do NOT need to stick to rigid pillars.

Create content around the topics that actually bring you joy.

That's the only way you will post consistently, find your tribe, and do so without burning out. 

I talk about personal growth, entrepreneurship, & tech. And I have a POV on all of it.

So do you.

Thank you to Cornelia Gu for sliding into my DMs and asking me to join. 11/10 experience 🖤

P.S. Always shoot your shot. You genuinely never know where it leads.

Who's heading to SXSW next week? 🥳

Google invited me to the most ✨EPIC✨ Supper Club 🥺

I've honestly never fangirled SO hard

I was in room with my favorite AI educators like Andrej Karpathy, Peter Yang, Lenny Rachitsky, & Cat Goetze.

Context: Lenny is the reason I started creating content 3 years ago.

I told myself, "I want to be the Lenny of Program Management."

So I started a coaching company, helped people land millions of dollars in offers, and built my first 6-figure business from scratch.

Putting myself out there landed me on stages with HubSpot, LinkedIn & TEDx, dream brand collabs, and even the LV Grand Prix 🏎️ 🙀

It was all because I SAW others pave the path first.

When you see others living their dreams, something goes off in your brain.

And you start to believe that you can make it possible too.

That's exactly what I want to be for you.

Because being in this room proved to me just HOW far I've come 🙏🏼

P.S. Thank you Michele Slack for inviting me to the most intimate experience that truly filled my cup.

To the best dinner buddies: Robby Stein Ashley Thompson Matthew Berman, our convos will stick with me!

Rossa Hsieh Marvin Chow Lily Lin Kevin Stratvert Jung Won (JD) Choi so grateful to chat with each of you! Ya'll are amazing 🥰

So please don't quit on your daydream 💭.
If I can do it, so can you.

5 phrases to stop saying (it's killing your confidence).

And what to replace it with:

1. Sorry for being late 

→ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦!

2. Sorry for missing that 

→ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵. 𝘍𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘥 ✅

3. Sorry for not understanding 

→ 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯?

4. Sorry for asking 

→ 𝘐'𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘟 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵.

5. Sorry to schedule a meeting 

→ 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘟. 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘠 𝘰𝘳 𝘡 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 30 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯?

Do you see the difference?

Reframing can help you build your confidence and influence. 

Repost to empower your network to speak with confidence 🙌🏼.

What phrase are you unlearning?

5 phrases to stop saying (and what to replace it with) 

This was one of my biggest dreams. 

Becoming a TEDx speaker!

And ya girl manifested it in less than 3 months (omg)

But here’s what most people don’t see: 

The journey started 2 years ago when I decided to hit post on LinkedIn and double down on my personal brand.

And I committed to put myself out there Every. Single. Day (despite the cringe)

In this newsletter, I break down the exact process and strategy to make this dream a reality.

Give it a read if becoming a TEDx speaker is also on your bucket list 😉

Check it out here 👇🏼

This has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl I shared how I officially became a TEDx speaker (i still can’t believe it). It’s still surreal

Open article: How I manifested my biggest dream and became a TEDx speaker in less than 3 months by Jean Kang • 2 min read

How I manifested my biggest dream and became a TEDx speaker in less than 3 months

ADHD Career Coach | Founder of Momentum — the 8-week coaching program built to get ADHD brains off the overthinking line and into a rhythm of task execution (even on low-energy days)

If you're like most senior leaders I work with, you're not stuck because you lack experience, but because locking into your next move feels impossibly heavy.

I know that feeling well.

For years, I could lead teams, close deals, and make high-stakes decisions without blinking.

But when it came to my own next step?

– Everything blurred.
– The options multiplied.
– The second-guessing crept in.

And the longer I sat with it, the harder it got to move at all.

You can probably relate:

– You can see multiple lanes.
– You can imagine yourself in all of them.
– You can talk yourself into each one if you're not careful.

But eventually, the weight of all those possibilities starts to work against you.

➝ Your story doesn't point anywhere.
➝ Your positioning feels scattered.
➝ Your confidence nosedives.

And you start asking the real question:

"𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄?"

Most people assume it's a motivation problem.

It's not.

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺.

Because when you're keeping too many options open, nothing really lands.

Once you stop hedging and lock into one clear lane, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀:

➝ Your direction locks in. 
➝ Your positioning becomes clear. 
➝ Your visibility grows in the right spaces. 
➝ Your authority increases with the people who matter.

Small wins start stacking again.

Movement feels normal.

Confidence comes back online.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗜 𝗱𝗼.

Through 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 — my 8-week 1:1 career accelerator — I help leaders in transition stop hedging, lock into one clear path, and build visibility and authority where it actually matters.

Here's what you get:

– A structure for clarity, positioning, visibility, and authority
– The accountability and scaffolding that keep you steady
– 1:1 support to reduce friction instead of adding pressure
– A 2nd brain to guide the work between calls (Persona™)

By the time the conversations start, people already understand who you are, what you bring, and where you fit.

And once you lock in?

Momentum becomes the norm.

📩 𝗗𝗠 𝗺𝗲 "𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺" 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

David Hannan

10 harsh truths I learned switching careers at 50.

Thinking about a pivot? Read this twice:

1️⃣ You're not too old to change.
But you are too old to keep pretending you're fine

2️⃣ Purpose doesn't just appear.
You create it through messy action and alignment

3️⃣ Confidence won't lead the way.
But it will follow consistency.

4️⃣ Long careers makes choosing difficult.
Each option looks like the right and the wrong one.

5️⃣ Your old career isn't wasted.
It's raw material for your next chapter.

6️⃣ Focus won't magically show up.
You have to build systems that hold you together.

7️⃣ Motivation lies.
You need momentum, even tiny steps count.

8️⃣ You won't feel clear before you start.
Clarity comes after commitment, not before.

9️⃣ Reinventing yourself takes guts.
Especially when it’s easier to stay put than moving. 

1️⃣0️⃣ Progress will feel invisible.
Until one day, you realize how far you've come.

I learned these the hard way by breaking patterns I didn't even know I had. 

If I knew them sooner?

I would've spent less time overthinking and more time trusting the process.

Which one feels the most true for you?

Share below in the comments—let's compare notes.

Helping senior leaders stop hedging and lock into one clear path | Founder of Momentum | Former $4M full-desk recruiter

10 surprising job search truths I know at 53.

(that I wish I knew at 33)

1. Networking is essential.

Realize that building authentic relationships can open more doors than just handing out business cards.

2. Building a personal brand is crucial.

How you present yourself online and offline can make or break opportunities in your industry.

3. The myth of job security. 

Recognize that the concept of lifetime employment is largely outdated. Diversifying your skill set and being adaptable are your best insurance policies.

4. Self-care is a priority. 

Prioritizing self-care can enhance both your job satisfaction and performance. Ignoring this can lead to burnout and reduced productivity.

5. The value of cultural fit. 

While high salaries or brand-name companies may seem attractive, finding a workplace where you fit in culturally can be equally, if not more, important.

6. Facing ageism. 

Discrimination based on age is a real challenge; staying relevant and adaptable are keys to overcoming it.

7. The importance of time management. 

Understand that being busy isn't the same as being productive. Effective time management is a crucial skill for a fulfilling career.

8. The power of negotiation. 

Whether it's your salary, role, or benefits, strong negotiation skills can significantly impact your path.

9. More than just job titles. 

There's more to job satisfaction than just your title. It's about work-life balance, company culture, and a sense of purpose.

10. Financial planning is a necessity. 

Planning for financial stability is essential, whether for retirement or navigating potential job losses.

The only thing I'd change? 

Start believing them sooner.

PS. What would your #11 be?

10 Job Search Truths I Learned the Hard Way

Last week a client said, "I could do any of these five things."

That's where most people get stuck.

I've been sitting with a lot of people whose background just makes sense. 

They've got the experience, and they've done some pretty cool things, but then you ask them what they want next, and there's this shift.

They can talk for twenty minutes about what they've done. 

But when you ask, "So what's the next move?" something happens. It's like they suddenly realize they're choosing which version of themselves to lead with. 

Not which job, but which identity.

One version is the operations person. The systems builder. Another is the people leader. Hired well and trained people up. And then there's the strategist. The one in the room where decisions got made.

They're all real, and they've all got proof.

But when they try to hold onto all of them, their voice changes. There's this hesitation. 

I'll hear it when they talk about what they want next. They'll start clear and then it softens. "Or I could also..." shows up mid-sentence.

It's not a confidence thing because they know they're capable. It's just that their story doesn't actually point anywhere. It sits there in all directions at once.

A hiring manager can hear that. 

They hear the capability, the experience, but they don't hear where the person is actually trying to go.

It's not that any one version is weak, they just haven't decided which version is actually driving the ship yet.

So everything stays flexible, and everything stays technically true.

And why they're stuck between all five.

PS. The first in your list is usually the one.

Defending my team didn’t rattle me, the train ride home did.

This was 2018, back when I was still recruiting.

I had to push back on senior leadership about something that would have landed badly on my team. 

In the room, I kept it together. I listened, took notes, tried not to react. They said I handled it well.

But on the Metro-North ride home, I felt completely detached, just staring out the window. 

I got home and shut down, and the next couple of days took more out of me than I thought.

When you’re the one carrying the weight in the room, you don’t really get to fall apart.

You regulate yourself, you absorb what’s coming at you, and you try to make it usable for everyone else.

That’s how you end up in bigger rooms.

It also takes something out of you.

Before that meeting, I’d already rehearsed what I was going to say and run the objections in my head. 

While I was sitting there, I wanted out, but I kept it together because that was the job.

None of that shows up on a resume or in a performance review.

When I talk to senior leaders now who are between roles or thinking about their next move, this is usually the part that doesn’t come up.

They’ve been carrying that weight for years, and it just feels normal.

The calm exterior, and underneath it, a steady internal burn rate.

You don’t really notice it while you’re still in it.

Sometimes in a career transition, the exhaustion’s been building long before the search even starts.

P.S. What other parts of leadership don’t get airtime?

This is some of the best news I’ve heard on automated/AI generated comment moderation come out of LinkedIn in ages. 

This will have a direct impact on all the big name accounts who’ve relied on engagement pods to boost reach through automated comments. 

Christmas came early. 

LIAM DARMODY — LFG!

Back with a Friday update - today, it's about a comments and the steps we are taking to keep the conversations in the comments authentic and helpful. 

tldr: Automated comments - comments submitted to LinkedIn via a browser extension, script, or third party tool, without human action involved in clicking the “comment" button - are not allowed on LinkedIn. Instead, we want to focus on the comments that are authentic and spark genuine conversations.

taplio

The Battle

Jean Kang

David Hannan

Followers

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Performance ScoreJean Kang's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreDavid Hannan's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Jean Kang

David Hannan

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

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);}Jean Kang's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreDavid Hannan's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJean Kang's LinkedIn Performance