Dave Kline

Become the Leader You’d Follow | Founder @ MGMT | Coach | Advisor | Speaker | Trusted by 250K+ leaders.

Hey, I’m Dave Kline.

I teach leaders how to build All-Star teams and level up their careers.

After decades of leading in pretty intense environments, from Bridgewater Associates to Moody’s Analytics, I know what it takes to be the manager your team remembers (for the right reasons).

Why I can help you is simple:

I’ve been through it.

And to prove it, here’s my background (by the numbers) ⤵️

2: Decades leading high-impact teams in asset management (Bridgewater), consulting (PwC), & financial services (Moody’s Analytics).

4: Years as an entrepreneur. My portfolio includes Skillscouter (an online course & career site), and MGMT Accelerator (a cohort-based management training course).

14: Cohorts of early-career leaders that I’ve taught at multiple companies.

100: Managers I recruited, onboarded & mentored at Bridgewater Associates.

1,000: Performance evaluations with grace and respect for stars and terminations alike.

205,000+: My community across LinkedIn & Twitter interested in management tactics & leadership lessons

385,000,000: My team’s top revenue year at Moody’s.

Now that we’ve covered the why, here’s the how:

- The MGMT Accelerator – an intensive management training course for both new and senior leaders
- MGMT Fundamentals – a course that covers all the need-to-know management basics for rookie leaders
- The MGMT Playbook – a weekly newsletter that gives practical management insights

Through our MGMT courses, my wife Marsden and I have played the assist with over 1,100 leaders so far, who’ve now learned how to:

- Practically tackle the most common leadership challenges
- Build their Management OS’s CODE (Coach, Operate, Delegate, Engage)
- Refine their individual leadership Decision-Making System

With our 30+ years of combined experience, you won’t just get our knowledge.

You’ll get to ask us questions directly and get access to coaching that’s more tailored to your own experience.

We always say – if we could do it like a dinner party, we would.

If you’re interested in leadership advice (that doesn’t just sound nice but actually works), drop me a follow – I post daily.

And if you like what you see, our MGMT courses could be just what you need to level up.

DM me if you’re interested.

Co-Founder

We created the MGMT Accelerator to help managers rapidly develop into trusted leaders by combining the art & science of management. 

This 4-week program consistents of eight 90-minute modules where I share the tactics I learned leading high-performing teams for 25 years. During each session, we tailor those insights together to build your personalized management system together. 

You'll learn alongside ~50 peers and become part of an expert community of more than 300 alums.

The soft skills are sometimes the hardest.

Which is why they're so valuable.

Think about the best person you worked with.
- The one who quietly set the standard.
- The one who made everyone else better. 
- The one you'd want to bring with you.

What made them stand out?

Yes, they were good at their job. 
But there was something more.

It was how they showed up. 

4 Underrated Career Skills:

1. Raise the Energy of the Room
→ Make others feel more capable, not less
→ Add enthusiasm when it's absent
→ Choose optimism

2. Be Enjoyable to Work With
→ Create calm in chaos
→ Blend excellence with enjoyment
→ Become everyone's "go-to" resource

3. Keep Your Commitments
→ Replace "I'll try" with "I will"
→ Build trust through reliable delivery 
→ Promise carefully, deliver consistently

4. Lead Regardless of Title
→ Tackle the problems others avoid
→ Take initiative before it's obvious
→ Make decisions that prioritize progress

The truth about these skills:

They're 100% your choice.
Only 1% do all 4.

And that's your opportunity.

Simple ≠ Easy
That's why it works.

And yes, AI is changing everything. 
Including making these skills more valuable.

⬇️ Which skill has helped your career most?

🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more
♻️ Share to help others grow

Your team doesn't need you to have all the answers,

As long as you ask the right questions. 

Here are 20 questions that:

- Uncover meaningful problems
- Unlock the team's potential
- Unleash breakthrough results

And what you should listen for...

THE WORK (And How Work Gets Done)

1. What does excellence look like?
2. How do we measure success?
3. Name our three critical priorities.
4. Where do you get blocked?
5. Which processes feel unnecessary?

What to listen for:
Can they define exceptional work with specificity? 
Do they know what truly matters versus what's just noise? 
Will they challenge inefficient processes? 

Great teams have clarity and the courage to stay focused.

ENGAGEMENT (What Drives People)

6. What energizes you most?
7. How do you prefer feedback?
8. What skills do you want to build?
9. When were you most proud?
10. Where do you want to be in one year?

What to listen for:
Where does their natural energy flow? 
Do they invite improvement or avoid it? 
Are they driving their own development with purpose? 

Great teams have energy and raise everyone else's.

ALIGNMENT (Staying Connected)

11. How does your work impact our mission?
12. What's our biggest opportunity?
13. Where do you see team friction?
14. What information would help you?
15. What should we stop doing?

What to listen for:
Do they see their strategic value beyond their task list? 
Can they spot future wins and surface hard truths? 
Will they challenge the status quo? 

Great teams have a shared mission and the systems to compound.

MOMENTUM (Progress & Patterns)

16. What's our best improvement this quarter?
17. Where are we falling behind?
18. What problems keep returning?
19. Which changes worked best?
20. "What one change would help most?

What to listen for:
Do they build on wins or just move to the next thing? 
Will they flag real risks honestly? 
Can they spot systemic issues versus one-off problems? 

Great teams have direction and an unstoppable desire to improve.

Remember:

The secret isn't in asking the questions.
It's listening deeply to what follows.

Great questions reveal the truth.
Great leaders do something about it.

Helpful?

🔔 Follow us (Dave Kline and Marsden Kline) for more.
♻️ Share to help others lead with better questions.

The 20 Question to Lead Your Team

#1 for Career Coaching on LinkedIn. I help senior-level ICs & people leaders grow their salaries and land fulfilling $200K-$500K jobs —> 300+ placed at top companies.

Ranked #1 Career Coach Worldwide | Helping Senior ICs & People Leaders Land $200K-$500K Dream Jobs

Ready to grow your salary and land a role you actually love?

I've helped over 300 professionals break through salary ceilings and land life-changing positions at Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, and other top companies.

Here's what makes my approach different:

Most job seekers waste months applying to hundreds of jobs with no results. My clients land multiple offers in 6-12 weeks using "The Simple Success Method" - my distilled 5-step system that focuses only on what gets you hired. After 300+ successful placements, I've learned that executive-level results come from doing the RIGHT 5 things perfectly, not overwhelming yourself with complicated processes.

My track record speaks for itself:
✓ 300+ clients placed at dream companies  
✓ Average salary increase: 40-80%  
✓ 220M+ content views helping job seekers  
✓ Featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider  
✓ Built my own 7-figure business using these exact strategies  

What you get in Career Leap:
→ The Simple Success Method™ (my battle-tested 5-step system)  
→ 1:1 coaching sessions with me personally  
→ Exclusive access to proprietary AI job search tool  
→ Group coaching with other high-performers  
→ Private community of ambitious professionals  
→ Complete confidentiality throughout your search  

This isn't for everyone. I only work with senior-level individual contributors and people leaders who are serious about making a major career move and ready to invest in themselves.

My guarantee: If you don't land a $200K-$500K role within 90 days, we'll keep working with you until you do. That's how confident I am in this system.

More about me: Currently living in Chicago. I worked at LinkedIn for 4 years helping Fortune 500 companies hire top talent, then founded my own 7-figure recruiting start-up. Now I use that complete 360° perspective - platform insider knowledge + hiring expertise + entrepreneurial success - to help people land jobs they actually love.

Ready to transform your career?
  
Send me a DM with "CAREER LEAP" or book a free job search strategy call: https://lwspuk8wil4.typeform.com/to/LeHkspKC

P.S. - Spots are limited. I only take on a select group of professionals each month to ensure everyone gets the attention they deserve.

Reno Perry

The best career advice President Obama ever gave?

“Just learn how to get things done.”

Not “be the smartest in the room.”
Not “get another certification.”
Not “grind 80-hour weeks.”

Just get things done.

It sounds obvious.
But it’s rare.

Most people:
→ Overthink
→ Over-plan
→ Wait for permission
→ Get stuck in “polish mode”
→ Confuse motion with progress

And while they’re spinning, someone else executes.

That’s who moves up.
That’s who earns trust.
That’s who gets remembered.

Getting things done isn’t about being a robot.

It’s about being reliable.
It’s about following through.
It’s about making things happen.

Because perfection doesn’t build careers.
Progress does.

If you want to lead at any level…

Start with action.
Stay consistent.
Ship the work.

Be known as the person who gets it done.

The rest will follow.

Agree? disagree? 
Drop it in the comments below. 

Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network.
And give me a follow for more posts like this.

(Video from LinkedIn News)

#1 for Career Coaching on LinkedIn. I help senior-level ICs & people leaders grow their salaries and land fulfilling $200K-$500K jobs —​> 300+ placed at top companies.

Confidence isn't built in your comfort zone.

It's earned one scary step at a time.

Shout out to Dr. Thomas Funke for this brilliant visual reminder.

After coaching 100s of professionals, I see the same pattern:

The people who land those $200k+ roles aren't always the most qualified.

They're the ones living in the learning zone.

Here's what each zone actually teaches you:

1. Comfort Zone
→ You feel safe, but nothing grows here
→ Your skills stay the same
→ Your opportunities stay limited

2. Fear Zone
→ This is where most people quit
→ Doubt creeps in. Others question you
→ But here's the secret: This zone is temporary

3. Learning Zone
→ You face real challenges
→ You build new skills that matter
→ You step forward instead of staying stuck

4. Growth Zone
→ You set goals that actually move the needle
→ You turn skills into measurable impact
→ Confidence starts flowing from action, not theory

5. Transformation Zone
→ You align work with purpose
→ You lead change instead of following it
→ You stop playing small

The breakthrough happens when you realize:

Confidence doesn't come from knowing everything.
It comes from trusting yourself to figure it out.

That promotion you want?
That leadership role calling your name?
That career pivot you keep postponing?

It's waiting for you in the learning zone.

Not when you feel ready.
Not when you have all the answers.

Right now.

The question isn't whether you're qualified.
It's whether you're willing to become qualified.

Every successful leader started exactly where you are.

Scared. 
Uncertain. 
But moving forward anyway.

Your next level is closer than you think.

Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network.
And give me a follow for more posts like this.

A bad boss makes a great job feel like a dead end.
A great one will change your life.

Most of us have had both.

Coaching 100s of people into roles they loved 
has taught me that your manager matters more than: 

The company’s name.
The prestige.
The perks.

Because a great manager will:

✅ Open doors and networks you didn’t know existed
✅ Teach you how to advocate for yourself
✅ Protect your peace and your potential
✅ Turn “not ready” into “next in line”
✅ Help you earn more. Faster

The bad ones?

❌ Block your growth
❌ Undermine your ideas
❌ Erode your confidence
❌ Take credit for your work
❌ Convince you to play small

So, don’t just interview for roles.
Start interviewing for managers.

Ask them:

✅ How do you approach feedback and development?
✅ What's one win from someone you’ve mentored?
✅ How do you support your team’s growth?

Then, watch for red flags:

❌ Blame former employees
❌ Don’t ask about your goals
❌ They dominate the conversation

One great manager can reshape your confidence, 
career, and earning power.

So yes... benefits matter.

But the right person will take you further 
than any job title ever will.

Know someone who’s made that difference?

Tag them below. 👇

Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network.
And give me a follow for more posts like this.

Bad_Manager_vs._Great_Manager

I see people spend 20 hours perfecting their resume.

Then blow the interview in 20 seconds.

After coaching 300+ professionals into $200K+ roles, I've seen the same pattern:

They know WHAT to say.
They don't know HOW to say it.

Here's the truth:
AI is a huge advantage for jobseekers.
It's replacing outdated interview prep.
Making it way better.

The people landing dream roles aren't smarter.
They're using AI to practice scenarios you'll actually face.

Take this prompt that helped a client land a VP role at Microsoft:

"My potential weakness is [X]. Create an authentic response that shows self-awareness, growth mindset, and proactive improvement. Include specific actions I've taken."

Or this one that generated a $40K higher offer:

"I'm interviewing for [role] at [company]. Market rate is $[X]. Generate 3 counter-offer data points and negotiation phrases that maintain the relationship while maximizing value."

These aren't generic templates.
They're precision tools for high-stakes conversations.

While others memorize canned answers, you're building dynamic responses.

While they hope for easy questions, you're ready for curveballs.

While they accept first offers, you're negotiating with data.

The gap between good and great isn't talent.
It's preparation.

And preparation is now 10x easier with AI.

Your competition is still using 2010 strategies for 2025 opportunities.

That's your advantage.

Every interview has predictable moments:
• The weakness question
• The salary discussion  
• The "why should we hire you"
• The cultural fit probe

Master these moments and you'll dramatically increase your chances of landing the offer.

That's exactly what we do in my Career Leap program.

I'm taking on 5 people this month who are serious about landing $200K-$500K roles using AI-driven prep that actually works.

If that's you: https://lnkd.in/gCKpEsYg

I can tell when someone's networking out of desperation.

So can everyone else.

Here's the pattern I see after coaching 300+ people:

Most people only reach out when they need something.

They lead with what they want, not what they offer.

They disappear the second they land a role.

Then 24 months later? They're back. And it's obvious.

Look - if you need a job right now, you still need to network. I get it.

But HOW you do it makes all the difference.

The people landing $200K+ roles (even when they're actively searching)?

They network differently.

They still give value even while asking for help.

They're genuinely curious about the other person.

They build real relationships, not transactional connections.

Things like:
→ Targeting weak ties (research shows 70% of jobs come through loose connections)
→ Asking for advice instead of "are you hiring?" (opens way more doors)
→ Mastering the 30-minute coffee chat framework that feels like a conversation, not an interview

I put together 10 specific strategies in the graphic below 👇

Whether you're happily employed or actively searching, these work.

The difference is: one group builds relationships as insurance. The other builds them as lifelines.

Both work. One's just a lot less stressful.

Start today: Pick 3 people you haven't talked to in 6+ months and send them something useful.

An article. A congrats on a win. A simple "thinking of you.”

No ask. Just value. 

That's how you build a network that's there when you actually need it.

Good people don’t quit jobs.

They quit environments that drain them.

Here’s what’s really driving them away:

➔ Toxic cultures
➔ Micromanagers
➔ Burnout schedules
➔ Lack of growth
➔ Feeling undervalued

7 ways companies can build a workplace 
people don’t want to leave:

1. Build Trust
↳ Trust is the foundation of any great team.
↳ Without it, people feel insecure and undervalued.

2. Foster Growth
↳ Offer opportunities for learning and development.
↳ Encourage employees to take on new challenges.

3. Show Appreciation
↳ Regularly acknowledge and reward contributions.
↳ A simple thank-you can go a long way.

4. Create a Positive Culture
↳ Promote a healthy work-life balance.
↳ Encourage collaboration and open communication.

5. Avoid Micromanagement
↳ Give employees the autonomy to do their jobs.
↳ Trust their expertise and judgment.

6. Prevent Burnout
↳ Monitor workloads and encourage breaks.
↳ Provide resources for mental health support.

7. Value Contributions
↳ Make sure everyone knows their work matters.
↳ Celebrate successes, big and small.

Great teams don’t just hire talent,
They create spaces where people thrive.

Bad environments push people out, no matter how good 
the job looks on paper.

Let’s build workplaces people don’t want to leave!

Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network.
And give me a follow for more posts like this.

You don’t get what you deserve.
You get what you negotiate.
And most people negotiate poorly.

Staying silent can cost you up to $1.5 million over your career.

After coaching hundreds of professionals into $200k+ roles, here’s what I’ve learned:

Most people don’t get underpaid because they lack experience.
They get underpaid because they use language that weakens their leverage.

One weak phrase can cost you $50k+ instantly…and that compounds over time.

❌ Lower raises
❌ Smaller bonuses
❌ Less equity

Your negotiation language sets the baseline for everything that follows.

If you catch yourself saying things like “I’m flexible on compensation,” stop right there.

Here are 3 powerful phrase swaps that changed the game for my clients:

❌ Never: “I just really need this job.”
✅ Instead: “I’m excited about the opportunity and want to ensure compensation aligns with the value I bring.”

❌ Never: “I’m currently making X at my job.”
✅ Instead: “Based on market data for similar roles, I’m seeing a range of X–Y. How does that align with your budget?”

❌ Never: “I’d be willing to take less to get started.”
✅ Instead: “I’m very interested in this position and would like to work together to finalize the compensation.”

See the difference?

You’re not being difficult.
You’re being clear.

You’re not demanding more.
You’re defining your worth.

Weak phrases cost you for decades.
Strong language changes everything.

Reshare ♻️ to help someone avoid leaving money on the table.
Follow me for proven scripts, templates, and negotiation strategies.

($1.5M stat source: Forbes & Business Insider)

The worst 6 words you can say at the end of a job interview:

"No, I think you covered everything."

When it's your turn to ask questions, the interview's just getting good.

But 90% of candidates get this part wrong. 

They waste this golden opportunity on generic questions.

Or worse... they have nothing prepared at all.

The questions you ask reveal more about you than any answer you give.

Smart questions show:
→ Strategic thinking
→ Genuine interest  
→ Professional maturity
→ Cultural awareness
→ Long-term vision

But here's the real secret:

The RIGHT questions help you avoid the WRONG jobs.

Think about it.

- 90,000 hours at work over your career
- 1/3 of your waking life
- Your mental health, growth, and happiness on the line

Yet most people spend more time researching their next phone than their next employer.

The best candidates flip the script.

They interview the company as much as the company interviews them.

Questions like:

"What do new hires usually find surprising after they start?"

"How is employee feedback gathered, and when has it led to real change?"

"What's something you wish more people asked about before joining?"

These aren't just questions.
They're strategic intel gathering.

Because the answers tell you:
- What they're hiding in the job description
- Whether leaders actually listen
- If the culture matches the marketing
- How much autonomy you'll really have
- Whether you'll thrive or just survive

Great companies love these questions.
Bad companies get uncomfortable.

That tells you everything you need to know.

Your interview questions are your preview of the next 5 years.
Make them count.

What question do you always ask in interviews?

Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network.
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Top 12 Questions to Ask Your Job Interviewer

I stopped asking “What’s the culture like?” in job interviews.

Not because culture doesn’t matter.
It determines everything — your growth, confidence, stress, performance, and well-being.

I stopped asking it because it never reveals the truth.

Ask any hiring manager and you’ll hear the same three lines:

“Collaborative.”
“Innovative.”
“Like family.”

Vague. Rehearsed. Meaningless.

If you want real insight, you need questions that force specifics — not slogans.
Questions that uncover actual behavior, not branding.

Here are 12 that expose what it’s really like to work somewhere:

“What surprised new hires in their first 3 months?”
 ↳ Hesitation or generic answers = hidden chaos.

“Can you give me an example of someone who grew here?”
 ↳ They should name names, not speak in theory.

“What employee feedback turned into real changes?”
 ↳ No examples means your voice won’t matter.

“How are achievements celebrated here?”
 ↳ Only sales wins = limited recognition.

“How does the team encourage different viewpoints?”
 ↳ Buzzwords without action = fake inclusivity.

“What does professional development look like in practice?”
 ↳ Ask for budgets and examples, not promises.

“How does information flow between leadership and teams?”
 ↳ One-way communication kills trust.

“When did your values guide a tough decision?”
 ↳ If they can’t recall one, the values don’t matter.

“What’s changed since you started working here?”
 ↳ No change = stagnation.

“How can I understand how people think here?”
 ↳ Being caught off guard = culture isn’t intentional.

“What happens when someone makes a mistake?”
 ↳ Fear-based answers reveal toxicity instantly.

“What would your team say about you?”
 ↳ Discomfort here is a major red flag.

The best companies don’t have perfect answers.
But they do have leaders who:

- Lean forward when you ask
- Share specifics, not slogans
- Name real people and real examples
- Admit where they’re improving
- Aren’t threatened by honest conversations

The worst companies?

They hide behind mission statements.
They dodge specifics.
They get defensive.
They try to sound “fine.”

Remember: You’re not just interviewing for a job.
You’re interviewing for the next 2,000 hours of your life.

Ask the questions most people are too afraid to ask.
You deserve real answers.

What question would you add?

–

📌 P.S. If you’re interviewing right now and want help landing a better role and a healthier team environment, my Job Search Accelerator walks you through the exact system my clients use to get more interviews, evaluate companies clearly, and secure stronger offers.

If you want support, fill this out before we talk → https://lnkd.in/gHdjzb4d

6-figure offers don't go to the best candidates.

They go to the ones who follow a system, not luck.

Applying to jobs feels like shouting into a void.
Recruiters get 250+ applications for every role.

Your resume has 6 seconds to make an impact.
But there's a better way to stand out.

After helping 300+ professionals land amazing roles, 
I've noticed a pattern:

The most successful job seekers aren't 
using the same LinkedIn as everyone else.

They're using these 5 proven hacks that most people miss:

1️⃣ Your profile is your sales page, not your resume

Headline: Role + industry Focus + your Impact
About: Tell us who you are, what you do, why it matters
Featured: Showcase wins with real evidence

2️⃣ One good comment can outperform ten average posts

Comment on executives' content (they notice)
Add genuine insight to show your credibility.
Ask a thoughtful question to build a relationship

3️⃣ Consistency beats viral content every time

LinkedIn rewards weekly posters with 5X more 
profile views and 7X more connections. 

Your formula:

Start with a valuable insight
Add a quick personal example
End with a simple call-to-action

4️⃣ The DM template that gets 50%+ response rates:

"Hey [Name], I saw your post on [topic]. 
Really resonated with your take. 
I've worked on something similar, 
curious how your team is approaching [X] right now?"

5️⃣ The hidden "Open to Work" hack

Set your status to "Recruiters Only" - 
you'll get the algorithm boost 
without broadcasting to your network.

The job market has SERIOUSLY changed.
97% of recruiters find talent on LinkedIn, not job boards.

Most still apply the old way and remain invisible.
While others wait for luck to strike, you need to be creating your own opportunities.

These 5 hacks are your system for standing out.
→ Your strategy beats talent every time.

Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network.
And give me a follow for more posts like this.

This right here is why I tell my coaching clients to spend as much time interviewing the manager as they do interviewing for the role.

The quality of your manager directly impacts your growth trajectory.

In my career, I've seen all three types:

1. Bad bosses who held me back, refusing to acknowledge my potential.

2. Good bosses who helped me grow within their organization, creating paths for me to learn new skills.

3. And great bosses who supported me even when my growth meant moving on. One even helped me network for my next role because she knew it was the right step for me.

When interviewing, ask these revealing questions:

↳ "How many people on your team have been promoted in the last year?"
↳ "Can you share an example of someone who left your team for a better opportunity?"
↳ "What's your philosophy on developing people who might eventually outgrow their roles?"

Their answers will tell you everything.

Remember: You're not just choosing a job, you're choosing a boss who will either accelerate or stall your career.

Who's had a great boss who encouraged their growth, even when it meant leaving?

——

Reshare ♻️ if you've been fortunate enough to work for a leader like this.
And follow me for more career advice like this.

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The Battle

Dave Kline

Reno Perry

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The Battle

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Reno Perry

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