Your success, my mission | 3x founder & CEO | Former CIO $4B company | DEIB ally | Sharing 24 years of hard-earned leadership & self-mastery wisdom

My purpose is to inspire and empower individuals to unleash their potential and create a positive impact in the world.

I believe success is a byproduct of helping others, and the best leaders create other leaders.

When you:
set a clear vision,
lead by example, and
empower your people,
they give you their best
and you all win together.

🔭 Former Corporate Exec | 🌱 Entrepreneur | 💡 Founder | 📚 Lifelong Learner

After 22 years of corporate life and reaching the pinnacle, I stepped off the high-wire to begin a new chapter.

Trading the executive suite of a $4B global powerhouse for the excitement of entrepreneurship, I'm now spreading knowledge, innovation, and transformation.

Through 5 major career transitions, I evolved from a VP of Marketing & Sales to Division President, and ultimately, CIO.

But behind every business transaction, there's a face. I firmly believe that people are the heart and soul of any endeavor. I owe my success to the great teams I've been a part of and the wise mentors who guided me. My advice for aspiring leaders:

Be bold.
Be curious.
Be authentic.
Be respectful.
Be transparent.
Be growth-minded.
And success will follow.

Today, as an entrepreneur, I've swapped corporate structure for startup passion, partnering with my wife as co-owners of a holding company, founding multiple business ventures, crafting 3 new brands, consulting growing companies, and extending my love of mentoring into coaching.

In between, you’ll find me nurturing my four personal passions: learning, writing, traveling, and gardening. They keep me rooted and help me grow. After all, isn't life one big, beautiful garden? Here’s to growing together! 🌱

Justin Wright

9 seconds could change your life.

That's how long it takes to make a choice that
defines your character.

I once worked with someone who taught me this lesson.

Aaron was always the first to help, even when no one
was watching.

He'd stay late to finish a project, refusing to cut corners.

In meetings, he'd give credit to others before himself.

One day, I asked him why he bothered.

His answer stuck with me:

"If you can't be trusted with the small stuff,
how can anyone trust you with the big stuff?"

He was right.

Good character isn't about:
— Grand gestures
— Public recognition
— Doing the right thing when it's easy

It's about:
— Quiet integrity
— Consistent kindness
— Doing the right thing, especially when it's hard

The truth is, we all face character tests daily:
— Do we own up to mistakes?
— Do we gossip about a coworker?
— Do we help without expecting anything?

These small decisions shape who we become.

Remember:

Your character is your real resume.

It's what people say about you when
you're not in the room.

So, next time you're faced with a choice,
take those 9 seconds. Make them count.

Build a character that makes you proud.

Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts below.

♻️ Repost to inspire someone in your network. Thanks!

Your success, my mission | CEO @ Polished Carbon | Former CIO $4B company | DEIB ally | Sharing 25 years of hard-won wisdom on people-first leadership + emotional intelligence + self-mastery

98% of successful people share this 1 thing:


Someone who believed in them before they "made it."

Think about that for a moment.

Behind every success story is someone who:

➟ Saw the spark early
➟ Took a chance
➟ Opened a door
➟ Stood up and said "I believe in them"

These people change lives.

Sometimes it's a manager who gives you that first shot at leadership.

Sometimes it's a mentor who says "You can do this" when you're ready to quit.

They see your potential.

Not your resume.
Not your track record.
Just pure, raw potential.

And here's the beautiful thing:

You can be that person for someone else.

Look around your workplace:

Who needs a chance?
Who shows up every day ready to learn?
Who has the right attitude but lacks experience?

Don't wait for others to discover them.

Be the one who says "I see something in you."
Be the one who takes a chance.
Be the one they remember years from now.

Because success isn't just about what you achieve.
It's about who you help achieve their dreams.

Who believed in you? And more importantly...

Who needs you to believe in them today?

♻️ Repost to inspire someone in your network.

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Most people never realize they're terrible listeners
until it costs them something important.

A promotion they deserved.
A relationship that mattered.
A team that stopped being honest with them.

I've watched leaders lose talented people
not because of strategy or compensation,
but because their team never felt heard.

And I've been that leader.

My wife will tell you I've perfected the art of
nodding while mentally drafting emails.

She's called me out more than once for
asking a question she literally just answered.

"Were you even listening?"

The honest answer? No.

I was performing listening while planning
something else.

Real listening happens in layers.
Most of us get stuck at the surface.

Level 1: Waiting to Talk
You're silent, but your mind is rehearsing your
response. The other person can feel it.

Level 2: Hearing Words
You catch fragments. You nod at the right moments.
But you're mentally somewhere else.

Level 3: Understanding the Message
You're actually focused. You listen to comprehend,
not to counter. This is where most people think
they've arrived. (They haven't.)

Level 4: Recognizing Emotions
You read between the lines. You notice the frustration
behind "I'm fine" or the fear behind "I'm not sure."

Level 5: Hearing What's Unsaid
You're fully present. You catch the hesitation,
the shift in tone, the thing they're struggling
to express.

The leaders who operate at level 5 don't just
hear problems faster. They prevent them entirely.

They build the kind of trust that makes
hard conversations possible.

They create environments where people speak up
before small issues become disasters.

Getting to level 5 doesn't require new skills.

Just caring enough to shut up and pay attention.

I'm still working on this.
Some days I nail it.

Other days my wife gives me that look
that says "you did it again."

Next time someone's talking to you,
notice where your mind goes.

Notice if you're crafting your response
while they're mid-sentence.

That self-awareness alone will change
how you lead.

♻️ Repost to help someone become a better listener.

P.S. Want a PDF of my 99 best cheat sheets?
Get them free: brilliancebrief.com

Happy at work? These 8 phrases might be why.

The culture can make your job fulfilling or draining.

In a healthy culture, certain phrases stand out.

They reflect values like:

➟ Trust 
➟ Growth 
➟ Respect 
➟ Recognition

When you hear these phrases, you feel valued.

You feel safe to share ideas and learn from mistakes.

You feel supported to collaborate and succeed.

These phrases create a positive environment.
One where people lift each other up.

A healthy workplace culture is powerful.
It starts with the words leaders choose.

Leaders, choose phrases that:

➟ Build trust
➟ Empower
➟ Inspire
➟ Unite

Words have the power to shape your team's success.

Use them wisely.
Use them often.

And always be sincere.

Be the leader who brings out greatness.

♻️ Agree? Repost to inspire someone in your network.

P.S. What phrase would you add to the list?

I used to think teamwork was just about
getting things done. Boy, was I wrong.

In my first leadership role, I pushed hard.

We hit every deadline.
But the energy was off.

People looked drained.
Disconnected.

Done, but not proud.

That’s when it hit me:

A group of people working together isn’t a team.
It’s just individuals sharing a calendar.

Real teams are built on something deeper:
✅ Trust that has your back
✅ Respect that values your voice
✅ Care that sees you as a person (not just an employee)

So I changed how I showed up.

I started listening more.
Asking questions that weren’t about work.
Showing appreciation without a reason.

The outcome?
More ideas
More smiles
More support

And yes, more results.
 
We weren’t just working together.
We were in it together.

Look...

You can force people to collaborate.
But you can’t force them to care.

That part is earned.
By how you show up.

True teams are built on relationships, not just results.

What’s your #1 tip for building real team trust?

♻️ Enjoy this? Repost to help a leader in your network.

To me, leadership is about believing in people.

It's looking for the best in them, and giving them
opportunities to show it.

Celebrating their wins as if they were your own.

Success comes from lifting others up.

A leader's true impact is seen in their team's growth.

Help others win.
Cheer for them along the way.

It doesn't take away from you.
It adds to you.

A leader's superpower is to bring out
the superpowers in others.

When you lift others, you rise too.

♻️ Agree? Repost to help others be better leaders.

Less than 25% of leaders show authenticity consistently.

A leader's style can be the difference between:
An employee quitting their dream job,
or growing into their true potential.

Most leaders obsess over what they accomplish.
Few pay attention to how they show up.

In my 24 years in business, I've learned:

True leadership isn't about perfection.
It's all about connection.

Own your vulnerability.
Admit when you're wrong.
Ask for help when you need it.

It's okay to be human.

Think about the best leader you ever had.

I bet they made you feel:

➟ Heard
➟ Valued
➟ Capable

That's the power of authentic leadership.

It's not about having all the answers.
It's about being real. Building trust. Inspiring growth.

Maya Angelou was right:

"People will forget what you said,
they'll forget what you did,
but they'll never forget
how you made them feel."

Be the leader who brings out the best in others.

Not by demanding perfection,
but by showing what's possible through authenticity.

The best part?

You already have everything you need.

Just be you.

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Thank you!

The moment fear enters your workplace,
something valuable walks out.

I see it in workplaces everywhere.

⛔ A leader who rules by intimidation.
⛔ A team that's too afraid to innovate.
⛔ Meetings filled with silence instead of ideas.

When you manage by fear:
• People focus on avoiding mistakes
• Energy goes to self-protection
• Growth becomes impossible

This isn't leadership. It's control.

True leaders understand that:
✅ Support produces better results than threats
✅ Kindness builds stronger teams than fear
✅ EQ spots problems before they grow

The numbers back this up.

Teams led with empathy consistently:
• Solve problems more creatively
• Perform better under pressure
• Adapt to change faster
• Stay together longer

Fear might get short-term compliance.
But it kills long-term excellence.

The choice is simple.

Lead with fear, and watch people shrink.
Lead with heart, and watch them soar.

Your team is capable of brilliance.
But only when they're not afraid to shine.

♻️ Repost if this resonates with you.
Thank you!

Trust is a leader's only real job.

Not strategy. Not vision. Not goals.

Trust.

You can have the best plans in the world.
But if your people don't trust you.
They won't follow you.

If they don't trust each other.
They won't collaborate.

And without trust,
even brilliant strategies
produce mediocre results.

I've seen it happen.

A team with all the talent in the world.
Great ideas. Clear direction.
But no trust.

So people held back.

Played it safe.
Watched their own backs.
Nothing moved forward.

Trust is the multiplier.
Without it, everything else falls flat.

Here's how great leaders build it:

1. Do what you say you'll do.
Always.
Consistent actions speak volumes.

2. Own it when you're wrong.
Your team already knows.
Admitting it builds respect.

3. Share information freely.
Hoarding it creates suspicion.
Transparency creates safety.

4. Have hard conversations early.
Avoiding them erodes trust.
Having them with compassion build it.

5. Back your people publicly.
Defend them when they're not in the room.

6. Give credit generously.
Take blame personally.
This is non-negotiable.

7. Be consistent.
Predictability isn't boring.
It's the foundation of psychological safety.

Your people are always watching.

Not what you say. What you do.

Lead with trust. Everything else follows.

What would you add to this list?
Let's learn from each other.

♻️ Repost to help a leader in your network.
Thanks!

You can't control much in life,
but these 22 things you always can:

1. Your Attitude
Opt for a positive outlook.
 
2. Your Integrity
Stick to your values, even when it's hard.
 
3. Your Courage
Face your fears and grow.
 
4. Your Kindness
A small act can change someone's day.
 
5. Your Influence
Be the leader you'd follow.
 
6. Your Actions
Make decisions you'll be proud of later.
 
7. Your Boundaries
Say no when you need to.
 
8. Your Effort
Push through when it gets tough.

9. Your Circle
Surround yourself with supportive people.
 
10. Your Self-Belief
Believe you can, and you will.
 
11. Your Excuses
Kill them before they kill your dreams.
 
12. Your Goals
Set them high, but achievable.
 
13. Your Focus
Choose where you direct your attention.
 
14. Your Limits
Break them, then set new ones.
 
15. Your Time
Prioritize what matters most to you.
 
16. Your Words
Speak positively to yourself and others.
 
17. Your Self-Care
Make time for yourself every day.
 
18. Your Silence
Speak up, even when it's unpopular.
 
19. Your Inner Critic
Put it in its place.
 
20. Your Mindset
Shift from fixed to growth thinking.
 
21. Your Purpose
Align your actions with your mission.
 
22. Your Gratitude
Count your blessings, no matter how small.

Your power starts and ends with you 💪.

Master these... and your world transforms.

You're not a passenger in life.
You're the driver.

P.S. Which of the 22 is most important to you?
Any I missed that you'd add?

♻️ If this resonates with you, repost for others too.
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This teacher does something that puts most leaders to shame.

Every morning, she stands at her classroom door.
Each student gets to choose how they're greeted.

A hug.
A bow.
A high-five.
A fist bump.
A silly dance.

17 kids. 17 different preferences. Zero assumptions.

She doesn't greet them the way she wants.
She greets them the way they need.

That's emotional intelligence in action.

It starts with curiosity.

Caring enough to learn what each person needs.
Not treating everyone the same.
Treating each as an individual.

The best leaders I know do this:
They learn each person's "greeting."

They ask:
→ How do you prefer to receive feedback?
→ What does support look like for you?
→ How do you want your wins celebrated?

It takes more effort than a one-size-fits-all approach.

But it builds something you can't fake:
Trust.

When people feel seen as individuals,
(not just workers filling a role)
they show up differently.

They give more.
They stay longer.
They fight for your success.

Emotional intelligence isn't a soft skill.

It's a leadership superpower.

♻️ Repost to help leaders in your network.

(Video credit: Unknown)

Brutal truth: Your customer experience will never
exceed your employee experience.

Most leaders get it backward.

They obsess over customer satisfaction while
their teams burn out in the background.

25 years in business have taught me one thing
more than anything else:

Your customers will never be happier than your people.

Think about it.

Who's answering that support call at 8pm?
Who's staying late to fix that urgent problem?
Who's going above and beyond for your clients?

Your team.

And when they feel

➟ Undervalued
➟ Underpaid
➟ Unheard

That energy shows up in every customer interaction.

I learned this the hard way at a previous company.

We lost 3 top performers in one month.

Customer complaints doubled.
Response times tripled.
Revenue took a hit.

So we flipped our priorities:

✓ Team wellbeing before quarterly targets
✓ Investment in people before new tech
✓ Flexibility before rigid policies
✓ Recognition before criticism

The results?
Customer satisfaction hit record highs.
Employee turnover dropped 90%.
Profits followed naturally.

Look... your employees are your first customers.

When you take care of them,
they take care of everything else.

Start there. Always start there.

♻️ Repost to help others build a positive culture.
Thanks!

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Great leaders change lives.

12 things that make them memorable:

1. They Believe in You
↳ They see the potential you may not see in yourself.

2. They Trust You
↳ They give you the freedom to learn and grow.

3. They Lead by Example
↳ They show you the way through their own actions.

4. They Listen With Empathy
↳ They listen to understand, not just to reply.

5. They Respect Your Personal Life
↳ They value your time outside of work.

6. They Offer You Flexibility
↳ They make it easier to manage your responsibilities.

7. They Welcome Your Ideas
↳ They encourage you to share your perspective.

8. They Invest in Your Growth
↳ They support your development and career growth.

9. They Give You Honest Feedback
↳ Their constructive guidance helps you improve.

10. They Challenge You to Be Your Best
↳ They push you to stretch and reach your potential.

11. They Forgive Your Mistakes
↳ They create a safe environment for you and your team.

12. They Admit When They're Wrong
↳ They take responsibility for their mistakes.

Great leaders are human too.

They have bad days and make mistakes.

But you know they genuinely care about you.

They inspire you to be a better version of yourself.

If you've had a leader like this, you know how valuable they are.

They're the ones you remember long after you've moved on.

And if you're a leader now, be one like this for others.

Agree? Repost to share with your network ♻️. Thanks!

P.S. Know a leader like this? Tag them in the comments.

Want PDFs of my 99 best cheat sheets?
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9 mindsets I see in every successful person:

They're not born with them.

They develop them through daily habits.

And you can too. Here's how:

1. Embrace curiosity.
↳ Ask questions. Invite new perspectives.
↳ Learning isn't a phase. It's a lifelong pursuit.

2. Focus on solutions.
↳ When problems arise, take a breath.
↳ Then ask: What can I do to fix this?

3. Reframe failure.
↳ Setbacks happen. Success is how you respond.
↳ Persistence beats talent every time.

4. Prioritize ruthlessly.
↳ Set clear goals. Say no to distractions.
↳ Consistency compounds. Small steps = big results.

5. Be resilient.
↳ Challenges will come. Prepare yourself mentally.
↳ When they hit, dig deep. Stay strong.

6. Seek wisdom.

↳ Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
↳ Listen to their stories. Learn from their mistakes.

7. Invest in yourself.
↳ Your health is your greatest asset.
↳ Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

8. Keep your commitments.
↳ Long-term success is built on integrity.
↳ Do what you say. Show up on time.

9. Take responsibility. Give gratitude.
↳ Own your life. Your wins. Your losses.
↳ And be thankful for all of it.

Mindset is a choice.

You can't control everything that happens.
But you can always control your response.

Success is the sum of your daily choices.

It's not easy. But it's always worth it.

Agree? Repost to share with others ♻️.

P.S. Which trait do you see as most important?

Want PDFs of my 99 best cheat sheets?
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Your mindset decides your success.

I used to think success was about
skills and strategy.

Then I watched brilliant people fail
while "average" ones soared.

The difference? Their mindset.

6 steps to build a success mindset that works:

1. Know yourself. Really know yourself.
What lights you up?
What drains your energy?
Where are you holding back?

2. Get crystal clear on your non-negotiables.
These aren't just boundaries.
They're your compass for every decision.

Most people stop here. But there's more.

3. Master the 80/20 rule.
Focus on the few things that create real impact.
Cut the busywork that keeps you stuck.

4. Learn to say "no" without guilt.
Every "yes" to something unimportant
is a "no" to something that matters.

5. Choose your circle carefully.
The right people challenge you to grow.
The wrong ones keep you comfortable.

And here's the big one:

6. Show up. Especially when it's hard.
When motivation fades (it will),
let discipline carry you forward.

Small steps on tough days build
the resilience others envy.

Remember:

Your mindset isn't just how you think.
It's how you show up every day.

That's how you build success that lasts.

Make 2026 the year you master your mindset.

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Bad leaders think they wear a crown.
Good leaders wear a hat.
Great leaders?

They wear 10.

Because your team doesn't need just one kind of support.

They need the right kind. At the right time.

That’s what great leaders understand.
They don’t cling to one identity.
They adapt. They serve.

They know when to wear:

1/ The Mentor
➟ Share wisdom without preaching
➟ Guide, don’t control
➟ Help them find their own answers

2/ The Coach
➟ Spot potential before they do
➟ Push when they hesitate
➟ Invest in their growth

3/ The Defender
➟ Shield them from politics
➟ Fight the battles they shouldn’t have to
➟ Protect without hovering

4/ The Translator
➟ Speak their language, not yours
➟ Bridge gaps between levels
➟ Simplify the complex

5/ The Cheerleader
➟ Spot the effort before the result
➟ Recognize in public, correct in private
➟ Make appreciation your daily habit

6/ The Therapist
➟ Hold space for human moments
➟ Listen before solving
➟ Show it's okay not to be okay

7/ The Janitor
➟ Clean up the mess without blame
➟ Fix first, debrief later
➟ Roll up sleeves when needed

8/ The Student
➟ Learn from everyone
➟ Admit when you don't know
➟ Make curiosity contagious

9/ The Mirror
➟ Reflect their best self back
➟ Show potential, not limits
➟ See who they're becoming

10/ The Compass
➟ Point to true north in chaos
➟ Stay steady when others panic
➟ Remind them of the why

Leadership isn't a rank or role.

It's how you treat people.
Your service. Your support.

You don't need a promotion.
You don't need permission.
You don't even need a title.

Just the courage to step up.
And serve.

Because the best leaders aren't wearing a crown.
They're switching hats.

One at a time.
Exactly when their team needs it most.

P.S. What did I miss? Which hat would you add?

♻️ Repost to help a leader in your network.
🔖 Follow Justin Wright for more on servant leadership.

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We obsess over numbers.
Revenue. Margins. Forecasts.
But the truth?

Business is 100% about people.

Yet most leaders still focus on:

KPIs
Metrics
Dashboards
Profit margins
Quarterly results

And they lose sight of the very thing
making those numbers possible:

People.

➟ The ones solving the problems
➟ Delivering those numbers
➟ Building the systems
➟ Closing the deals

Want your business to thrive?
Start with your people.

Show them you care about:

➟ Their growth
➟ Their dreams
➟ Their wellbeing
➟ Their challenges

Because when people feel valued as humans
(not just employees)...

➟ They bring their best work
➟ They go the extra mile
➟ They stay longer
➟ They care more

If you want people to care about your business,
show them first that you care about them as people.

Business is personal.
It always was.
It always will be.
(even with AI)

Lead with heart.
The results will follow.

P.S. Tag a leader who gets this.
♻️ Repost to inspire your network.

Kind leadership isn't soft.

It's the hardest kind there is.

I used to think being a kind boss meant avoiding hard conversations.

Letting things slide.
Keeping the peace.

I was wrong.

That's not kindness.
That's cowardice in disguise.

Real kindness requires courage.

The courage to tell someone the truth they need to hear.

The courage to protect your team's time when everyone wants a piece of it.

The courage to sit with someone in their mess instead of disappearing.

9 Signs of a Kind Leader:

1. They have hard conversations early (before small issues become big problems)

2. They share their own failures (because vulnerability builds trust better than "faking" perfection)

3. They listen to understand, not to respond (put the phone down)

4. They shine the spotlight on others (and stay in the shadows themselves)

5. They cancel the meetings that waste everyone's time (and defend their team's focus)

6. They show up when things fall apart (not just when things go well)

7. They expect excellence AND provide the support to achieve it

8. They know their people as humans first (not just job titles)

9. They grow people who don't need them anymore (that's the goal)

And the hardest part is...

Kind leadership means putting someone else's growth above your own comfort.

Most leaders won't do it.

It's easier to bark orders.
Demand results.
Take credit.

But those "leaders" wonder why their best people leave.

Kind leaders build teams that stay, grow, and thrive.

Choose your legacy wisely.

Because people will forget your title.

They'll never forget how you made them feel.

P.S. Know a kind leader? Tag them in the comments.

♻️ Repost to inspire a leader in your network.

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Leadership isn't about your title.
It's about how you make people feel.

11 signs you're a leader others (actually) want to follow:

01/ You defend them when they're not in the room.
02/ You give credit in public and coach in private.
03/ You fight battles they don't even know about.
04/ You shut down toxicity before it spreads.
05/ You see their potential before they do.
06/ You make their success your priority.
07/ You stay kind when times get tough.
08/ You apologize when you mess up.
09/ You show up when it matters.
10/ You let them outgrow you.
11/ You keep your promises.

I've known "leaders" with fancy titles
who made me feel invisible.

And others who led by influence 
and changed entire careers.

The difference?

One cared about their position.
The other cared about their people.

Here's what real leaders know:

Your team's success is your success.
Their growth is your legacy.
Their trust is what makes you a leader.

Not your title.

Be the leader who makes people believe
in themselves.

That's the kind of impact that lasts forever.

♻️ Repost to inspire a leader in your network.

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The most powerful thing a leader ever said to me
was 5 words.

"I think you'll do great."
That's it.

No long speech. No formal meeting.

Just a quick comment before I walked
into my first big presentation.

I was terrified.
700 pairs of eyes on me.

But my boss saw something different.

He didn't just say "good luck."
He said "I think you'll do great."

And something shifted.

I stood a little taller.
Spoke a little clearer.
Believed a little more.

That presentation changed my career.
Not because I was ready.
Because someone believed I was.

That's the day I learned...

Your belief in someone can unlock
what they can't see in themselves.

You see, belief is contagious.

Behind every confident, successful person
is someone who believed in them first.

When someone believes in you,
you start believing in yourself.

And when you believe in yourself,
you become unstoppable.

Think about who gave you that gift.

A parent. A coach. A boss. A friend.

Someone who saw your potential before you did.

Now think about who needs that from you.

Who's waiting for permission to believe in themselves?

Who needs to hear "I think you'd be great"?

You have that power.
Use it.

Lift someone up today.

Watch what happens when they finally see what you see.

It might just change their life.

Like it changed mine.

P.S. Know a leader like this?
Tag them in the comments.

♻️  Repost to inspire a leader who needs to hear this.
Thank you!

#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 The Top Career Coach Worldwide On LinkedIn | 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%  
✓ 300M+ content views helping job seekers  
✓ Featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider  
✓ Built my own 7-figure business using these exact strategies
✓ Ranked the top job search coach on LinkedIn (#1 in the U.S. and Worldwide by Favikon)  

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

Before you say yes to the job offer... 

9 real signs a company values their people:

↳ Transparency in Action
• Regular town halls with honest financial updates
• Clear communication about company direction
• Open discussions about challenges and wins

↳ Feedback That Creates Change
• Employee suggestions become actual policies
• Regular pulse surveys with published results
• Visible improvements based on team input

↳ Recognition That Matters
• Spot bonuses for exceptional work
• Public acknowledgment of contributions
• Peer recognition programs that work

↳ Market-Leading Compensation
• Regular market adjustments without asking
• Equity at all levels
• Benefits that actually support life needs

↳ Real Growth Investment
• Dedicated L&D budgets
• Clear promotion paths
• Internal mobility programs that work

↳ Work-Life Integration
• Unlimited PTO with minimum requirements
• Mental health support
• No-meeting days

↳ True Inclusive Culture
• ERGs with executive sponsors
• Pay equity audits
• Diverse leadership at all levels

↳ Accessible Leadership
• Skip-level meetings
• Open office hours
• Transparent decision-making

↳ Trust & Autonomy
• Freedom to experiment
• Budget authority
• Flexible work arrangements

The difference? These aren't just policies.
They're actions I've seen work.

What would you add to this list?

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

#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.

73% of employers expect you to negotiate.
55% of professionals don’t.

That’s a costly silence.

Negotiation isn’t about being difficult.

It’s about showing up prepared and knowing your value.

Here's how to do it right:

1. Research what’s fair
↳ Know the going rate for your role and level.

2. Know your impact
↳ Have proof of what you’ve led, built, or improved.

3. Define your range
↳ Set your target and your bottom line.

4. Look beyond salary
↳ Include PTO, bonuses, equity, flexibility.

5. Practice out loud
↳ Once is better than never. Confidence shows.

Common missteps to avoid:

🚫 Accepting an offer on the spot
🚫 Leading with your lowest number
🚫 Ignoring the full compensation picture

Smarter ways to respond:

🗨 “Based on what I bring, let's revisit the package.”
🗨 “What flexibility is there in total compensation?”
🗨 “Thanks. Can I take some time to review this?”

Coaching 100s of people into roles they actually love 
has taught me: 

You don’t get what you deserve.
You get what you negotiate.

Your new boss is expecting it.
You just have to be ready.

🔖 Save this for when the offer comes in.
📤 Send it to someone who’s due for a raise.

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

(73%, 55% Stat Source: CareerBuilder)

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.

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

📌 Negotiation is just one piece of the bigger picture. Inside my Career Leap Accelerator, I help sr. level ICs and people leaders position themselves for high-level roles and navigate interviews, offers, and comp strategically. 

If you’re targeting a $200K+ role and want support at that level, fill out the short form in my Featured section and, if it’s a fit, we can talk.

I see people spend 20 hours perfecting their resume.

Then blow the interview in 20 seconds.

After coaching hundreds of 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 2026 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.

Doing well in interviews isn’t about memorizing answers.
It’s about preparing for the moments that actually decide offers.

That’s the work we do inside my Career Leap Job Search Accelerator.
I work with a handful of professionals each month who are targeting $200K–$500K roles and want to prepare at a higher level.

If that sounds like you, fill out the short form in the featured section of my profile to book a strategy call to learn more.

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.

📌 P.S. This is exactly the kind of strategic networking I help clients build inside my Job Search Accelerator. We focus on outreach that compounds over time and leads to senior-level opportunities.

If you’re targeting a $200K–$500K role and want to approach your job search more intentionally, fill out the short form in my Featured section and if it’s a fit, we’ll talk.

Most candidates lose interviews even when their answers are “right.”

Here’s why.

Good candidates just answer questions.

The ones who get hired answer what's really being asked.

Coaching 100s of professionals into roles they love has taught me:

Every interview question has a hidden concern behind it.

Here's how to translate the questions into what they actually want to know:

❌ "Tell me about yourself."
✅ Can you connect your story to this role?

❌ "Why should we hire you?"
✅ What makes you stand out from everyone else?

❌ "Why are you leaving your current role?"
✅ Are you moving toward growth, or running from problems?

❌ "What's your greatest weakness?"
✅ Do you know your gaps and are you actively improving?

❌ "Tell me about a challenge you faced."
✅ Will you fix problems or just complain?

❌ "How do you handle pressure?"
✅ Will you deliver or fall apart when things get crazy?

❌ "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
✅ Will you stick around if we invest in you?

❌ "What are your salary expectations?"
✅ Are we aligned on compensation?

❌ "Do you have any questions for us?"
✅ Did you research us, or could we be any company?

❌ "We'll be in touch."
✅ I haven't decided. Your follow-up could tip the scale.

And remember:
Great interviews aren't about giving perfect answers.

They're about showing you understand what really matters to them.

If you can hear the concern behind the question and speak to that....

You'll stop sounding like every other candidate.

And start sounding like the only candidate.

📌 P.S. Interview prep isn’t about memorizing answers. It’s about knowing how to think in the room. If you want support building that skill and targeting higher-level roles, check the Featured section of my profile for details on how I work with clients.

 What_Hiring_Managers_(Actually)_Mean

You checked all the boxes.

Salary. Title. The LinkedIn headline.

But something still felt off.

We’ve outgrown the old definition of success.
(And it’s about time.)

After coaching hundreds of professionals into
roles they actually love, one thing is clear:

The most fulfilled people?

They’re still ambitious.

But they’re aiming differently.

Here’s what they prioritize now:

1. Flexibility
→ Control over your time = real freedom
→ Autonomy fuels performance
→ It’s not a perk. It’s a priority.

2. Purpose
→ Your work should mean something
→ Impact > image
→ Purpose keeps you going when it gets hard

3. Work you enjoy
→ Energy is a signal (follow it)
→ Dreading Mondays isn’t normal
→ The everyday matters more than the highlight reel

4. Time for life
→ What’s success worth if you can’t enjoy it?
→ Space creates clarity (and longevity)
→ Your home life deserves your best.
Not your leftovers.

You can still aim high.
But you have to aim smart.

Make sure the target fits your life.
Not someone else’s.

What does success mean to you?

Wise words for those considering a change.

I took a pay cut to move into a new industry.

The result?

12 months later I 3x'd my previous salary.

4 years later, another 2x increase.

Worked for world-changing companies.

Met smart, incredible friends, mentors, colleagues.

Gained skills to start my own business and help others with their careers.

It was scary at first but it was an intelligent risk that paid off.

That was my choice but there are no "right" career paths.

What’s important is you do what’s best for you. 

Some questions to think about if you’re considering a change:

↳ What drives you? Are you chasing it in your current job?

↳ Long-term goals vs. current path - do they match up?

↳ Are you ready to leave your comfort zone for something new?

↳ How would you feel looking back in 5 years if you stayed in your current role versus making a change? What regrets might you have either way?

↳ What skills and experiences from your current role could transfer to your target industry in unexpected ways?

Whatever you decide...

Just make sure you're running your own race.

Not someone else's.

🏃

I’ve had jobs that look great on paper but still felt like I was in the wrong role. 

The smartest career move you can make this year?

Aligning your ambition with your energy.

If you're crushing goals but feeling completely off-track, you're not broken.

You're just misaligned.

I see this all the time with people “doing well”

Great title. Good money. Totally drained.

They think they need to blow up their career and start over.

But that's not it.

You don't need a career overhaul. You need realignment.

There's a Japanese concept called Ikigai - it means "reason for being."

It's basically the intersection of what you're great at, what energizes you, what pays well, and what fits your life.

I've adapted it into a career framework I use with clients to find that sweet spot.

It's four overlapping questions:

→ What are you trusted to deliver? (Your zone of mastery)
→ What would you do even if it didn't pay? (What drives you)
→ What's actually in demand? (Market reality)
→ What fits your life right now? (Not just your ambition)

The magic happens at the intersection.

That's where you get focus, clarity, and motivation without burning out.

I broke down the full framework in the graphic below 👇

Look at it. See where you're strong. Notice where you're missing.

That gap? That's what's making you feel off.

—

P.S. This kind of clarity work is what we do with clients inside my Job Search Accelerator. I help professionals align their skills, ambition, and energy so their next role actually compounds their career. 

If you want to explore working together, you can apply and book a strategy call here: https://lnkd.in/gCKpEsYg

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Justin Wright

Reno Perry

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