Dorie Clark

Harvard Business Review

Your personal goals need a long-term strategy. It's no secret that we're pushed to the limit. Today's professionals feel rushed, overwhelmed, and perennially behind. So we keep our heads down, focused on the next thing, and the next, without a moment to breathe. How can we break out of this endless cycle and create the kind of interesting, meaningful lives we all seek? Just as CEOs who optimize for quarterly profits often fail to make the strategic investments necessary for long-term growth, the same is true in our own personal and professional lives. We need to reorient ourselves to see the big picture so we can tap into the power of small changes that, made today, will have an enormous and disproportionate impact on our future success. We need to start playing The Long Game.

Author, The Long Game

I'm the author of Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Revenue Streams, and Thrive, from Harvard Business Review Press. It's a book about how to think more entrepreneurially and prepare yourself for success in the modern economy. Inc. was kind enough to call it "one of the most important books of the year" and Forbes named it one of their Top 5 Business Books of the Year.

Author, Entrepreneurial You

I write frequently for the Harvard Business Review and have contributed well over 200 articles since 2010. My posts and articles are available here: https://hbr.org/search?term=dorie+clark

Contributor

I'm the author of "Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future" ((Harvard Business Review Press, April 2013). Reinventing You talks about personal branding, professional reinvention, and how to take charge of one's reputation in the workplace. It has been translated into Russian, Chinese, Arabic, French, Polish, and Thai.

Author, Reinventing You

Thinkers50

I've been named one of the Top 50 Business Thinkers in the World three times in a row by Thinkers50, which creates a biennial ranking of the world's leading management experts. I was also honored to be named the #1 Communication Coach in the World by the Marshall Goldsmith Coaching Leading Global Coaches Awards.

Top 50 Business Thinker in the World

Fast Company

Write for FastCompany on topics including entrepreneurship and side gigs, effective communication, building political capital, and more.

Columbia Business School

I teach "Building Your Brand as a Leader" as part of Columbia's Advanced Management Program (AMP), as well as to leading corporate clients. I've also taught innovation strategies to senior executives.

Executive Education Faculty

Penguin Books Ltd

I'm the author of "Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It," a book about how to become a recognized expert in your field, gain momentum for your idea or business, and make a greater impact. Stand Out was a Washington Post bestseller and was named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine and one of the Top 10 Business Books of the Year by Forbes. It has also been translated into Korean.

Author, Stand Out

LinkedIn

I've created and taught numerous online courses for Lynda.com/LinkedIn Learning, including Personal Effectiveness Tips, Holding Yourself Accountable, Defining and Achieving Professional Goals, Acting Decisively, Interpersonal Communication, Persuading Others, Managing Office Politics, and Professional Networking (the last one has been translated into German, as well!).

Instructor

Westville Capital LLC

Invest in theatrical productions, including:
- The Broadway production of The Inheritance, winner of the 2021 Tony Award for Best Play
- The Broadway production of Tootsie, Spring 2019 (nominated for 11 Tony Awards & winner of two) 
- Magic Mike Live, Australia-New Zealand Tour, 2020-2021
- Magic Mike Live, North American Tour 2022
- The Broadway production of The Lifespan of a Fact (featuring Daniel Radcliffe, Cherry Jones, and Bobby Cannavale) - 2018

Investor

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)

Member of the music publishing company BMI's Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop, the premier training ground for Broadway composers and lyricists. I also participated as a lyricist in the 2019 NYMF (New York Musical Festival) Songwriting Workshop.

Musical Theater Lyricist

HEC Paris

I teach a multi-part webinar series on Personal Branding for HEC-Paris.

Executive Education Instructor

UNC Kenan-Flagler

I've taught Crisis Communication for Kenan-Flagler.

I'm a strategy consultant, executive coach, and keynote speaker (with deep experience in virtual presentations) who has worked with clients including Google, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Fidelity, Yale University, the IMF, and the World Bank. 

I've been named one of the Top 50 Business Thinkers in the World 3x by Thinkers50, and the #1 Communication Coach in the World by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards, as well as one of the Top 10 Communication Professionals in the World by Global Gurus. 

I write regularly for the Harvard Business Review, FastCompany, and Business Insider, and am the author of several books, including the WSJ bestseller "The Long Game" (Harvard Business Review Press, 2021), as well as "Entrepreneurial You," which was named "one of the most important business books of the year" by Inc. magazine and one of the Top 5 Books of the Year by Forbes. 

I also wrote "Reinventing You" and "Stand Out," which Inc. magazine declared the #1 Leadership Book of the Year and Forbes named one of the Top 10 Business Books of the Year. 

The New York Times was kind enough to call me an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives.” 

For three years, I hosted a weekly video interview show for Newsweek. I also teach for Columbia Business School's executive education program, and in the past have taught for Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, IE Business School (Spain), HEC-Paris, Smith College Exec. Education, Babson College Exec. Education, and the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler School of Business. I'm a member of Marshall Goldsmith's MG100 program, which brings together the world's top executive coaches, as well as an angel investor and startup advisor. 

Previously, I worked as a journalist, where I was delighted to win two New England Press Association awards; a presidential campaign spokesperson; and a producer of a multiple Grammy-winning jazz album. I also invest in Broadway productions, and am a lyricist in BMI's Tony-Award winning Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop. Download my free Long Game strategic thinking self-assessment at dorieclark.com/thelonggame. 

Specialties: Marketing, branding, management consulting, strategy consulting, communications, speaking, keynote speaking, professional speaking, professional speaker, personal branding, executive coaching

I'm the author of "Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future" ((Harvard Business Review Press, April 2013). Reinventing You talks about personal branding, professional reinvention, and how to take charge of one's reputation in the workplace. It has been translated into Russian, Chinese, Arabic, French, Polish, and Thai. 

I am trying something different this week.

Each day I am highlighting a set of books that I genuinely recommend for professionals who want to grow, lead, and navigate their careers with more clarity.

Today’s theme: visibility at work and how to show up with confidence.
Visibility is not about being loud.

It is about being intentional with how you communicate your strengths and how you participate in the rooms that matter.

Here are three authors and three books I trust on this topic:

Goldie Chan — Personal Branding for Introverts
A thoughtful guide for anyone who finds traditional visibility advice draining or misaligned with their natural style. Goldie shows how to build presence in a way that feels real and sustainable.

Lorraine K. Lee — Unforgettable Presence
A practical roadmap for showing up well on video, in webinars, and in every online setting where impressions count. Lorraine understands digital communication on a deep level and breaks it down clearly.

May Busch — Visible
May rose to senior leadership and now teaches others how to communicate their impact with confidence. Her insights are especially useful for anyone ready to step forward in their role.

If you or someone you know is focused on professional growth this year, these books are an excellent place to start.

WSJ & USA Today Bestselling Author; HBR & Fast Company contributor; Top 50 Business Thinker in World - Thinkers50 & Inc. magazine

The shelf behind my head is a special one. It's for books written by the talented folks in my Recognized Expert® community. https://lnkd.in/e4VFrqBp

A happy ritual for me is getting to add in new volumes - and yesterday, I added three more to the stack. 

A big congratulations to Janet Ply, PhD on her new book Practical Leadership; David Ribott, Ed.D (ABD), MCC for Informed Leadership; and Margaret C. Andrews for Manage Yourself to Lead Others. 

I'm so proud to add these to the collection. Janet, David, and Margaret - I'm cheering you on in your fantastic work!

We’re often told to “be yourself.”
I believe in that deeply.
But being yourself does not mean staying the same.

That is the nuance at the center of Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic’s new book Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead). It is not an argument against authenticity. It is an argument against treating authenticity as a fixed identity rather than a living one.

Authenticity is powerful when it reflects who you are becoming, not only who you have been.

Real growth often asks you to widen your range, strengthen new muscles and show up with more intention than habit.

A few ideas that align with this view:

Authenticity includes aspiration. 
You can honor your values while developing traits that help you lead more effectively.

Integrity is not rigidity. 
Evolving how you communicate, decide or collaborate can still be fully true to who you are.

Reinvention can be honest. 
Expanding your identity does not mean abandoning it. It means taking yourself seriously enough to grow.

If you have ever wondered how to stay authentic while still pushing toward your potential, this book offers a thoughtful way to hold both.

Most people network backwards.

They chase. They push. They try to manufacture connections that never stick.

But the most effective professionals I know do something very different.
They make it easier for the right people to find them.

In my Linkedin News conversation, “How to Network Smarter,” I talked about the idea of “dropping your digital handkerchief.”
Historically, it was a subtle signal that said:
“I am open to a conversation.”
Online, the same idea still works.

Warm introductions will always be the gold standard.
But when you do not have one, your next best move is not chasing.
It is becoming discoverable.

Create content about the field you are in or the one you want to move into.
Share what you are reading.
Comment thoughtfully.
Explain why a trend matters.
Show your curiosity and your depth.

When you do that consistently, something shifts.

Recruiters notice.
Hiring managers notice.
People in your industry begin to recognize your name.
They see someone who is informed, engaged, and contributing to the conversation.

That creates momentum toward you instead of you always having to push.

This clip comes from my conversation for LinkedIn Premium users, “How to Network Smarter.”
If you want to dive deeper, you can watch the full replay here:
https://lnkd.in/eexbMxPp

As the holiday season ramps up, a lot of people start thinking about rest. Not the quick long-weekend kind, but the kind that creates real clarity.

More and more professionals are choosing intentional sabbaticals because they want space to think, reset, and return with direction. The surprising part is how accessible this is when you understand how to structure it.

In my latest newsletter, I break down how to design a period of time away that creates momentum instead of disruption. This includes how to use structure without overplanning, how to create open space without losing focus, and how to set expectations that protect your time and energy.

One insight that often surprises people: 

The hardest part of a sabbatical is not stepping back from work. It is stepping back from your own expectations of constant productivity.

The newsletter also explores the difference between choosing a sabbatical and being pushed into one. The experience shifts dramatically when you plan for the return and not just the pause.

If you have been craving a reset, this perspective can help you think about a sabbatical as a strategic tool rather than a luxury that is out of reach.

Most people assume collaboration happens naturally.
It rarely does.

Not because people are difficult.
But because they are overwhelmed, distracted, and unsure if working with you will actually make their life easier.

Meanwhile, your best ideas stall. Projects lose momentum.
Opportunities slip by simply because the right people never said yes.

Here are 6 reasons collaboration falls apart
(and what to do to turn it around):

👉 People do not understand the value
They cannot see the benefit clearly.
Explain the win for them, not just for you.

👉 You have not built enough trust
Collaboration requires confidence in your reliability.
Show small proofs first so they can see your follow-through.

👉 The ask feels too big
Most people decline because the commitment looks overwhelming.
Break the request into smaller steps and lower the barrier to entry.

👉 They do not see where they fit
If roles feel vague, people hesitate.
Clarify what you need and why you chose them.

👉 Timing is unclear
Busy people default to no unless urgency is obvious.
Explain the timeline and why now matters.

👉 You have not tapped into mutual benefit
People are most motivated when interests align.
Look for outcomes that support their goals as much as yours.

Collaboration is not luck.
It is a skill.
When you make it easier for others to say yes, your ideas move farther and faster than you ever could on your own.

Which one of these resonates most with you?

Repost to help someone else (or spark a conversation about collaborating!)
⊕ Follow Dorie Clark for more

6 Reasons People Do Not Say Yes to Collaborating With You

I heard a metric that completely changes how you think about brand strength.
It came from Kathryn Landis, a member of my Trajectory Mastermind, and it is remarkably simple.

She set a goal that over the next year, at least 25 percent of her business would come from people outside her existing network.

No introductions.
No warm referrals.
No mutual contacts.

Why does that matter?

Because it reveals whether your work is traveling farther than you are.
Referrals can build a healthy business. But they grow in a straight line. Your reputation only expands as far as your clients own networks.

When new clients find you through your ideas, your talks, your writing, or your interviews, something very different is happening.

Your visibility multiplies.
Your ideas spread.
And people discover you because of the value you create, not the relationships you already have.

If you want a clear measure of whether your marketing is working, track the percentage of opportunities that come from people you have never met.
When that number grows, your brand grows.

If you would like more ideas about long term thinking, reinvention, and building a brand that opens doors, you can join my newsletter at dorieclark.com/subscribe

Most people regularly update their software.
Very few update their schedule.

Every couple of years, I do something I call a “No Audit.”
It is a simple practice that has saved me from overcommitment, burnout, and saying yes to things that no longer serve the person I am becoming.

The idea is straightforward:
Take a clear look at every recurring commitment you have and ask one question:

“If this were not already on my calendar, would I add it now?”

It is surprising how many tasks, favors, roles, and obligations stay in our lives simply because they have always been there.
A “No Audit” gives you permission to pause, reassess, and make choices with intention.

It helps you reclaim time for what actually matters, release activities you have outgrown, notice where default mode is draining your energy, create space for strategic thinking and relationships, and align your commitments with who you are today.

If this resonates and you want more ideas about long term thinking, reinvention, and intentional choices, join me at dorieclark.com/subscribe

It’s a strong way to keep your own “No Audit” mindset alive throughout the year.

Nostalgia might be the most underrated lever in modern marketing.
It doesn’t just spark memories, it snaps people back into who they were when a brand first mattered to them.

That hit me hard this week when I stepped inside the brand-new Members Only Emporium in New York City.

The moment you walk in, it feels like a time capsule built for 2025:
the full spectrum of the iconic jackets, ‘80s tracks humming in the background, and a lounge that makes the space feel experienced rather than shopped. Every detail is intentional, and every detail works.

But the real lesson isn’t about jackets or aesthetics.

It’s about membership.

What does it *actually* mean for someone to be part of your world?
Because membership isn’t a logo.
It’s a promise of belonging, identity, shared history, and future aspiration.

Brands that understand this build moments people want to talk about.
Moments people want to belong to.

That’s what impressed me most:
Members Only has honored its heritage without getting stuck in it, and redesigned nostalgia to feel new again.
That blend of past and present is how a brand stays relevant long after the trends shift.

And it’s a reminder for all of us:
If you understand the emotional value you create, you can design experiences people return to, share, and advocate for not because they have to, but because it feels like home.

So here’s the real question:
What does membership mean in your world — and how are you helping people feel it?

Thanks for resharing my talk, TED Conferences! We can all benefit from thinking more critically about what we get out of being so busy - and how to disrupt that cycle.

Feels like you’re always busy? You might be making choices that keep it that way. Here’s how to break the pattern: http://t.ted.com/y9I6NAy

Disagreement shows up everywhere in our lives. The way we express it often decides whether a conversation moves forward or shuts down completely.

Lately I’ve been paying close attention to what actually helps people reconsider their views. Over the years I’ve received every type of feedback, from thoughtful reflections to full-volume critiques. And one message in particular, written with real clarity and generosity, made me stop and rethink what effective dissent looks like.

It sparked this visual guide: a simple reminder that strong opinions don’t need to sound hostile to be taken seriously.

When the goal is to change someone’s mind rather than release frustration, three habits make a real difference:

✅ Start with curiosity 
Genuine questions open space for conversation instead of creating defensiveness.

✅ Acknowledge the other person’s viewpoint 
Understanding is not the same as agreeing, but it builds trust.

✅ Explain why the issue matters 
When people see the broader impact, they are more willing to engage thoughtfully.

Even well-meaning feedback can be hard to hear. But when it is rooted in respect, clarity, and intention, it becomes far more persuasive and far more likely to create meaningful change.

I hope this little storybook helps reinforce that skillful disagreement is something all of us can practice and improve.

What’s one approach that has helped you deliver tough feedback in a way people can actually absorb?

Dorie Clark - How to offer difficult feedback

We all want to make a strong first impression, but the process does not have to feel mysterious. A few simple choices can help you connect with people far more quickly.

If you know you will be meeting someone, take a moment to learn about them in advance. A quick look at LinkedIn or Google often reveals interests or projects you can use to create an authentic starting point. When people share something publicly, they’re inviting conversation about it.

If you meet someone on the spot, look for small touchpoints. Maybe you lived in the same city, went to the same school, follow the same team, or both have dogs. Even one shared detail makes the conversation flow more naturally.

It’s also worth noticing what actually works for you in early conversations. Which details spark engagement? Which questions open people up? Paying attention to those patterns gives you a repeatable, low-pressure strategy for starting conversations on the right foot.

If you’re interested in building stronger connections and deepening your professional relationships, you can get more ideas and resources by joining my newsletter at dorieclark.com/subscribe

What is one detail that helped you connect with someone new?

taplio

Dorie Clark's Linkedin Analytics

Dorie Clark

Performance ScoreDorie Clark's LinkedIn Performance

What is Dorie talking about?

Who is engaging with Dorie

Dorie Clark's Best Posts (last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

.css-6ytdur{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39, 43, 72, 1) 0%, rgba(33, 47, 183, 1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}Dorie Clark's Linkedin Analytics

Dorie Clark

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);}Dorie Clark's LinkedIn Performance

What is Dorie talking about?

Who is engaging with Dorie

Dorie Clark's Best Posts .css-1emoo84{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:400;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);}(last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Dorie Clark's Linkedin Analytics

Performance ScoreDorie Clark's LinkedIn Performance

Dorie Clark's Best Posts (last 30 days)