Steven Claes's Linkedin Analytics

Ever tossed a boomerang? It always comes back. Kindness does too. And when it comes to leadership, That return matters more than you think. Forget the spotlight. Real leaders don’t crave attention. They create impact. Quietly. Let me share something that shifted my mindset. For years, I thought leadership meant being seen. Speaking first. Taking credit. Owning the room. But the leaders who inspired me most? They weren’t the loudest. They were the most generous. They were behind the scenes. Helping others. No applause needed. That’s the kind of leader I want to be. Someone who leads with heart, not ego. Small actions make a big impact: • A kind word • A listening ear • A small gesture of support These things create ripple effects. They move teams. They build trust. They come back around. You don’t need a title to lead. You just need to care. Lead with Kindness. It’s a quiet force that moves mountains. 💚 Are you in? — ♻️ Share this to keep kindness in motion 🔔 Follow Steven Claes for daily posts on career & leadership

I used to think being a leader meant having all the answers. That belief almost ruined my career. Why? Because it's a dangerous lie we tell ourselves. Real leaders aren't perfect. They are beautifully human. These 6 daily habits changed how I lead and how others respond: → Learn something new and share it openly (Vulnerability attracts trust) → Ask for feedback, even when it hurts (Your blind spots are costing you) → Make time to really listen (Not just wait for your turn to speak) → Own your mistakes publicly (Your team already sees them anyway) → Stand up for your values (Especially when it's uncomfortable) → Choose kindness every day (It's not weak. It's revolutionary.) The truth? You don't need to be perfect to be powerful. You just need to be real. 👉 Which of these habits feels hardest for you? _______ ♻️ Share this if you believe in human-first leadership 🎯 Follow Steven Claes for daily insights on authentic leadership

The Silent Cost of Always Being "On" Why 1,000+ leaders are rethinking hustle culture I just reviewed the latest leadership burnout data. As a CHRO, I’ve seen these patterns emerge in boardrooms and 1:1s alike. The numbers stopped me cold: 🔥 2 out of 3 professionals are at risk of burnout 🔥 Each burned-out leader costs $23K per year 🔥 Nearly 7 in 10 women report daily exhaustion But here’s what the top 5% have figured out: They achieve more—by working less. — The Counterintuitive Edge • 90-min focused work beats 3 hours of interruptions • Morning focus > late-night sprints • Deep work > long hours — What High Performers Do Differently When I coach execs or review performance data, the same patterns show up: 1. Energy > Time → Match hard tasks to peak hours → No strategy work after 2 PM → Guard quiet time like gold 2. Strategic Recovery → 90-min deep work blocks → 15-min true breaks → No "working lunches" 3. Boundaries Built In → Say no to 63% of requests → Block 2 hrs daily for deep work → Avoid back-to-back meetings — This Week’s Challenge: ✅ Track your true peak hours ✅ Protect them fiercely ✅ Cancel 1 recurring meeting Your team doesn’t need you always “on.” They need you at your best. 👉 Which shift will you start this week? 🔁 Share this if your team needs a reset ➕ Follow Steven Claes for evidence-based leadership habits

The biggest cost I ever paid didn’t come from a failed idea. It came from compromising a value I thought didn’t matter much. Strategy? That can change. Mindset? That evolves. But your character? Once you bend it - even a little - it’s hard to get it back. No one warns you about this. Your principles don’t snap all at once. They wear down slowly. One small exception at a time. Strong leadership isn’t about being inflexible. It’s about being clear on what won’t move. Let your thinking stay fluid and open. Let your values stand like mountains. Let your growth raise your standards—not lower them to win faster. The world will always pressure you to bend. Your job is to stand tall. And prove there is strength and success in staying true. 💬 What is one value you will never trade for results? ____ ➕ Follow Steven Claes for leadership that lasts ♻️ Share if you believe integrity still matters

I dreaded networking events for years. Until I realized something powerful: Being an introvert isn't a networking disadvantage. It's a different way to connect. Here’s what changed everything: The secret wasn’t speaking more. It was listening better. Once I stopped trying to “work the room” and started leading with curiosity, something shifted: → Conversations got deeper → Relationships felt more real → My network actually started working for me Turns out, the best networkers aren’t the loudest in the room. They’re the ones who make others feel heard. Want the exact framework I used to make networking energizing, not exhausting? 🧠 It’s in the carousel → 📌 Save it for your next event ➕ Follow Steven Claes for strategies built for ambitious professionals

One firm “No” earns more respect than a dozen tired “Yeses.” Especially when your calendar’s a war zone. In this week’s A+ Introvert Newsletter: • The 3-step “Boundary Buffer” to guard your time • How quiet leaders earn trust by protecting focus • Harvard data backing the power of polite refusal Launch: 📅 Saturday 7 June at 13:30 CEST 🔗 Subscribe here for FREE → https://lnkd.in/e7xQPNtn Saying ‘No’ isn’t selfish. It’s leadership. Follow Steven Claes for quiet power moves that stick.

Most people waste their best 2 hours every day. Without even noticing. In this week’s A+ Introvert Newsletter: • The “Energy Budget” framework to outsmart burnout • A 5-day tracker that reveals your personal prime time • HBR How top execs guard 2 hours—and win more with less 📅 Launch: Saturday 14 June at 13:30 CEST 🔗 Subscribe for free → https://lnkd.in/e7xQPNtn You're not short on time. You're leaking power. Follow Steven Claes for leadership tools that protect your edge.

The best leaders aren’t always the loudest. Often, they’re the calmest. Every team has people who lead through quiet strength. They don’t compete for airtime. They create space for better thinking. They don’t need the spotlight to make an impact. They just need room to do what they do best. As a CHRO—and as a person—I’ve come to rely on quiet strengths like focus, observation, and intentional communication. They’re not always loud, but they’ve always been essential. But here’s what often gets missed: When we overlook quiet contributors, we lose our team’s sharpest thinking. What Quiet Strength Looks Like 🔹 Clear Thinkers They pause before speaking. Their ideas land sharper. 🔹 Focused Contributors They tune out noise. Their work runs deep. 🔹 Keen Observers They catch what others miss—risks, cues, subtle details. 🔹 Intentional Communicators They speak with care. Their words drive clarity. 🔹 Steady Presences They stay grounded when things go sideways. How Great Leaders Unlock Quiet Talent ✔️ Share agendas in advance ✔️ Protect time for deep work ✔️ Offer multiple ways to contribute ✔️ Use 1:1s to surface insights ✔️ Acknowledge impact in meaningful ways It’s not about introvert vs. extrovert. It’s about making room for different kinds of brilliance. 💬 Worked with a quiet leader who made a big impact? Tag them—and tell us what they did. 🔁 Know someone like this? Share this with them. ➕ Follow Steven Claes for more leadership insights that don’t rely on volume.

10 Brutal Career Truths for Introverts and Extroverts Most people think personality is just a style. In reality, it shapes how we grow, connect, and succeed at work. This isn't just theory. As a real introvert, I’ve struggled with these truths for years. Quiet meetings, big rooms, energy crashes. It’s still a daily work-in-progress. So if you’ve ever felt out of place at work, you’re not alone. Here’s what 20+ years of data and lived experience reveal: 1. Your default mode can fail you → Introverts: hiding kills opportunity → Extroverts: chasing burns trust 2. Energy matters more than time → Introverts: skipping team time slows growth → Extroverts: nonstop meetings kill focus 3. Adapting isn’t fake → Introverts: speaking up is a skill → Extroverts: silence can be strategy 4. Your weakness is someone’s strength → Introverts: fast moves feel risky → Extroverts: deep dives feel slow → Best move: partner across styles 5. Recovery is non-negotiable → Introverts: solo time restores energy → Extroverts: social time does the same → No one escapes burnout 6. Perception drives reality → Introverts: quiet can look unsure → Extroverts: energy can come off strong 7. Growth feels uncomfortable → Introverts: influence needs voice → Extroverts: trust needs listening 8. Pressure breaks autopilot → Introverts: pulling back slows progress → Extroverts: over-talking creates chaos 9. Real success blends both modes → Introverts: big ideas need visibility → Extroverts: big momentum needs focus 10. The real truth Personality is not your limit. Your habits are. Still learning to navigate this myself. Every single day. Which truth hit home for you? ____________ 🔁 Repost to remind someone they're not alone ❤️ Follow Steven Claes for daily leadership insights backed by real data 📩 Join weekly FREE career tips in the A+ Introvert Newsletter:https://lnkd.in/e7xQPNtn

If you think work culture takes years to build, you're already behind. After 20 years in HR, here’s what I’ve learned: Work culture changes the moment leadership behaviour changes. Not next year. Not after a reorg. Today. Here’s what most leaders still get wrong: 1. Trust isn't built over time • It’s either destroyed or reinforced in single moments • One broken promise erases months of goodwill • One moment of integrity builds more trust than years of ease 2. Respect isn’t earned slowly • It’s given or withheld almost instantly • People don’t “warm up” to leaders • They decide quickly if you’re worth following 3. Engagement isn’t a long game • It shifts as soon as priorities are clear • When leaders act differently, teams respond immediately • Change the conversation, and you change the culture 4. Values aren't developed • They’re revealed under pressure • Your real culture shows up in hard decisions • Not in posters or onboarding decks 5. Change doesn't take time • It takes courage • To speak hard truths • To lead differently today Culture doesn’t move at the speed of time. It moves at the speed of leadership behaviour. So what behaviour will you change today? — 🔁 Repost this if you’re done waiting for work culture to change ➕ Follow Steven Claes for hard truths on leadership

Ever worked for a boss who made you nervous to open your inbox? That’s not high performance. That’s high cortisol. Too many leaders confuse fear with respect. But fear doesn’t build strong teams. It breaks workplace culture. Fear leads to: • Quiet teams    • Hidden problems    • Fast exits Respect looks different. It sounds like this: 🟢 “You’re doing great. Let’s talk about your career path.” 🟢 “Mistakes happen. Here’s what we learned.” 🟢 “I’ve got your back. Let’s solve this together.” If you manage people, ask yourself: • Do they grow or burn out in their job? • Do they feel safe giving honest feedback? • Do they stay because they trust you or because they’re afraid to leave? People don’t quit companies. They quit cultures that drain them. You don’t need fear to drive performance. You need trust, clear communication, and consistency. Be the kind of leader people want to work with. Not someone they have to tiptoe around. 💬 “What’s one fear-based tactic you’ve seen at work?” 🔁 Repost if you’ve ever worked under fear and wanted better ➕ Follow Steven Claes for honest takes on leadership and workplace growth

🧠 The Modern Workplace Is Built for Extroverts That’s a problem. Some of your best thinkers? They’re quiet. They’re calm. They’re often overlooked. Quiet employees aren’t the problem. Loud work cultures are. Most workplaces reward fast talk, group think, and visibility over thoughtfulness. But that leaves half your team behind. Introverts aren’t disengaged. They’re differently wired. They don’t interrupt. They reflect. They don’t jump in. They observe. They don’t speak up right away. They think it through. That doesn’t make them less valuable. It makes them essential. Why Introverts Quietly Excel at Work ✅ They think deeply and spot patterns others miss ✅ They listen fully and build lasting trust ✅ They stay calm under pressure and lead with thought ✅ They produce high-quality work in focused environments But They’re Underrepresented Where It Matters Most A global study by Myers-Briggs found that 56.8% of people are introverted - yet only 39% of top executives are. That gap isn’t about talent. It’s about workplace design. The Workplace Isn’t Broken. But It’s Biased • Open offices drain their energy • Constant meetings bury their best ideas • Fast-talk culture keeps them quiet This isn’t a people problem. It’s a systems problem. It’s not introverts versus extroverts. The best teams aren’t the loudest. They’re the most balanced. 💬 I used to leave meetings wondering if my silence made me seem disengaged, when in reality, I was processing everything. If that resonates, let me know. 🔁 Repost to help more people feel seen at work. 📩 Join for Free weekly career news in the A+ Introvert Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/e7xQPNtn

🌱 Outgrowing a job doesn’t mean hating it. Sometimes, it’s just… quiet. Not toxic. Not dramatic. Just easy to rationalize. And because it’s quiet, it goes unnoticed — until one day, you barely recognize the version of you that stayed. — 3 Quiet Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Role 1. You're not learning anymore You're doing what you're good at. But nothing challenges you. You can't remember the last time you were stretched. 2. You feel invisible You're reliable. You deliver. But the recognition never comes — and it's starting to wear on you. 3. You feel numb You still show up. But your spark has gone quiet. You’re tired in a way that rest doesn’t fix. — Growth isn’t always comfortable. But comfort isn’t always growth. None of this means you’ve failed. It might mean you’ve grown. And the role hasn’t grown with you. Staying isn’t always safe. Sometimes it’s what keeps you stuck. If that resonates, treat it as a quiet signal: 👀 Start noticing 💭 Start asking better questions 🌱 Start imagining what more could feel like 💬 What’s one quiet sign you’ve been ignoring? 🔄 Share this with someone who needs permission to grow ➕ Follow Steven Claes for honest career insights that help you trust yourself

I’m an introvert, and a CHRO at a public company. Most people assume that’s a contradiction. But it’s not. Introversion isn’t one thing. It’s four. And most of us are a blend. That mix gives us strengths most advice completely misses. I broke down the 4 introvert types—and what each one brings to the table—in the slides below 👇 If you’ve ever been told to “speak up,” “be faster,” or “act more outgoing,” this is your permission to stop. The most effective introverts don’t try to become extroverts. They lead by protecting their energy and using it wisely. This framework shifted how I see people—not just introverts, but extroverts too. We all manage energy differently. And that difference is a strength. Which type sounds most like you—or someone you lead? Would love to hear in the comments. ➕ Follow Steven Claes for psychology-backed leadership habits 📩 Join the Free A+ Introvert Newsletter : https://lnkd.in/e7xQPNtn

“Don’t be afraid to disappoint.” It saved my career. We’re raised to keep the peace. At home. At work. But here’s the trap: Pleasing everyone = abandoning yourself. Studies show authentic leaders are 3x more effective. Not because they say “yes”, but because they stand firm in who they are. And this isn’t just for execs. It’s for everyone. If you always say yes: → You lose direction → You stop growing → You burn out Want to fix it? Start here: → Say “no” when it doesn’t feel right → Stand by your beliefs → Set firm limits Disappointing someone else might be the best way to love yourself. You weren’t hired to keep everyone comfortable. You were hired to be you. Want more joy? Stop fitting in boxes that weren’t made for you. Be brave. Be honest. Be real. Even if it upsets some people. What’s one thing you’ll say ‘no’ to this week? — ♻️ Repost to inspire others to lead with authenticity 🔔 Follow Steven Claes for more leadership truths

You don’t have to be loud to be a leader. But you do have to be intentional. That truth didn’t land for me until much later. I remember sitting in a strategy meeting—silent. I had the most insight on the project, but two louder voices dominated the room. They got the credit. That’s when it clicked: Volume ≠ value. Let’s clear something up about introversion: 🌀 What People Think “Introverted” Means: • Socially awkward — Doesn’t know how to talk to people • Hates people — Avoids all social interaction • Shy — Afraid to speak up • Too serious — Doesn’t know how to have fun • Book nerd — Always isolated and quiet • Lacks social skills — Can’t lead or collaborate effectively 🌱 What “Introverted” Actually Means: • Deep listener — Makes others feel truly heard • Inner-battery aware — Protects energy to stay fully present • Idea generator — Reflects before speaking, offers clarity • Behind-the-scenes strategist — Leads through preparation and insight • Speaks up when it matters — Chooses purpose over performance • Picks depth over noise — Values trust, not just attention According to HBR, nearly 40% of top-performing CEOs are introverts. You’d never guess it—because they lead differently. Let’s be real: Extroverts bring momentum. Introverts bring focus. And leadership needs both. 🎯 The real question isn’t how loud you are. It’s how aligned you are with what matters. 3 Ways to Lead with Quiet Impact: 1/ Use presence, not performance 2/ Measure depth over visibility 3/ Protect energy so you can show up fully 🔥 Your Challenge: Next time you think “I’m just not the loud type”… ask instead: “Am I being loud—or am I being true?” 💬 What’s one quiet strength you’ve learned to own? 🔁 Repost to help more people feel seen at work 🔔 Follow Steven Claes for practical leadership insights that work for every personality 📩 Join weekly FREE career tips in the A+ Introvert Newsletter:https://lnkd.in/e7xQPNtn