Steven Claes's Linkedin Analytics

You deserve a job that lets you sleep like a baby every night. When's the last time you slept soundly? No midnight email checks. No Sunday night anxiety. No 3 AM project panic. For many of us: → Deadlines haunt our dreams → Toxic meetings replay in our heads → Weekend work "requests" steal our peace This isn't living. It's surviving. And you weren't born to just survive. Here's your sleep-well-at-night job checklist: → Is success clearly defined? → Do you control your calendar? → Can you say "no" without fear? → Can you disconnect after hours? → Do you feel valued, not just busy? → Are emergencies truly emergencies? → Does your team respect boundaries? → Is your workload actually human-sized? Your peace of mind isn't negotiable. Don't let anyone tell you different. Ready for change? Start with one small boundary today. Your future self will thank you. And remember - you've got this! 💚 Happy weekend friends. ____________________________  ♻️ Repost if you believe everyone deserves better sleep 🔔 Follow Steven Claes for daily posts on Leadership, HR, and Culture

7 Brutal Career Truths I Learned the Hard Way: (So you don't have to) My journey in numbers: ⚡ 27-year battle scars ⚡ 8x make-over ⚡ 1x rock bottom ⚡ 10x salary explosion Here's what I wish someone told me sooner: 1/ No salary justifies burnout ↳ Your mental health isn't for sale. ↳ Better opportunities exist if you're willing to find them. 2/ Your manager determines your trajectory ↳ A great one accelerates you, a bad one stalls you. ↳ Choose your leaders wisely. 3/ Relationships matter most ↳ Your network opens doors talent alone can't. ↳ Invest in genuine connections—internally and externally. 4/ EQ trumps IQ ↳ Understand the human side of business. ↳ Build empathetic connections—your net worth is your network. 5/ Career paths are messy ↳ There's no corporate ladder—it's more like rock climbing. ↳ Sideways can lead to the biggest moves. 6/ Don't wait for feedback ↳ Initiate strategic career conversations. ↳ A regular check-in with your manager should be standard. 7/ Always be exploring ↳ The best time to dig is when you don't need to. ↳ Stay informed, stay ready, and stay moving. Here's the real plot twist: The most valuable career truth isn't on this list. There's an 8th truth that changed everything for me. I'll share it in the first comment - it's too important to miss. Remember: Your next breakthrough might be one insight away. 🤔 Which of these truths resonated most with you so far? — ♻️ Repost if this helped you ➕ Follow Steven Claes for more leadership and HR insights

'I'm leaving because of who you promoted.' This exit interview response is more common than you think. In fact, Gallup research found that 82% of organizations promote the wrong person. Why? They confuse: ↳ Experience with judgment ↳ Confidence with competence ↳ Technical excellence with leadership DNA When organizations promote the wrong people, they create leaders who lack the skills to inspire and build trust. These decisions don’t just hurt individual careers—they damage entire teams and cultures. Here are 10 wake-up calls that signal your leadership decisions might be failing your organization: 1/ When top talent quietly updates LinkedIn: → Your culture is bleeding → But you're too busy to notice 2/ When failures are "their fault" but wins are yours: → You're not leading → You're ego-tripping 3/ When you're always the smartest voice: → You've built an echo chamber → Not a high-performing team 4/ When your team stops bringing problems: → You didn't build psychological safety → You created fear 5/ When innovation dies: → Your "open door" policy → Is just corporate theatre 6/ When meetings multiply but results don't: → You're drowning in process → Not driving outcomes 7/ When praise feels forced: → You're the bottleneck → Not the multiplier 8/ When you speak more than listen: → You're leading by authority → Not by influence 9/ When growth feels comfortable: → You're building mediocrity → Not excellence 10/ When being right trumps being effective: → You've stopped learning → Your legacy dies here Remember: Great cultures aren't built by accident. They're shaped by leaders who listen, And destroyed by those who don't. What wake-up call hit home? ♻️ Share to inspire the next generation of great leaders 🔔 Follow Steven Claes to Fuel your Ambition

16 signs it's time to quit your job (Making the right decision is important, here's how...) I'm totally aligned with the wisdom of my friend Rob Dance 1. You're not learning 2. You have a terrible boss 3. You're experiencing abuse 4. Your workplace is a toxic environment 5. Your feedback and ideas are not heard 6. You dread going to work in the morning 7. Your health is being negatively impacted 8. Your company seems financially unstable 9. You are being asked to do unethical things 10. You feel that there is no growth left for you 11. Your knowledge and skills are under-utilised 12. You have lost interest or passion for your job 13. There is a high turnover rate among employees 14. You don't get any feedback about your performance 15. Your responsibilities have increased, but the pay hasn't 16. You're consistently stressed, negative, or unhappy at work Recognising these signs is crucial, but make sure you fully consider your options first. Making the right decision can save your mental health, but Making the wrong decision can really set you back. Do you agree? ♻️ Share with someone who needs to see this today! 🎯 Follow Steven Claes for more like this

"The most dangerous leaders are the smartest ones." - $1.2B CEO Do smart people miss the silent signals that break teams? Swipe ➡️ to reveal the hidden superpower that turns smart leaders into great ones. ♻ Repost this if you've experienced this. ➕ Follow Steven Claes for more leadership tricks you won't expect.

A brownie edge built a $1M empire. (While "serious" businesses failed) After 25 years in HR, here's what I learned: The biggest breakthroughs often look ridiculous at first. Think: • Einstein's daydreaming • Jobs' pixel obsession • Bezos selling only books The game-changing insight? Success leaves clues - just not where you expect them. Swipe for 10 Mind-Bending Success Stories ➡️ Ever been told your idea was "too simple" to work ? ♻️ Repost to remind someone: Their "too simple" idea might be the next big thing 🔔 Follow Steven Claes for leadership truth bombs

Science just unlocked how to achieve any goal. It's not what you think. Research reveals: 91% of top performers use these 7 evidence-based strategies: 1/ Set SMART Goals ↳ Research shocker: Specific goals outperform vague ones by 33% ↳ Just writing down your goals? 42% higher achievement rate 2/ Design Your Environment ↳ Breaking: 80% of your behavior is controlled by your surroundings ↳ Top performers shape space before mindset, attention 3/ Leverage Approach-Oriented Goals ↳ Mind-blowing stat: Positive goals boost persistence by 60% ↳ Proven: "Achieve X" beats "Avoid Y" in brain studies 4/ Create Feedback Loops ↳ Hidden gem: Goals with feedback improve results by 91% ↳ Reality check: Self-monitoring increases success 2-3x 5/ Commit to Daily Actions ↳ The 66-day rule: That's how long science says habits really take ↳ Controversial truth: Consistency beats motivation, every time 6/ Use the Eisenhower Matrix ↳ Warning: We waste 41% of time on low-value tasks ↳ Game-changer: Match your system to your work style 7/ Track, Reflect, Adapt Weekly ↳ Plot twist: Weekly reviews crush monthly reviews ↳ Pro tip: Change strategies, not goals, when stuck And here's the final scientific truth: While 97% are hunting for the "perfect" Goal-Setting Strategy. Research proves it's not about the right system. It's about any proven system used consistently. So what are you waiting for? 🤔 Which of these strategies are you implementing right now? ___________ ♻️ Share this with someone who needs a proven system for success 🔔 Follow Steven Claes for more tips to Fuel your Ambition

Two employees faced the same challenge. It took one 3 months, the other 3 days. The difference? It wasn't experience. It wasn't education. It wasn't even intelligence. It was how their brain processed information. And in today's fast-paced world— That skill is worth millions. 8 Career Superpowers of Fast Learners: 1/ You adapt quickly to change ↳ New tech stack? You're on it ↳ Strategy pivot? You're thriving ↳ Market shifts? You're already ahead Example: You turned a major client's last-minute strategy shift into opportunity while others were still processing the news 2/ You ask "Why?" to learn deeply ↳ You dig until you understand ↳ This is where breakthroughs happen ↳ Because surface answers aren't enough Example: You identified the real reason behind team conflicts while others just attended more meetings 3/ Learn by observing others ↳ Every mistake is a guide ↳ Every meeting is a lesson ↳ Every success leaves clues Example: You decoded why the senior partner always lands key accounts by studying their preparation routines 4/ Turn failures into lessons ↳ While others see setbacks ↳ You see stepping stones ↳ You see data Example: That delayed product launch? You turned it into a new project management approach 5/ Stay curious about everything ↳ From market trends to AI ↳ From strategy to execution ↳ Your curiosity drives innovation Example: Your questions in client meetings often reveal opportunities others missed 6/ Can teach it right away ↳ You turn complex into simple ↳ You make the impossible, possible ↳ Because true mastery shows in teaching Example: Your 5-minute explanation of the quarter's strategy got the whole team aligned 7/ Think in patterns, not pieces ↳ While others see chaos ↳ You see opportunities ↳ You see connections Example: You spotted the connection between employee burnout and client churn rates before the data showed 8/ Love learning new things ↳ Your growth never stops ↳ Your potential keeps expanding ↳ Because today's edge is tomorrow's baseline Example: You took over the regulatory compliance project everyone avoided, and turned it into a competitive advantage Here's what most don't realise: In a world where AI changes everything weekly, Being a fast learner isn't just an advantage. It's the ultimate career superpower. While others struggle to keep up, You're already mastering what's next. 💡 Which sign describes you best? _________ ♻️ Repost to inspire your ambitious friends  👉 Follow Steven Claes to Fuel your Ambition

8 Ways Great Leaders say "No" (Without sounding rude) Saying yes is easy. Saying no is difficult. When you say yes to everyone, You ultimately let down a lot of people. The secret to being a great leader is knowing how to say no. But saying no isn't just about protecting your time. It's about protecting the quality of your work. When you say no to additional and unnecessary work... You're focusing on making progress on the important things. Here's how it's done: 1/ Appreciate the Request ↳ "Thanks for considering me for this" ↳ "I appreciate the opportunity" ↳ Show respect to maintain trust 2/ Explain Your Reasons ↳ "I want to bring my A-game, and this workload won't allow it" ↳ Be honest and factual 3/ Keep it Concise ↳ Don't over-explain or go into detail ↳ Less is more 4/ Think Ideas, Not Rules ↳ Suggest alternatives, like reassigning tasks ↳ Show you're still there to support 5/ Use “No” Sandwiches ↳ Give praise, then say no, and end with encouragement ↳ "You've got this. I’m confident you’ll rock it!" 6/ Offer a Timeline ↳ "I can’t this week, but next week is doable" ↳ Set clear boundaries and next steps 7/ Help Another Way ↳ "Here's a helpful template we created..." ↳ "Let me connect you with Sarah, she's our expert on this" ↳ Always offer a solution, not just a no 8/ Practice Makes Perfect ↳ Start with email requests (easier than face-to-face) ↳ Your first "no" might feel uncomfortable - that's growth ↳ Each "no" builds your leadership muscle Remember: The most respected leaders aren't the ones who say yes to everything. They're the ones who say no to the good So they can say yes to the great. P.S. What work request is hardest for you to refuse? _______ ♻️ Repost to help a stressed colleague find their voice.  👉 Follow Steven Claes to Fuel your Ambition

Everyone says 'Be a Team Player.' But nobody tells you how. Until now. Here's some great workplace wisdom from my friend Ben Meer👇 10 Workplace Secrets That Make Everyone Want to Work With You: 1. Be the person who makes things happen ↳ Every organization has problems. ↳ The people who solve them get promoted. 2. Master calendar psychology ↳ Book meetings for 25 mins instead of 30. ↳ People will love you for giving them time back. 3. Adopt the Art of the TL;DR ↳ Put a 1-line summary at the top of longer emails. ↳ Your colleagues’ time is precious. 4. Make intercompany connection ↳ Introduce people you network with from across departments. ↳ You’ll unlock new opportunities that are better for everyone. 5. Attach agendas to meetings ↳ If you're a superior, don't send a meeting invite without an agenda. ↳ Agenda-less meetings often waste time (and are scary). 6. Leave spaces better than you found them. ↳ Tidy up after meetings, even if it's not "your job." ↳ Small courtesies compound. 7. Practice the Silent Service Model ↳ Help others succeed without seeking credit. ↳ Your reputation will build naturally. 8. Follow the Plus One Rule ↳ Make every process you are a part of at least 1% better. ↳ You’ll be surprised how many people want to put you on their next project. 9. Practice the Gratitude Loop ↳ Notice efforts, express appreciation, be specific, and reciprocate. ↳ Strong teams run on recognition. 10. Offer to be an office buddy to the newcomer. ↳ If they have any questions or forget people's names, you're their go-to person. ↳ It’s an easy way to display leadership without needing an official title. Learn these secrets, And you’ll have everyone wanting to work with you in no time. ♻️ Repost to champion workplace collaboration. ➕ Follow Steven Claes for more.

You know that moment you finally "made it"? That wasn't the real moment. The real moment was years earlier: When you were broke. When you were scared. When you were ready to quit. And someone looked you in the eye and said: "I know exactly what you're going to become." They didn't just see you. They saw your future self. They saw past your: → Empty bank account → Shaking confidence → Failed attempts While others asked "Can you?" They said "When will you?" These people are life's secret weapons. Not cheerleaders. Not yes-men. But truth-tellers who spot greatness early. I've seen them everywhere: • The teacher who stayed late • The friend who wouldn't let you quit • The stranger who became a mentor • The boss who fought for your promotion They invested in you when: → Your path looked broken → Your goals felt impossible → Your dreams seemed ridiculous But here's the part that breaks my heart: Most of them never know. Never see how their words echoed. Never realize how their faith planted seeds. Never understand how they changed everything. So today, I dare you: Find that person. Tell them what their belief meant. Show them what their faith built. Because while success feels amazing... Nothing beats the look in their eyes when they see Their belief in you was justified all along. Tag them below. Let them know. Make them proud. Because somewhere right now, Someone is fighting their own battles, Needing someone to believe in them too. Who spotted your greatness early? — ♻️ Share to Appreciate those who believed in YOU before you did 💡 Follow Steven Claes for more real talk about success

Your brain processes 400 words per minute. People only speak 125 words per minute. That gap? That's where conversations are won or lost. A Harvard study revealed something crucial: 85% of career success comes from listening. Yet we're all making the same deadly mistake. Waiting for our turn to speak. I tested these 5 power moves with CEOs and leaders. The results? Mind-blowing. 1. The 2-Second Rule → Wait two full seconds before responding → Watch people reveal what they really mean → Silence is your superpower 2. The Echo Effect → Repeat their last 3 words → Add "Tell me more about that" → Watch trust build instantly 3. The Empathy Bridge → "That must feel..." + emotion → Let them correct your assumption → Connection deepens every time 4. The Power Park → Park your solutions → Park your stories → Park your judgments Just. Stay. Present. 5. The Gold Question → "What else?" → That's it. Those two words. → Where others stop, you dig deeper Here's the truth no one tells you: The most powerful person in any room? The one who speaks the least. Try this in your next conversation. Watch what shifts. 🔥 Which of these 5 moves will you test today? ♻️ Share this with someone who needs to level up their impact 🎯 Follow Steven Claes for more like this

Your emotions don't run your career. Your emotional intelligence does. Burnout, toxic leadership, team conflicts— All symptoms of leaders who can't manage their emotional state. The most successful leaders aren't just strategically smart. They're emotionally masterful, purposefully calm, and intentionally present. 📍 Here are 11 hidden superpowers of emotionally intelligent leaders—and how to develop them (love #9 and #11): 1. Calm in the Face of Chaos ↳ They are unshakable, centered. ↳ The eye of the storm. 2. Emotional Resilience ↳ They bounce back from challenges. ↳ Learning and growing stronger. 3. Deep Empathy ↳ They understand others. ↳ Beyond words. 4. Mindful Decision-Making ↳ They are aware of their biases. ↳ Decisions align with values for the long game. 5. Radiant Inner Peace ↳ They maintain a calm mind. ↳ Even in chaos. 6. Emotion-driven Leadership ↳ They harness emotions for people-focused leadership. ↳ Not just through logic and reason. 7. Visionary Imagination ↳ They see vivid visions of the future. ↳ Inspire others. 8. Limitless Creativity ↳ They are open to change. ↳ Trust the unknown. 9. Radical Acceptance ↳ They embrace how it is, not how it should be. ↳ Align emotions with reality. 10. Boundless Compassion ↳ They practice self-compassion. ↳ Understand they are not alone. 11. Profound Self-Awareness ↳ They understand themselves deeply. ↳ Embrace strengths and recognize flaws. Remember: Your ability to master your emotions will determine the success of your team, organization, and career. P.S. What other hidden powers would you add to this list? -- ♻️ Repost to help your network tap into their limitless EI power. ➕ Follow Steven Claes to Fuel your Ambition

"'Being kind won't get you far in life.' I smiled when I heard that. Because the strongest people I know? They lead with kindness. They succeed through kindness. They change lives with kindness. They're the ones who: • Stand their ground (with grace) • Tell hard truths (with compassion) • Show up for others (even when tired) • Make tough calls (while preserving dignity) It's easy to be cold. It's easy to be harsh. Anyone can build walls. But it takes real strength to: • Stay soft in a hard world • Care when it's easier not to • Listen when everyone's shouting Whether you're leading a team Or just trying to get through today Your kindness matters. It ripples. It stays. And we all know: People won't remember what you achieved. They'll remember how you made them feel. Be strong enough to be kind. That's not weakness. That's your superpower. 💭 What's the kindest thing someone did for you recently? ♻️ Share if this touched you - someone might need to hear it today. ➕ Follow Steven Claes for more.

7 Promotion Secrets They Don't Tell You: (The real game-changers) Want to get promoted fast? Stop working harder. Start playing smarter. ↓ Secret 1: Be Seen Track your wins (use real numbers) Show your boss what you do, every week Good work in the shadows = no promotion → Quick Win: Send a 5-bullet update every Friday Secret 2: Act Like You're Already There Show them you can lead, right now Fix problems before they grow Help teammates win → Quick Win: Volunteer to lead one new project Secret 3: Make Your Boss Look Good Turn their problems into wins Know what keeps them up at night Speak their language ($$$ and results) → Quick Win: Ask about their biggest challenge Secret 4: Build Your Backup Write down how you do things Train others to do your job Help others grow → Quick Win: Create one "how-to" guide Secret 5: Master the People Game Build real relationships Learn to read the room Technical skills aren't enough → Quick Win: Have coffee with one new team monthly Secret 6: Know the Right People Promotions happen through people Help others (they remember) Make friends across teams → Quick Win: Introduce two colleagues who should meet Secret 7: Drive Change Make things better Don't just do your job Bring new ideas (especially tech & AI) → Quick Win: Propose one improvement monthly The Truth: Hard work alone won't get you there. These secrets will. Ready to accelerate your career? ♻️ Repost to help someone stuck in their career 🔔 Follow Steven Claes for more growth hacking tips

“Leadership isn’t about metrics. It’s about memories.”   Everyone talks numbers. But the real test of leadership is time. Years from now, your team won’t remember the meetings. They’ll remember how you made them feel. 6 ways to be unforgettable as a leader: 1. Show Up Real ↳ When you truly care about your people, they can feel it. ↳ Small acts of kindness add up—they create memories that last. 2. Really Listen ↳ Put down your phone, look them in the eyes, and really listen. ↳ Make them feel heard. 3. Help Them Grow ↳ See their hidden talents. Push them to try new things.  ↳ Celebrate when they win. 4. Stand By Them ↳ When times get tough, be their rock. ↳ They'll remember who stayed when things weren't easy. 5. Be Kind ↳ Everyone's fighting their own battles. ↳ Sometimes, one kind moment can change someone's whole life. 6. Set an Example ↳ Good leadership spreads. ↳ The way you lead today shapes how your team will lead tomorrow. Be the leader they'll talk about 10 years from now. Be the leader you wish you had. P.S. What leader changed your life with kindness? ___________ ♻ Know someone who leads with heart? Share this. 👉 Follow Steven Claes for more leadership truths.

I fired an important C- position not so long ago. Not for incompetence. Not for missed targets. But for being unable to admit he was wrong. The final straw? He fired an employee who proved him wrong about a $2M mistake. This isn't rare: 1/ The Ego Tax → 76% of employees hide mistakes from leaders → 92% have ideas they've never shared → 81% hold back critical feedback 2/ The Warning Signs → "Just execute the plan" → "We've always done it this way" → "I don't pay you to question me" 3/ The Real Cost → Problems hide until they explode → Top talent leaves → Innovation dies Hard truth: If your team agrees with everything you say, you're not a leader. You're a hard-liner with a ticking time bomb. The most dangerous phrase in business isn't "I made a mistake." It's "I'm never wrong." 🔥 Plot twist: The C-leader? He now teaches leadership seminars. Irony at its finest. 💭 What's the biggest ego-driven disaster you've witnessed? — ♻️ Share if you've seen toxic leadership destroy good teams 🎯 Follow Steven Claes for more unfiltered leadership truths

Stop Saying Sorry at Work (Your Success Will Thank You) We all know those times we need to communicate - so why are we apologizing? Let's break it down: Instead of: ↳ "Sorry to bother you at work" → "Hey, got a minute to talk?" ↳ "Sorry, I don't get it" → "Could you walk me through that again?" ↳ "Sorry for the slow reply" → "Thanks for being patient" Here's why your success will thank you: 1/ Your Confidence ↳ Less "sorry" = stronger presence at work ↳ You stop second-guessing yourself (Game-changer for your career!) 2/ Your Impact ↳ People notice how you communicate ↳ Clear words = more respect from colleagues 3/ Your Professional Growth ↳ Smart professionals apologize when needed ↳ But focus on solutions first 4/ Your Relationships ↳ You can be nice without saying sorry ↳ You can be assertive while being kind 5/ Your Workplace Impact ↳ When you speak clearly, others follow ↳ Good communication habits spread naturally The Simple Rule: Keep "sorry" for when you really mean it. Don't apologize for: • Taking breaks • Doing your job • Asking questions • Contributing in meetings Try This Tomorrow: 1. Notice when you want to say sorry 2. Ask: "Do I really need to?" 3. Use "thank you" instead Remember: Success comes from being both confident AND kind. What will you say instead of sorry at your next conversation? — ♻️ Share this with someone who needs to hear it ➕ Follow Steven Claes for more