As leaders, we’re often asked to choose sides, but solutions and issues are rarely confined to one side. The most successful leaders use duality not to choose this OR that but to integrate this AND that. Here’s how: Acknowledge that duality is everywhere. From technical expertise and “soft skills,” to traditional methods and innovative processes, to seasoned employees and new hires, duality is inherent in business. Adopt a growth mindset. Open yourself up to new possibilities beyond the status quo, challenging yourself to seek out all sides of an issue. “Embrace the suck” of vulnerability. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Far too many leaders allow fear (of the unknown, of being judged or ridiculed) to dictate their choices. Maintain intellectual humility. Move away from preconceived notions and consider new possibilities and creative solutions by recognizing that what you think and believe might be wrong. Solicit the opinions of those outside your usual circle. Open yourself up to considering new ideas from unfamiliar sources and engage in discussions with people who don’t share your views or background. #leadership #career #duality …see more

Many of you know me as a halfway-decent marketer. Behold, I introduce to you, AJ the embarrassingly-terrible performance driver: https://lnkd.in/g7dghQd Thanks Spencer Pratt for letting me come to the BlinkerFluid private track for an afternoon of fun, and make a complete fool of myself :) …see more

I kinda hate December. I hate it because I went down the black hole of regrets. Regrets that... I didn’t work on maintaining relationships. I failed so many times. I heard more no’s, it deflated my confidence. I thought of lingering ideas that I wished I executed. It’s a time when we reflect back on the year and thought damn, I could have done it better. I swallow in deep post-modern for an hour. I put a time frame around it so I don’t go down that black hole. Then I move on. Yet, I love December because... I spend it with loved ones. I heard that one yes, that made a major difference in my business. I counted and listed my accomplishments. I prepare and focus for a more epic year. Do you hate or love December? #stringtheory on #life #stringstory #personal …see more

How to attract your ideal clients Your personal brand is a magnet. They attract your ideal clients. Your ideal client is the “you from 3 to 5 years ago.” If I look back 4 years ago, I was a creative who created my own path to success because the road to be a brand creator didn’t exist. When I think about ideal volks: They have a big heart, a big story to tell, and genuinely want to help people. They want to create their own path and be true to themselves. Still, they need help because they want to brand themselves in a way that is authentic. They want want to upskill their creative marketing skills and be epic storytellers. They may be working in the 9-5 job and creating a side hustle to see it’s worthwhile. They are mentors who are ready to be coaches. They are looking to be future influencers and looking a way to monetise. They are super smart experts who want a framework to market themselves and attract clients. They are the do’ers! Sounds like you, then it’s time to be a brand creator and join be part of the trusted circle: https://lnkd.in/g8sQJj2 We all have ideal clients we want to serve and help. Agree? #stringtheory on #personalbranding …see more

As an expert, are you using LinkedIn effectively? I bet you fried chicken you're not. You're an expert in your field. Years of knowledge has been accumulated. But if you're not communicating your value... Your competition who is more active on LinkedIn will be the one winning. They will get the clients. They will get the invites to panels. They will get speaking gigs. All because they are creating content on LinkedIn. Not necessarily all content is good. But the more they do, the more they will master the craft. Which means, they are again a step ahead of you (again). So, if you're twiddling your thumb... It’s your responsibility. You’re giving them the space to be ahead of you. But, say if you're ready... Ready to invest your time and leverage LinkedIn. Come chat to me, I love to help you build content and help you become the trusted go-to-expert. Create content to reinforce your brand. #Stringtheory on #personalbranding . …see more

The first step to growing your LinkedIn... I can tell when someone is active or not based on their LinkedIn profile URL.... It's either linkedin . com / in / stringstory This makes it easier to promote on your email signatures, your business card, and socials. Feel free to drop your URL below in the comments, so we can see if you used your name or company into it. It's a good way to connect with each other too. or They left it on default setting like a bad case of numbers. Which is a reminder that you should spend the next 5 minutes updating it and customise it. See the comments for the step-by-step to change it. Literally it won't take too long. Making coffee or tea would take longer :P #stringtheory on #personalbranding #digitalmarketing #linkedin #linkedintips …see more

Ahh! LinkedIn Global is already NEXT WEEK! It's not too late to claim your tickets - use my codes to save and I'll see you soon! Are you coming? Let me know and let's meet up at the event! Can't wait to mingle with co-creators that have quickly become friends Michaela Alexis , Brian Wallace , Judi Fox , Mark Metry , Brian Schulman and so many others! I can't wait for my BIG HR-appropriate HUGS!!! 😉😆🥰 #LinkedInStrategy #LinkedInTraining #LinkedInTips #Networking #LinkedInGlobal #LinkedIn #Sales #DigitalMarketing #MarketingEvent #SalesTraining #ChantelShares …see more

This is one of the MANY reasons that I adore Michael (Mike) O'Connor SPN and the Service Professionals Network... I'm so thankful for the incredible people I've met on here! When you're under a lot of stress, what's one saying or phrase that keeps you steady? Happy Thanksgiving LinkedIn Family! #thankful #community #inspiration …see more

"That was the bold thing Magic Leap started out doing. It was taking on such fun, non-incremental innovation — real science, real physics, pushing the envelope, trying to do something completely new, inventing a new field, a new medium, new applications, new products… all of it." Rony Abovitz https://lnkd.in/dxx7xG9 #innovation #founder #startup #VR #entrepreneurship …see more

Looking forward to delivering the opening keynote at the Thomson Reuters Annual Africa Summit with Future Agenda 's Tim Jones . Tim and I will doing a joint address on "Disruption: Global vs Africa" focusing on Africa 4.0 and the opportunity for disruption on the African continent. #disruption #africasummit #digital #informationforgood Sneha Sanghrajka Shah …see more

When was the last time you didn’t finish everything you said you were going to do for the day? For many of us, the answer is the same: yesterday. What I’ve uncovered in my research is that the reason we struggle to complete many of our tasks isn’t that we lack willpower or self-control, it’s that we lack a system to keep us on track. I recently appeared on the Work Life Play podcast with Aaron McHugh where we talked about how time management is actually pain management, how to master internal triggers, and other ways to deal with one of humanity’s oldest problems. I’ve included a link in the comments section below. #Indistractable #Productivity #Timeboxing #Traction #Mindset …see more

How do we raise distraction-free kids? In a recent interview I did with Vanessa Van Edwards , we debunked some common myths and talked about how to equip our kids with the skill of the century! Some of the myths we addressed: - Technology melts kids’ brains ❌ - Sugar makes you hyper ❌ We also talk about psychological vitamins -- the 3 things our children are missing! Any other parenting tips you’d add? #Indistractable #Parenting #Behavior #Psychology …see more

How can we help our kids develop healthy relationships with tech? Here's something to consider 💡 It's important to involve your child in the conversation and help them set their own rules for their technology usage. When parents impose limits without input from the kids, they are setting them up to be resentful and incentivizing them to cheat the system. …see more

Do you know any product managers, designers, or start-up founders? You're on LinkedIn -- of course you do! Well, if you have any of them on your holiday gift list this year, I have a suggestion for you: Hooked! It's the first book I wrote and it involved years of research, consulting, and personal experience. In putting together Hooked, I wrote the book I wish was available to me as a start-up founder—a how-to guide for building better products. In the book, I break down: • The Hooked Model -- a four-step process successful products use to create and increase user engagement. • The psychology behind habit-forming products • Noteworthy case studies about why companies succeeded (or failed) because of their ability to create unprompted user engagement My publisher has put out some signed copies of the book for the holidays and I've included a link to get your copy in the comments section. Has the Hooked Model been used at your company yet? What's been your experience with it? #Hooked #UX #ProductDesign #Engagement #Habits #Psychology …see more

New episode of my podcast on “how turn off harmfull stress like a switch” Let me know what you think...

Will soon engage with a family firm to help with succession.   The Dad's comment "I want someone of my son's generation to take us thru the technology transformation as well as the Succession"  My peers have no perspective on my son's Point of View!  Love how the DAD positioned me to get buy in from his son!  #Waytogodad   #tax #technology #beentheredonethat #succession #radicalcpa

What does Radical look like? Well, it’s the first week in March and the partners Geoffrey Stewart Trent Watrous and Adam McDowell, CPA , CPA invite me to Nashville to GET Radical! Want to hear from the #NEXTGEN Jonathan Hay This is how they #getradical ! #radicalcpa #leadership #technology #newfirm Are you caught in the Busy Season Rat Race or do you evolve all year? #cloudaccounting #accountingfirm #taxseason #cpa …see more

Nest inventor Tony Fadell and Visa EVP of Global Innovation Jim McCarthy lay out a framework for the who, what, how and why of connected devices and their commerce potential: http://bit.ly/2ovg7sR

Our new report, Using Modern Apprenticeship to Reskill America is out today. The report outlines how modern apprenticeships can tighten the nation’s widening skills gap and strengthen pipelines of needed skilled workers across a wide range of growth industries. Download a copy https://lnkd.in/ez6k6ak #ModernApprenticeship Lisa Linowes Yates Simon W. IWSI America …see more

Many of you have been asking me to share the links to my talks. Thanks to Products That Counts that recorded my talk about “How to Take Risks and Become a Standout Product Manage.” Listen to it and share your thoughts/questions in the comment section. Hope you find it helpful. bit.ly/2URDYnx #productmgmt #leadingwomen #productcareers #product #productmanager #careersadvice #takerisks Products That Count …see more