3 Steps to a less stressful, more meaningful career

Level-Up Your Career

If you're tired of the fear of being potentially laid off, or if you're exhausted with the churn of new leadership and having to build and re-build your credibility and influence with company leaders, or if you're drained from the stress you're feeling from your job, then this podcast is for you!

In 15-minutes, I'll give you the exact same 3-point framework that I give to my clients to help them identify a more energizing, fulfilling, and meaningful career.

Hi there! I’m glad you’re here with me. I’m glad you found me. I’m Sherri Thomas, and what I teach are things you can do right now to help you uplevel your reputation, and your influence, and your executive presence so that you have stronger connections, easier relationships, and more control and opportunities in your career. You can be more of the decision maker in your career.

One of the questions I get asked the most is, “How do I find a job that’s less stressful?” Or, “How do I find a job that’s more meaningful?” So in this episode I’m going to chunk it down, and share with you 3 strategies that I give my clients… and these are 3 areas you want to examine if you want a less stressful, or more meaningful job.

All jobs have days of stress and frustration, but when you have this natural positive energy and excitement in your career, you’re better able to manage through tough days.

So those 3 areas I’m going to walk you through in this podcast are -

1. Are you working in the industry that best aligns with your personal values?
2. Does the organization you’re working in fill you with pride?
3. Does your job role inspire you.

I’m about to walk you through each of those 3 areas.

I’m Sherri Thomas. I’m a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a Fortune 100 leadership coach, and President of Your Leadership Lab, and when I say leadership I’m not talking about a job title like a VP or Director. You can be an individual contributor, you can be a project manager, you can be any level in engineering, or sales, or marketing. It doesn’t matter where you are inside an organization. When I say “leadership” I’m talking about your personal leadership skills. Those qualities that help you rise up inside an organization and be heard and get noticed, and be valued and recognized for your special gifts and talents… so that you can get the promotion you want, the job title and salary that you want.

Earlier in my career, when I was a communications manager I abruptly was laid off due to a re-org, and I was devastated. I couldn’t understand how I could do every, single thing my manager asked me do, exceed expectations, get a great annual performance review, and then get laid off. It didn’t make sense to me.

And in that emotional tornado I was thrust in, I made it my personal mission that I would be re-hired into that Fortune 100 company, AND I would do everything I could to learn why some professionals get promoted and these great opportunities and climb the career ladder - while others stay stuck. That became my personal mission. I wanted to look behind the curtain, and learn, what those secret strategies are.

And so that’s what I’ve been doing… I’m happy to say that I was re-hired and stayed with that Fortune 100 company 20 years… in fact, I learned so much about cracking that code of how to get hired and re-hired, and how to get promoted, and how to re-brand yourself inside (and outside) a company, and how to have easier relationships with company leaders and executives, how to get noticed, and be recognized and valued and appreciated… that I became the designated leadership coach for our company’s VP’s and leaders - teaching them how to brand themselves, and how to build a powerful executive presence, so that they could climb the career ladder.

And today, I’m President of Your Leadership Lab and have helped over 10,000 professionals move their career forward. And I’m here today, because there are so many people coming to me unhappy in their jobs, like never before have I seen so many professionals this unhappy in their job… so if you’re feeling that way, just unhappy where you are… - then this episode is for you because I’m about to walk you through 3 areas in your career where you may be able to make some adjustments, and I encourage you to examine these 3 areas so that you can set yourself up for having a more meaningful and energizing career.

So let’s dive into the 1st area…

1. Are you working in an industry that best aligns with your personal values?

Just because you have a job in a specific industry doesn’t mean you have to stay there. What I mean by that is… if you’ve worked in the finance industry for the past 10 years, it doesn’t mean you have to stay in the finance industry. Many skills transfer from industry to industry because almost all companies need great talent with IT, finance, sales, HR, marketing, customer support, data analytics, legal, business operations, project management and leadership skills. I recommend researching different industries and selecting one that best aligns with your personal values and career goals.

For example, if you want to bring positive change in the world by doing good things for the planet and society, then focus on industries such as healthcare, civil service or green manufacturing. Or, another example, if your top priority is having a higher paycheck, then target high-paying industries like engineering, or legal. If you’re craving more job security (or need a job quickly) then concentrate on high-growth industries such as IT, telehealth and technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and 3-D printing.

If you're interested in researching different industries, I have a few resources for you on my blog at https://yourleadershiplab.com/blog/

2. Does the organization you’re working in fill you with pride?

Making a higher salary may be a priority, but if you’re miserable in your job then it doesn’t matter how much you’re paid. What are your must-have requirements for the company and environment where you work? What kind of company culture and management style are important to you? What about diversity, inclusion and work-life balance? Does the company sell a product or service that you believe in? Is the company ethical? Make a list of your must-have company requirements. Then, use it to identify your top-10 wishlist of companies where you ultimately would love to work.

After you have your top-10 wishlist, I recommend bookmarking each company’s career web page (most companies promote job openings on their website before advertising them on external job boards such as LinkedIn and Indeed) so you can easily check job openings every week. Also, be sure to connect with their leaders and managers on LinkedIn so that you can engage in their posts and start forming relationships. Not only will your requirements help you develop a top-10 wishlist of companies that you’d ultimately love to work for, but they’ll also help you create questions to ask in your job interviews to help you decide whether the organization is a good fit for you.

If you're interested in researching different companies, I have a few resources for you on my blog at https://yourleadershiplab.com/blog/

3. Does your job role inspire you.

When you think about getting paid for doing a job, what responsibilities do you want to drive and own? In which area(s) do you want to be the go-to person for expertise and advice? What kinds of problems do you want to solve? What kinds of products or services do you want to innovate? Creating a list of job role must-have requirements allows you to let go of all of the mediocre job openings so you can focus your time and attention on those you really want. It also helps you stand out in your job interviews.

One of my clients was recently hired for a director-level position and asked his new boss why she hired him from all the other job candidates. She said it was when he said that he liked to “fix chaos and broken teams” that she knew he was the right person. Get clear on the responsibilities you want to own so that you can tailor your résumé (and your interview answers) to those skills and results that match your must-have job role requirements.

All jobs have days of stress and frustration, but when you’re excited and energized in your career, you’re better able to manage through the tough days.

It’s your career. Take ownership and drive it where you want it to go. By identifying your requirements for the industry, company and job role that you really want, you’ll be much more likely to attract and land those opportunities that truly inspire you.

I’m Sherri Thomas of Your Leadership Lab. If you’re feeling stuck in your career… or you’re having a challenge with your manager or leadership chain… if you’d like to get some personalized career strategies to help you break through those challenges and live a bigger career, a more meaningful and purposeful career, then I invite you to check out my website for personal one-on-one coaching, leadership workshops, or having me speak at your next company event.

My website is YourLeadershipLab.com That’s YourLeadershipLab.com

Thanks for listening. I’m Sherri Thomas. Have a great day!