The most dangerous belief in professional development: "If I avoid failure, I'll succeed faster." After years of studying high performers across industries, I've noticed something counterintuitive: the most successful people have failed more times than most professionals have even tried. Warriors have scars. That's not poetic—it's practical wisdom. Here's what the data actually shows: - Growth happens at the edge of discomfort. When you're in your comfort zone, you're optimizing existing skills—not building new capabilities. Every breakthrough requires you to enter territory where failure is not just possible, but likely. - Failure is feedback, not finality. Organizations that punish failure create cultures of risk-aversion. The companies winning right now? They've institutionalized experimentation, which means they've normalized failure as part of the innovation process. - Your resistance is a signal. When your brain screams "this is too risky" or "you're not ready," that's often precisely when you should lean in. That discomfort is your nervous system detecting growth potential. The broader implication for leadership: We need to stop celebrating comfort and start celebrating courage. The leaders building tomorrow's solutions aren't the ones who played it safe. They're the ones with scars from betting on themselves when the outcome was uncertain. The comfort zone isn't safe—it's stagnant. And in a rapidly changing market, stagnation is the riskiest position of all. What's a professional "failure" that ended up being your biggest learning moment? #Leadership #ProfessionalGrowth #Innovation #GrowthMindset

"If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you will never get it done" - courtesy of legendary martial artist, director, philosopher, and filmmaker Bruce Lee. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁...𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺'𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹.  Too often organizations suffer from "paralysis by over-analysis"; either taking too long to make a decision and not maximizing the opportunity, or never making a decision at all and missing the opportunity entirely.  This leads to the staff becoming frustrated, disenfranchised, and unwilling to put forth new ideas.  Here are three ways to combat these issues: 1️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀, 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺. The best leaders don't just eliminate the fear of new ideas; they create psychological safety where challenging assumptions is rewarded, not punished. 2️⃣ 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆. Align your incentives with experimentation. Treat intelligent failures as valuable data—tuition paid for a lesson learned—not career killers. It is okay to try something and fail, as long as you learn from it.  3️⃣ 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲. Track decision-making speed and creativity with the same rigor you apply to your P&L. You can't manage what you don't measure. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙢 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨: 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚. How are you and your team going to overcome those issues?  #leadership #courage #innovation #decisionmaking #culture

Being coachable isn't about being weak. It's about being strong enough to hear the truth. As someone who's helped students secure places at Ivy League universities and guided women leaders to attract aligned opportunities on LinkedIn, I've learned: Being defensive doesn't just block one piece of feedback.  It quietly closes the door to all future growth. Here's what happens when we can't receive input: ↳ Future insights stay unspoken  ↳ Growth chances pass us by quietly  ↳ Potential mentors step back without saying why Meanwhile, leaders who stay open?  They attract opportunities like a magnet. Here's how to build this game-changing skill 👇 This week, check your feedback response with kindness: 1/ Notice your first reaction without judgment  ↳ Does your body tense when someone offers input?  ↳ Do you prep your defense while they speak?  ↳ What emotion comes first. Curiosity or protection? 2/ Spot your patterns with care  ↳ "That's not what I meant..." (redirecting)  ↳ "But the context was..." (justifying)  ↳ "I already know that..." (dismissing) 3/ Create your openness habits  ↳ 24-hour rule: Reflect before responding to hard feedback  ↳ Three-question rule: Ask questions before making statements  ↳ Action-first rule: Try one insight before talking further Then make the powerful shift: Stop: Defending who you are today  Start: Becoming who you're meant to be Stop: Proving you're already good enough  Start: Finding out how great you can become Signs you're building this superpower: → Feedback feels less scary over time  → You ask for it to grow  → Your progress speeds up naturally Your career ceiling isn't set by talent alone.  It's lifted by how much truth you can receive with grace. PS: What feedback have you received lately that could fuel your next level? ♻️ Repost to help others grow strongly and sustainably. 🔖 Follow Véronique Barrot for more growth and self-leadership insights.

💡 15 Years in the Corporate World — One Skill That Changed My Perspective: Emotional Intelligence (EI) As I reflect on my 15-year corporate journey, one capability has consistently shaped individual growth, team culture, and organizational success — Emotional Intelligence, a concept profoundly championed by @Daniel Goleman. Across my practical experience, I’ve observed that: ✅ High-EI individuals collaborate better, handle pressure wisely, and lead with empathy. ✅ High-EI teams/departments foster innovation, trust, and high performance. ✅ High-EI organizations stay adaptable, resilient, sustainable, and achieve long-term success. Research from Harvard & Stanford reinforces a powerful truth: 🔹 Success = 20% IQ + 80% EQ IQ may open the door, but EI determines how far we grow and how well we lead. What inspires me most is the science behind EI — it’s not just a soft skill. It is a biologically rooted strength that shapes how effectively we understand emotions, manage relationships, influence outcomes, and build meaningful human connections. Daniel Goleman’s EI framework continues to guide leaders globally to develop: ✨ Self-Awareness ✨ Self-Management ✨ Empathy ✨ Social Skills ✨ Motivation In today’s dynamic workplace, EI is not optional — it is a leadership advantage and a cultural differentiator. If we embed EI into our work culture, people thrive, teams excel, and organisations transform. Would love to hear your reflections — How has EI impacted your leadership or growth journey? #EmotionalIntelligence #DanielGoleman #Leadership #SelfAwareness #PeopleFirst #CorporateLife #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #Empathy #HumanSkills #OrganisationalCulture #GrowthMindset #LearningAndDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #SuccessMindset

📈 Climbing the Ladder to Professional Power: Shifting from Victim to Accountable In your career, you can't always choose what happens to you, but you CAN always choose your response. The difference between Victim (Powerless) and Accountable (Powerful) is just a few rungs on this ladder. Look at the image: Are you stuck at the bottom with 'I'm Not Aware' or 'I Blame Others'? Or are you focused on the top, ready to 'Own It' and 'Make It Happen'? Moving up is an active choice that defines high-performers and true leaders. The 7 Ways to Rise Above the Victim Mindset (Quoted for Impact): Recognize your thoughts – Catch yourself when you blame or complain. (Self-awareness is the first step up the ladder.) Accept reality – Face the facts without denial. (You can't solve a problem you refuse to see.) Take ownership – Ask, “What’s my part in this?” (Own the problem, own the solution.) Focus on solutions – Turn “Why me?” into “What’s next?” (This is the strategic pivot.) Stop waiting – Action beats hope every time. (Waiting is a strategy for failure.) Learn from setbacks – Failures are lessons in disguise. (Every mistake is just data for your next win.) Use empowering language – Replace “I can’t” with “I’ll find a way.” This intentional mindset shift is crucial for resilience, innovation, and ultimately, career progression. This shift is the single biggest growth accelerator for any professional. It moves you from waiting for permission to creating your own success. 📌 Your Call-to-Action: Which rung on the Accountability Ladder do you find most challenging to climb? Share your honest experience or a tip on how you maintain an "I Own It" mindset! 💡 Let's Discuss: Looking at the ladder, which rung do you see most often in your industry (in others or even yourself), and what’s the single best piece of advice you have for making the jump to 'I Find a Solution'? #Accountability #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerAdvice #SelfImprovement #HighPerformance #TakeAction #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #CorporateCulture #GrowthMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeanSixSigma

Motivation gets you started. 🚀 Discipline keeps you going. Motivation might give you some results. But discipline❓ That’s what builds dreams. That’s how you create real wealth: 🔥 - Professional - Emotional - Financial Here are the 7 differences that matter: 👇 1/ Energy source 🟥 Motivation relies on mood ✅ Discipline runs on commitment ↳ Motivated leaders show up when it feels good. ↳ Disciplined leaders show up no matter what. 2/ Consistency 🟥 Motivation is unpredictable ✅ Discipline is reliable ↳ You might post once when you're inspired. ↳ Discipline is posting every week, even when no one’s watching. 3/ Decision-making 🟥 Motivation chases dopamine ✅ Discipline follows direction ↳ Motivated entrepreneurs pivot with every trend. ↳ Disciplined ones stick to their vision through noise. 4/ Growth under pressure 🟥 Motivation fades when it’s hard ✅ Discipline sharpens under pressure ↳ Motivated teams collapse in crisis. ↳ Disciplined teams adapt and deliver. 5/ Momentum 🟥 Motivation starts fast, burns out ✅ Discipline starts small, compounds ↳ The motivated founder has a big launch. ↳ The disciplined one builds a lasting company. 6/ Time horizon 🟥 Motivation is short-term ✅ Discipline is long-term ↳ Motivation helps you win the day. ↳ Discipline helps you win the decade. 7/ Leadership style 🟥 Motivated leaders inspire ✅ Disciplined leaders transform ↳ Motivation gives a great speech. ↳ Discipline builds a great culture. In business and in life, motivation is useful, but it’s never enough. 😢 It’s discipline that closes the gap between vision and reality... - Between talent and legacy. - Between effort and wealth. Motivation builds moments. Discipline builds empires. 💵 Which one are you relying on right now ❓ Follow me👉 Samantha Mash for more inspiration and wisdom. 🙏 Video credit: Dennis Berry #Innovation #Management #DigitalMarketing #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Careers #Marketing #SocialMedia #Branding #Motivation #PersonalDevelopment #Money #Analytics #Data #sales #eCommerce #Culture #Commerce #Networking #Business #Leadership #Health 

The Not So Subtle Trap of Suggestive Thinking Be careful what you co-sign to—even when it’s in your own head. Not every thought is your own. Throughout your professional journey, you’ve likely received “well-intentioned feedback” such as, “You’re not ready for the next level,” “You still have time to develop,” or “Don’t rush.” In good faith—or out of respect for the messenger—you accepted these words as truth. But were they genuine guidance, or subtle suggestions, which quietly limited your ambition and self-belief? The truth is, you’ll rarely feel completely ready for new roles, expanded responsibilities, or your next leap forward. And that’s okay. Growth rarely waits for perfect timing. The best leaders learn to move while still becoming—to operate in ambiguity, gather insight on the fly, and build confidence through action. So the next time someone tells you to “wait your turn,” pause and ask yourself: Is this wisdom… or suggestion disguised as it? #MindsetMatters #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerAdvancement #SelfAwareness #ThoughtLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #CriticalThinking

🌟 10 Soft Skills That Get You Hired — and Promoted 🌟 In today’s professional world, technical skills may get you the job, but soft skills will keep you growing and leading. The most successful professionals aren’t just experts in what they do — they excel at how they connect, communicate, and inspire others. Here are 10 soft skills that truly set high performers apart: 1️⃣ Getting Things Done Results speak louder than promises. People who deliver without excuses build trust and earn credibility — the foundation for every promotion. 2️⃣ Executive Presence How you speak, stand, and carry yourself shapes how others see your leadership readiness. Confidence and clarity inspire confidence in others. 3️⃣ Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Understanding people is more powerful than understanding systems. EQ helps you navigate office dynamics, resolve conflicts, and build loyal allies. 4️⃣ Decision-Making Leaders stand out by making smart, timely decisions — especially when the path isn’t clear. Courage in uncertainty earns lasting respect. 5️⃣ Difficult Conversations Handling tough talks with empathy turns challenges into trust-building opportunities. It’s what separates managers from true leaders. 6️⃣ Strategic Thinking Seeing the big picture — patterns, risks, and opportunities — makes you invaluable. Strategic thinkers move organizations forward. 7️⃣ Persuasion Facts tell, but stories sell. The ability to communicate ideas with conviction can turn skeptics into supporters. 8️⃣ Confidence When you believe in your value, others do too. Confidence opens doors that skill alone cannot. 9️⃣ Learning Agility The best professionals are fast learners. Adaptability shows you’re ready for the next challenge — and the next role. 🔟 Resilience Every setback is a setup for growth. Leaders who bounce back stronger show they’re built for lasting success. 💼 Key Takeaway: Soft skills are no longer “optional.” They are the invisible currency of career advancement. In an age of automation and rapid change, organizations don’t just need experts — they need emotionally intelligent, adaptable, and forward-thinking people who can lead others through complexity. If you master these 10 traits, you won’t just fit in — you’ll stand out. #CareerGrowth #Leadership #SoftSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkplaceSuccess #EmotionalIntelligence #CareerAdvice #Promotion #GrowthMindset #PersonalBrand

More than 80% of professionals unknowingly operate with a fixed mindset. They don’t call it that, but it shows up every time they say: “That’s just how I am.” “I’ve always done it this way.” “I’m not the type who can change.” It’s subtle. It’s familiar. And it’s quietly killing growth. According to Harvard Business Review, organisations that cultivate a growth mindset outperform competitors by: - 34% in employee engagement - 49% in innovation outcomes Yet many professionals still operate from a fixed lens, mistaking comfort for competence and stability for strength. The fixed mindset convinces you that your past defines your ceiling. It whispers that your limits are permanent. But they’re not. Peter Drucker once said: “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence itself it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” That’s the essence of the fixed mindset operating with yesterday’s logic in tomorrow’s world. I’ve seen brilliant founders plateau because they stopped learning. Talented teams shrink under leaders who couldn’t be wrong. Not for lack of talent but because they stopped becoming. This is the shift: 1. What am I assuming that can’t change? 2. What skill or system has outgrown its usefulness? 3. Who around me is ready for more, but I’m keeping them boxed in? Because the moment you start questioning limits, you start unlocking potential. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, built a trillion-dollar turnaround by one mantra: “Don’t be a know-it-all. Be a learn-it-all.” The leaders who will win in the next decade won’t just be the smartest, they will be the most adaptable. Those who keep learning, unlearning and growing. Your mindset is your real market advantage. Don’t let it stay fixed. #Leadership #GrowthMindset #BusinessTransformation #ContinuousImprovement #ExecutiveLeadership

From “Boss” to “Learner”: The New Leadership Mindset We All Need Visualise this. You’re the boss of your business, division, or department. You earned your position through years of hard work and mastery. But lately, things feel… flat. You’re not losing money, yet you know there’s room for more. You look around and realise - half your team is half your age. You might assume their lack of experience is holding growth back. But pause for a moment. What if they actually know more than you do? What if they’re seeing the world through a fresher, more adaptive lens - while yours is clouded by the very “experience” that once made you successful? Leadership thinker Marshall Goldsmith puts it perfectly: “What got you here won’t get you there.” The world of leadership has changed - radically. Once, leaders rose by knowing and doing more than their teams. Today, knowledge is democratized. The internet has levelled the field. Anyone with curiosity can access what was once reserved for the few. Capital and opportunity now reward agility, not authority. Entrepreneurial energy is rewriting the rules. With technology flattening hierarchies, leadership is no longer about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about how effectively you empower the room. Yesterday’s formula for success - control, direction, expertise, no longer guarantees tomorrow’s relevance. Modern leaders must listen deeply, learn continuously, and co-create with their teams. The best leaders are not commanders but coaches: those who enable others to shine. Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t confined to startups. It belongs in every workplace that values ownership, curiosity, and adaptability. True leadership today is about learning with, not above, your people. It’s about building trust, nurturing talent, and sharing success. So ask yourself: Are you still busy proving yourself, or are you helping others reach their potential? Empower. Inspire. Transform. Together. #LeadershipShift #MarshallGoldsmith #GrowthMindset #Empowerment #Feedforward #DigitalLeadership #ContinuousLearning #EntrepreneurialMindset #LeadWithEmpathy #Teamwork #ServantLeader #BusinessTransformation #ModernLeadership