Fast Company | How to handle a boss who gives you vague feedback

Smiley ball

My first Fast Company article was published today! Most of us have experienced this problem at some point. This comprehensive guide can prevent your career from stalling. “It can be challenging to push back or ask for clarification, especially with some bosses. But, you can’t settle for ambiguity in your job requirements or fuzzy feedback on…

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How to make requests that don’t frustrate people

Rotary dial telephone

I was talking with a client the other day about how to send emails to potential advisors, investors, etc. I think the natural tendency is to lead up to the “ask” because you are nervous about asking someone for their money, time, or connections. You feel like you have to tell the story and make…

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Are you focused on the expired opportunities in your life?

Boy standing in front of old locked door

Maybe it’s time to let go One of the hardest decisions to make in life is whether you should continue to invest in something or cut your losses. We face this in our friendships, marriages, investments, entrepreneurship, and in our careers. When you try to get help with making your decision, you receive a wide range…

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The Business of You – Career Growth and Transformation

Brilliant Forge - The Business of You

The world has changed. Careers have changed. When I talk about defining and creating the “Business of You,” it’s really about taking control and intentionally designing the career you want and the life you deserve. All too often, I think we let the river of life take us where it will. Early in life, we…

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Fake It 'Til You Make It?

Fake it 'til you make it video frame

You often hear the advice; “Fake it ’til you make it.” But, what does that really mean? I have some thoughts on how to apply that more meaningfully to your career, business, and entrepreneurship.

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When you lead, you set the pace

Jets in formation

Leadership One lesson that I learned in the military is that when you lead, you set the pace. But, it took some bad advice and a few hard knocks before I discovered this. When I first joined the military (many, many years ago), one recurring piece of advice was; “Never volunteer or be up front, but…

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Public Speaking Fear – 3 Surprising Tips to Overcome Yours

Old-time Disastrous Public Speaking on Stage

What techniques do you use to overcome your fear of public speaking and boost your self-confidence before an important meeting, presentation, talk, etc.? For most of my life, I used to fear and hate public speaking. Getting up in front of people to talk? No thanks! But, I actually enjoy it now. No, seriously I…

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Twitter Continues to Struggle with Growth and Engagement

Twitter user growth chart 2016

We need Twitter I know. It sometimes feels like kicking someone when they are already down. But, we can’t stop talking about the troubles with Twitter. It’s because so many of us really like Twitter and want them to figure this all out. As much as Facebook continues to be an unstoppable juggernaut, it isn’t…

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Think about where you place your job loyalty

Frustrated young business man lost job

Losing your job From a recent post by Gretchen Kittelberger about losing her job (CrossFit athlete and prior Counsel at CrossFit, Inc.): “It really wouldn’t have mattered if my work, or my effort, or my output had been 10x or 100x better. At the end of the day I still would have ended up in…

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People don't engage with logos

Larry Cornett, career and business advisor at Brilliant Forge

If you run a small business or startup, you may be guilty of this mistake that I’ve made. We’re excited about creating a new brand and building out a business, so we set up this independent entity from our own personal brand. A logo instead of our face on every social media profile. Using the…

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