This Is Not The Career I Ordered™
Savvy Professional Career Wisdom by Caroline Dowd-Higgins
Establish a Gossip Free Workplace
![Depositphotos_86435522_S Depositphotos_86435522_S](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_86435522_S.jpg)
I read a fascinating New York Times article by Shayla McKnight who shared a story about her job interview with an online printing company. The Human Resources Manager was clear about the no-gossip policy and no office politics rule before she was even hired. While McKnight thought the policy was refreshing it also seemed hard […]
It’s Time for a Mid-Year Career Refresh
![Portrait of attractive and serene mature woman Portrait of attractive and serene mature woman](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_36647447_S.jpeg)
My grandparents were faithful Christmas Club savers at their local bank. Starting in June, they would deposit money in a special account each month, so they would have savings ready to go for the holidays. While many retailers have Christmas-in-the-summer sales, it’s also a good time to take this halfway point in the calendar year […]
Leverage The Final Work Weeks of 2023
![Aperitif champagne for meeting participants Aperitif champagne for meeting participants](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_10888747_S-360x239.jpeg)
The countdown is on until 2023 is in the rear-view mirror of your career. While many organizations slow down during the final days of December, consider how you can use this time to leverage your influence and set your career stage for the 2024. Make Connections Beyond Your Team Capitalize on the holiday party or […]
End 2023 Strong at Work
![Nothing like that good news kind of email. a thoughtful young businesswoman working at her desk in a modern office. Nothing like that good news kind of email. a thoughtful young businesswoman working at her desk in a modern office.](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_660444170_S-360x181.jpeg)
With days left before the beginning of a new year and the holiday season in full swing – it’s an opportune time to finish out the calendar year with intentionality at work. The economic predictions about inflation, a potential recession, and company lay-offs are conflicting at best, so take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate […]
The Great 4-Day Workweek Experiment
![Depositphotos_223953886_S Depositphotos_223953886_S](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_223953886_S-360x240.jpeg)
As someone with Futuristic in my Top 5 Clifton Strengths profile, I am fascinated by what’s coming down the road. Workplace futurists are predicting trends that range from multi-generational behaviors, remote/hybrid roles, and the 4-day work week. Futurist David Houle calls the 2020’s the most disruptive decade in history. The post pandemic journey has brought […]
Gratitude in the Workplace
![Businesswomen have a break Businesswomen have a break](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_73270255_S-360x240.jpeg)
With the holiday season in full swing, we are reminded about the beauty of gratitude and how showing appreciation can be a powerful experience for the giver and the receiver. I am making a conscious effort to be more grateful on a regular basis, to acknowledge people authentically, and to show how much I value […]
The Future of Work: Insights for 2024 and Beyond
![Title graphic (1) Nov 2023 Title graphic (1) Nov 2023](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Title-graphic-1-Nov-2023-360x240.jpg)
What’s in store for workers and the labor market for 2024? Between October 18–19, 2023, MyPerfectResume surveyed nearly 1,900 U.S.-based workers and asked them to share their forecasts and trends for 2024. Here is the source for the full report. The study provided valuable insights into job opening trends, job burnout, and the future of […]
Boomerang Talent is Ripe for Recruiting
![Female students note from the books at the African girl library Female students note from the books at the African girl library](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_663748854_S-360x239.jpeg)
The Worker’s Market is alive and well putting talent in the driver’s seat in this robust job market. While many employers are scrambling to attract and retain top talent, the often-unexpected population of boomerang and alumni talent is ripe for hiring. Boomerang and Alumni Employees Boomerang talent has worked in or applied to work in […]
I’d Rather Be in Charge
![Young Woman Relaxing In Loft Apartment Looking Out Of Window With Hot Drink Young Woman Relaxing In Loft Apartment Looking Out Of Window With Hot Drink](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_294243218_S-360x240.jpeg)
This phrase resonates so clearly for many of us and happens to be the title of an iconic book by Charlotte Beers. Former Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, I’ve seen Charlotte deliver several keynotes over the years to share her wisdom. Wicked smart, full of moxie and extraordinary life experiences, this queen […]
Feeling Stuck in Your Life or Career? Design Your Way to a Better Future
![Four Young Female Friends Meeting Sit At Table In Coffee Shop And Talk Four Young Female Friends Meeting Sit At Table In Coffee Shop And Talk](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_294239610_S-360x240.jpeg)
You are not alone of you feel stuck, stalled, or stagnated in your career. I work with many clients who have been in the same role, or with the same organization for multiple years and feel that the spark is no longer there when it comes to their work. They feel drained; lack focus, and […]
The Gender Gap? Women and Men in the Labor Market
![Banner graphic (2) Banner graphic (2)](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Banner-graphic-2-360x239.jpeg)
This article originally appeared here: The Gender Gap? Women and Men in the Labor Market and was republished here by permission of LiveCareer. Women can climb career ladders and trees with their children. Still, femininity is not defined by motherhood. At the same time, more and more men are engaged in both professional and family […]
Achievement Intelligence: When is Enough, Enough?
![1696786641175 1696786641175](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/1696786641175-360x312.jpg)
I coined the phrase Achievement Intelligence to help create guardrails from overworking, so we can enjoy our careers and love our lives simultaneously. We live in a culture where we are enticed to look for the next best thing – accomplish more – and constantly raise the bar, which can leave us feeling inadequate and […]
How The Future Works
![Unposed group of creative business people in an open concept office brainstorming their next project. Unposed group of creative business people in an open concept office brainstorming their next project.](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Depositphotos_109319158_S-360x240.jpeg)
The pandemic turned the traditional nine-to-five workday on its head out of necessity. The 2-year (and counting) global case study in remote/hybrid work has irrevocably changed how many people want to work moving forward. With the Worker’s Market driving change, savvy organizations are rethinking the way we work long-term in the new digital-first workplace. My article title […]
Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso and What to Ask Your Boss
![Ted-Lasso-Believe Ted-Lasso-Believe](https://carolinedowdhiggins.com/wp-content/uploads/Ted-Lasso-Believe-1024x512-360x180.jpeg)
The resources on leadership can be overwhelming from books to podcasts, to TED Talks, research, methodologies, and beyond. While I value the volume of resources available, these 12 lessons from Ted Lasso, the award-winning series on Apple TV about an American football coach leading a British soccer team are simple and powerful. The Ted Lasso […]