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Dan Smolen says people should use SWOT to focus on career success.

That’s right. The time-honored business management tool, the SWOT analysis, can help careerists to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Getting to blissful work and experiences takes great planning and imagination. And this time-honored business tool can focus our minds on finding and doing meaningful work.

SWOT helps entrepreneurs focus for career success. That is, because, it prepares brands, businesses and themselves for abundant scale. And there is no doubt that SWOT can also help us supercharge our careers.

What are your career strengths?

Perhaps it is strong project management skill? Or maybe it is a strings of sales successes? Whatever they are, list them.

What are your career weaknesses?

Perhaps you lack access to the kind of training you fell will make your career successful. Identify and list them.

What are your career opportunities?

Maybe you seek work in EVs or renewable energy? Dream about them, then list them.

What are your career threats?

Suppose that you are used to working remotely, and you enjoy the experience, but your company leadership wants you back in the co-location? Whatever renders you career threatened, list them on the form.

I’m certain you will find benefit in using SWOT to focus career success. With it, you will establish the foundation for your career empowerment story. With a starting point, you will begin  the first big step in making the work that you do, or hope to do, truly meaningful.

EPISODE DATE: January 7, 2022

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Dan Smolen believes that good health and future work will be informed by pandemic responses.

As 2021 draws to a close, the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has spread like wildfire. And clear to many people now is this: because about a one-third of the nation remains unvaccinated, we will, for the foreseeable future, encounter more Covid variant outbreaks.

Good health and future work are inextricably linked. And that is, because, future variants will impact how and where we work.

We all want good health. And it is among our new year’s wishes to loved ones and friends. But, as a nation we lack the resolve of previous generations to respond to pandemics. Once, we mass vaccinated against Polio Militis and other diseases, thus eradicating them. However, with over 100 million Americans unwilling to vaccinate, we are ensured a future in which Covid becomes endemic.

Our guest earlier this year, infectious disease expert Dr. Rob Citronberg, predicted that annual Covid booster shots are most definitely in our future. And that is, because:

“This [Covid-19] is not going away. In fact, there is no doubt that it is going to become endemic.”

To that end, there are implications for our good health and future work.

Workforce professionals who once may have reliably returned to co-locations will now opt for hybrid workplace venues. How people engage during the workday will change as well. And hiring managers now must learn how to adapt and embrace a new way of engaging with, and leading, people.

During 2021, it took a pandemic turned endemic to turn the future of work present. And in 2022, breathtaking work and workplace changes will happen with all deliberate speed.

Whether you rolled up your sleeves to get Covid jabs or if you resisted, know that your choice fully informed the future of work. And, as a result, we are never going back to a pre-pandemic normal.

EPISODE DATE: December 31, 2021

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Dan Smolen reflects on the Holiday Season and one tired, burned out workforce.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Have you arrived at the holiday rested or refreshed? Or are you a burned out mess?

According to a recent post on FortuneDaily:

“The physical and emotional exhaustion that turns into workplace burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of hundreds of microstressors on the job that ultimately lead to employees hitting the wall, mentally checking out, or even quitting their jobs entirely.”

As the Great Resignation extends, millions of people each month do leave their jobs, often with no new ones to replace them. Thus, one tired, burned out workforce reels.

On the podcast this week, we reflect on a recent tweet authored by organizational psychologist and best-selling author Adam Grant:

“The holidays shouldn’t be a time to recharge. They should be a time to celebrate. If work is exhausting people to the point that they’re using their time off to recover, then you might have a burnout culture.”

EPISODE DATE: December 24, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:51 — 54.8MB)

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Dan Smolen discovers from Gitlab’s Darren Murph how remote work can work.

As GitLab’s Director of Remote Work, Darren is “the voice in the room” that evangelizes the trailblazing company’s distributed workforce operating model.

What is more, Darren authored The GitLab Remote Work Playbook, which thousands of people around the globe have downloaded.

As 2021 concludes, positive forces of workplace change mean that people can live and work wherever they please.

And as such, Gitlab supports happier professionals who enjoy doing work that is part of the day and not the day.

A 100 percent distributed workforce is central to GitLab’s success.

In this episode, Darren describes:

• His role at Gitlab. Starts at 4:52
• Why GitLab is a 100 percent distributed workforce. Starts at 6:53
• How he and the company found each other and his role materialized. Starts at 8:32
• Opportunities and challenges inherent in framing a value proposition for recruited talent. Starts at 9:54
• The revolutionary aspects of living and working anywhere. Starts at 16:28
• Reengineering relocation to places where people want to live and work. Starts at 29:10
• The localistic benefits to livable communities unleashed by Gitlab’s operating model. Starts at 32:59

Amazing outcomes happen when you allow talent to determine where they live and work. Of that, Darren adds:

“For hundreds of years, we have fit life around the rigid confines of work. But, when you achieve remote work at scale, you can live your life and then fit work into it.”

During 2021, Gitlab became a publicly traded company, tracked under the ticker symbol GTLB.

About our guest:

Quite possibly, Darren Murph is the world’s first Director of Remote Work. He received a Bachelor of Science in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management from NC State and an MBA from Campbell University. He lives and works in North Carolina.

EPISODE DATE: December 17, 2021

Social media:

– Darren Murph on LinkedIn

– Darren Murph on Twitter

– Living the Remote Dream (Amazon.com book page)

– GitLab Website

– The GitLab Remote Playbook

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Dan Smolen interviews  Overflow PBC co-founder and CEO Laura Marella on finding success in independent work.

Laura co-founded Overflow PBC to help solo-entrepreneur marketing and strategy professionals succeed.

In 2021, the rise of independent benefitted people who compete for business with large firms and agencies.

As a business accelerator and professional community, Overflow PBC provides independent professionals with specialized tools and resources that they need to compete effectively with big enterprises. What is more, Overflow connects “indies” to a large and growing ecosystem of likeminded people.

Laura describes the brand’s unique value proposition, in people finding success in independent work:

“Instead of being a marketplace of consultants, [we wanted] to create a marketplace for consultants.”

In this episode, Laura:

• Introduces Overflow PBC. Starts at 4:20
• Explains how Overflow PBC members may overcome their skill gaps or cavities. Starts at 13:43
• Describes how a growing sector of independent workers will benefit from the Gig Economy. Starts at 16:16
• Supports her belief in Stakeholder Capitalism. Starts at 20:38
• Recalls how experience as a “corporate escapee” informs her current work as an independent strategist. Starts at 25:20

Overflow PBC is a certified public benefit corporation (b corp) chartered in the State of Delaware. Its founding members are located across the globe. 

People finding success in independent work is a breakthrough story of 2021. And it will impact the future of work for years to come.

About our guest:

Laura Marella received a Bachelor of Science in Communications Management from Ithaca College’s Park School of Communications. During her years in the agency space, Laura gained a national reputation for excellence in multi-cultural marketing. She lives and works in Southern California.

EPISODE DATE: December 10, 2021

Social media:

– Overflow PBC Website

– LinkedIn Page

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:43 — 47.7MB)

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Dan Smolen asks Plutoshift’s Prateek Joshi: will artificial intelligence improve future work?

Prateek is the founder and CEO of Plutoshift, a company that uses artificial intelligence or A.I. to make the world a better place.

This we know: artificial intelligence frightens people who fear that robots will take their jobs and paychecks.

And, truth be told, A.I. will soon replace millions of low-skill jobs; it manages many tasks faster and better than people.

But A.I. has no heart; only people can do jobs that require human touch and interaction.

In this episode, Prateek:

• Describes Plutoshift and his role in the company. Starts at 4:03
• Defines artificial intelligence and contrasts it with Machine Learning. Starts at 4:51
• Addresses workforce concerns that A.I. takes jobs away from people. Starts at 9:52
• Illustrates how Plutoshift helps clients involved with providing clean and potable water. Starts at 14:03
• Identifies the training and advanced skill that he seeks in hired talent. Starts at 21:25
• Tells us how, beyond his work, he adds fun and enjoyable activity to each day. Starts at 28:59

In regards to the question, will artificial intelligence will improve future work, Prateek says:

“One of the biggest things that [we look for] is the ability to learn. [Are you] the type of person who has learned how to learn?”

Interview starts at 2:50

About our guest:

Prateek Joshi earned a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka and a Masters of Science in Computer Vision from USC. He is the author of numerous books on Artificial Intelligence. Prateek lives and works in Palo Alto, California.

EPISODE DATE: December 3, 2021

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Plutoshift Website

– Prateek Joshi Website

– Amazon Author Page

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:18 — 62.3MB)

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Dan Smolen discovers Raj Subrameyer’s immigrant’s future work story.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:54 — 39.7MB)

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Dan Smolen interviews Cristina DiGiacomo who wants people to get philosophical for work success.

An author, podcaster, and practical philosopher, Cristina draws on ancient insight to help people solve contemporary problems. And as the founder of MorAlchemy, she guides people with practical philosophy to lead happier, more purposed lives doing meaningful work.

Skeptics may not recognize the value to get philosophical for work success. But, for every stressor, difficult workplace relationship, and vexing business problem Cristina says:

“There’s a philosophy for that.”

In this episode, Cristina describes:

• Her work through MorAlchemy and the idea of practical philosophy. Starts at 4:14
• How she gets “high flyers” to settle their minds to embrace practical philosophy. Starts at 7:54
• Overcoming skepticism. Starts at 12:24
• Her reaction to Adam Grant’s article on languishing, and ways that practical philosophy helps to overcome languishing. Starts at 15:12
• Participating in the collective goal of humanity. Starts at 21:31

Full interview starts at 2:52

Cristina believes people should get philosophical for work success. She says:

“Things like the handshake were born out of philosophical ideas. The norms that we take for granted in our society, of how we should interact with each other, all come from philosophy.”

About our guest:

Cristina DiGiacomo earned a Bachelors of Science in Communications from the State University of New York at Albany and a Masters of Science in Organizational Change Management from New School University. She lives and works in New York City.

EPISODE DATE: November 19, 2021

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Website

– WiseUp! Book Author’s Page

– WiseUp! Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:05 — 45.5MB)

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Dan Smolen interviews author Daniel Pink to discuss what drives us to work. Dan is The New York Times’ best-selling author of several books, including DRIVE: The Surprising Truth of What Motivates Us.

In good economies and bad, what drives us to work remains unchanged.

During the pandemic, millions in the American workforce adjusted to remote work. And a large share of them became part of The Great Resignation. Yet often, motivations drive us to work towards positive purpose and meaning.

In this episode, we discuss how:

• Autonomy, mastery, and purpose motivations take root in our lives. Starts at 4:34
• Corporate managers often believe that money is the only work-performance motivator. (It isn’t.) Starts at 7:37
• The pandemic affects our thoughts. Starts at 13:16
• Answering “what is my sentence?” can aid your purpose and meaningful work career goals. Starts at 24:32
• Regret can help improve our lives and work. Starts at 28:30

What drives us to work is key to our success in the future of work.

About our guest:

Daniel Pink earned a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School where he edited the Yale Law and Policy Review. Currently, he is writing a seventh book on the subject of regret. Daniel lives and works in Washington, D.C.

EPISODE DATE: November 12, 2021

Social media:

– Daniel Pink Website

– World Regret Survey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:51 — 31.4MB)

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Dan Smolen uncovers a culture of workplace empathy with podcast guest Hannah Jew.

Hannah Jew (last name pronounced “Joe”) is an empathy building brand strategist for Scotts Miracle-Gro, the nation’s leading lawn and garden care company.

A culture of workplace empathy is central to how Hannah does her job; it helps drive value for consumers who rely on her company’s products to grow flowering plants and food from seed.

Hannah accepted employment at Scotts Miracle-Gro while pregnant with her second child. And her hiring manager there made Hannah’s onboarding a rewarding experience.

In this episode, Hannah describes:

• Accepting a new job while expecting a child. Starts at 4:24
• How management created for her a phenomenal maternity leave workaround. Starts at 6:35
• The gendered workplace experience and its impact on female professionals.  Starts at 10:31

Hannah also answers the question: should “mom” be on a résumé? Starts at 19:01

Interview starts at 2:56

Hannah Jew experiences a culture of workplace empathy, a central value in the future of work.

About our guest:

Hannah Jew received Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives and works in Columbus, Ohio.

EPISODE DATE: November 5, 2021

Social media and Published Work:

– Instagram

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Website (HannahJew.com)