Know Your Value & Launch Your Influence®

We’re two months and four weeks into 2025.
It’s been a whirlwind year for the globe. 🌍
From earthquakes and blazing fires 🔥 to torrential storms 🌩️, blizzards 🌨️, floods 🌊, tornadoes 🌪️, and celestial blood moons 🌓—we are undeniably in a new season.

As we approach a new quarter, I refuse to carry an old mindset forward.
One of the most Frequently Shared Statements (FSS) I hear from clients is:

“I don’t know how to demonstrate my value.”

This pain point is valid—and deeply revealing.
Why? Because it’s nearly impossible to demonstrate something you:
a) cannot recognize
b) do not understand
c) cannot connect with or relate to

In the midst of mass layoffs and government shutdowns, having a clear understanding of your value is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Value is not distributed equally, nor is it easily accessed, even though it’s within reach. Too often, we allow others to define our worth, shaping our narratives through their limited lens. I’m here to challenge that mindset—and help you reclaim the authority to define your own value.

🗓️ On Thursday, March 27th at 12pm (Noon), I invite you to a bold reset—one that reconstructs how you see, speak, and stand in your value.
Whether you're navigating rumors, confronting harsh truths, or sitting in the tension of uncertainty, this conversation is for you.

🎯 Join us for "Launch Your Influence & Your Value: Know Your Worth"—a transformational webinar designed to equip you before someone else tries to define you.

🔔 Seats are limited—secure yours now and take the first step in reclaiming your narrative.

Bridging the Gap: Understand & Cultivate Your Future Skills in Your Job Search

In today’s competitive job market, professionals often struggle to differentiate between core industry competencies, soft skills, and technical expertise—yet, mastering this distinction is essential for career growth. Whether you’re pivoting careers, aiming for an executive role, or re-entering the workforce, knowing how to present and develop these skills effectively can give you a competitive edge. Insights from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that technological advancements, particularly in AI and automation, are expected to displace approximately 92 million jobs by 2030. However, it also projects the creation of 170 million new roles, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs globally.

Core Industry Competencies: The Foundation of Your Professional Identity

Core competencies are the fundamental capabilities that define success in a specific industry or field. These are often broad, strategic areas of expertise that demonstrate your ability to deliver results in your profession. As industries evolve, foundational competencies remain crucial.

For example:

• Project Management in IT and construction industries

• Financial Analysis in accounting and banking

• Strategic Leadership in executive roles

• Supply Chain Management in logistics and manufacturing

These competencies are often expected at a high level and are honed over time through industry experience, education, and continuous learning.

Technical Expertise: The Hard Skills That Get You Hired

Technical expertise refers to specific, measurable skills that enable professionals to execute their job functions effectively. These skills are often industry-specific and require training or certifications. The demand for roles such as AI and machine learning specialists, big data analysts, and fintech engineers is rapidly increasing. Acquiring technical skills in these areas can position you advantageously in the job market.

Examples include:

• Coding & Programming Languages (Python, Java, SQL)

• Data Analysis & Business Intelligence Tools (Tableau, Power BI, Excel)

• Project Management Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Six Sigma)

• Marketing & SEO Tools (Google Analytics, SEMrush, CRM software)

Technical skills are essential for meeting job qualifications and staying relevant in an evolving workplace. However, having technical expertise alone isn’t enough—you must be able to apply these skills strategically within your role.

Soft Skills: The Power of Personal Effectiveness

With the integration of new technologies, skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and effective communication are more valuable than ever. These abilities enable professionals to work seamlessly alongside emerging technologies and within diverse teams. Soft skills, often referred to as “people skills” or “emotional intelligence,” are transferable skills that determine how effectively you communicate, collaborate, and lead within an organization. Unlike technical skills, they are not industry-specific but are crucial in every profession. The report also emphasizes that 44% of workers will need reskilling or upskilling within the next five years to meet the changing demands of their roles.

Key soft skills include:

• Leadership & Influence – Inspiring and guiding teams toward success

• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking – Navigating complex challenges

• Communication & Negotiation – Articulating ideas persuasively and clearly

• Adaptability & Resilience – Thriving in dynamic work environments

• Collaboration & Teamwork – Working seamlessly across departments

Employers increasingly prioritize soft skills because they enhance workplace culture, productivity, and innovation. Even the most technically proficient employees must develop strong interpersonal skills to move into leadership roles.

How to Leverage All Three for Career Success

To stand out in your job search, you must strategically balance these three elements:

1. Identify industry-specific competencies – Understand what’s required at a strategic level in your field.

2. Build technical expertise – Stay up to date with emerging tools and technologies relevant to your profession.

3. Develop strong soft skills – Demonstrate your ability to lead, adapt, and communicate effectively.

Pro Tip: When crafting your resume or LinkedIn profile, be intentional about showcasing all three categories. Use job descriptions and industry trends to guide how you position yourself as a well-rounded professional.

Final Thoughts: Future-Proofing Your Career

In a rapidly evolving job market, the most successful professionals are those who continuously refine their core competencies, technical skills, and soft skills. Investing in ongoing learning, mentorship, and practical application will ensure you stay ahead of the curve.

By mastering this balance, you don’t just land a job—you create a compelling professional brand that makes you indispensable in your industry.

Need help? Click here to work with us as we “Transforming Leaders into Influential Brands.”

or Download our Playbook for a job transition plan to ease the stress and uncertainty of an unexpected career shift.

Demonstrating Your Value: Moving Beyond Branding to Truly Stand Out

In today’s competitive landscape, branding is essential for professionals who want to distinguish themselves. However, there’s a critical element that often gets overlooked: branding without substantive backing can be a deal breaker. A polished personal brand is fantastic, but it must align with the impact you’ve had in your career. The key is ensuring that your presence—whether online or in person—matches the value you bring to the table. This is why defining your value is the #1 challenge faced by so many of our clients.

It’s relatively easy to tell someone what you do. We all have elevator pitches and job titles that encapsulate our roles. But when it comes to quantifying our contributions, that’s where the conversation often stalls. The challenge is not just articulating what you do, but showing how you do it and the measurable impact of your actions. Here’s how to evolve the conversation to truly demonstrate your value and make sure your branding reflects the significant work you’re doing.

1. Shift the Conversation From Tactics to Impact

Instead of focusing solely on what you "tactically" do—your day-to-day tasks—shift the conversation to highlight your key achievements, contributions, and the overall impact you’ve made. This subtle change reframes the entire discussion. This simple shift from job duties to key achievements ensures that your contributions are understood in a meaningful and measurable way.

Rather than saying, “I manage a team of 10 people,” consider saying, “I led a cross-functional team of 10 that successfully implemented a project that resulted in a 20% increase in efficiency for the department.” This not only tells your audience what you do, but it demonstrates how you did it and what the tangible outcome was.

This approach helps others see the full scope of your value—not just your role in a company, but the way you contribute to its success. The goal is to paint a picture that speaks to your leadership, problem-solving skills, and the direct results you drive.

2. Quantify Your Contributions

One of the most powerful ways to define your value is through quantification. Numbers and data speak volumes when it comes to demonstrating impact. It’s easy for many professionals to list the tasks they perform, but the real opportunity lies in showing the results of those tasks.

For instance, instead of just saying “I manage budgets,” try saying, “I’ve overseen budgets totaling $50M, ensuring projects were completed on time and under budget, leading to a 15% reduction in overall costs.” Numbers like this illustrate the breadth of your work and underscore your ability to drive positive outcomes.

When you quantify your contributions, you move from a vague description of your responsibilities to a concrete picture of your impact. Remember valid numbers bring credibility.

3. Frame the Conversation as a Story of Transformation

Another way to stand out and demonstrate your value is by telling the story of transformation. People love a good narrative, and when you present your professional journey as a story of growth, overcoming challenges, and achieving significant results, it becomes more compelling.

You might frame the conversation like this: “I identified a gap in our project management processes, developed a new strategy that was adopted company-wide, and as a result, we saw a 30% improvement in on-time deliveries.” This not only describes what you did but also sets the stage for how you solved a problem, contributed to the organization’s growth, and made a measurable difference.

By focusing on the transformations you’ve brought about, you help others understand that you’re not just an executor of tasks—you’re a change agent, capable of driving meaningful results.

In Conclusion

Branding is vital, but it’s even more important that your branding reflects the true impact you’ve made. When you shift the focus from your tactical work to your key achievements, quantifiable contributions, and the transformations you’ve led, you provide a clearer, more compelling picture of your value. And when your presence truly matches your impact, standing out becomes not just about looking good, but about demonstrating that you’ve earned your place as a leader in your field.

You’re Brilliant—So Why Do You Struggle with Self-Marketing

In a world where we’re constantly sold on brands, products, and services, why do so many high-achieving professionals hesitate when it comes to marketing themselves?

Our Frequently Shared Statement (FSS) or common phrase we hear from executives and senior leaders is: "I don’t know how to package myself."

It’s not that they lack accomplishments—quite the opposite. Many have built impressive careers, delivered outstanding results, and led transformational initiatives. Yet, when it comes to articulating their own value, they pause. Many professionals struggle with self-marketing, even though they excel at promoting others, their companies, or their products.

Why?

There’s a cultural hesitancy around "promoting and selling oneself," especially for high-achieving professionals who believe their work should speak for itself. Culturally, we've been conditioned to believe that expertise alone should be enough. The idea of self-promotion can feel uncomfortable, even unnatural. Many executives would rather let their work speak for itself. But in today’s competitive market, visibility is just as critical as ability.

Here’s the reality: the same way companies invest in branding to position themselves for success, professionals must do the same. Strategic positioning is not about ego—it’s about opportunity. It’s about ensuring that the right people recognize your contributions and that you remain top-of-mind for career-defining opportunities.

That’s where we come in—to help you articulate and showcase your value without feeling like you're ‘selling’ yourself. It’s not about self-promotion; it’s about strategic positioning. At Launch Your Influence, we specialize in elevating your professional presence without the discomfort of self-promotion. We help senior leaders craft a powerful personal brand—one that reflects their expertise, leadership, and impact in a way that feels authentic and compelling.

So, if you’ve ever said, “I don’t know how to package myself,” let’s change that narrative. Because your career deserves the same level of branding excellence that top organizations invest in daily.

How can you begin your new self-promotion journey? I’m glad you asked.

Increase Your Digital Presence: Show Up Where Opportunities Happen

People can’t recognize your expertise if they never see it. Your online presence should work for you—whether that’s LinkedIn, industry forums, or thought leadership platforms.

✅ Action Step:

• Update your LinkedIn bio to reflect your impact and leadership (not just your job title).

• Post once this week—share a key career insight, a leadership lesson, or a success story.

• Engage with others—comment on industry posts, join relevant discussions, and make your expertise visible.

💡 Pro Tip: Consistency is more important than perfection. Start small—visibility grows with action.

🚀 Ready to elevate your influence? Let’s talk.

Lessons from 2024,Failure Isn’t the End

Failure Isn’t the End; It’s the Beginning of Your Next Success

Reflecting on 2024, I’ve come away with three powerful lessons about navigating challenges and reframing failure. These lessons are not just professional insights—they are transformative perspectives that have helped me and countless others build resilience, grow through adversity, and step confidently into the next chapter of success.

1. Acknowledgment is NOT the Same as Agreement.

Acknowledgment and agreement are two distinct concepts. These two are separate and NOT equal.  As a professional seeking new opportunities, acknowledging your mistakes, missteps, and failures is essential. Why? Because acknowledgment is about taking ownership. It’s about saying, “Yes, this happened.” However, acknowledgment does not mean you agree with or accept the circumstances as your final and ultimate reality.

Acknowledgment is a stepping stone. It allows you to analyze and learn from what happened without letting it define you. This mindset is especially critical when you’re building your professional brand. Employers and colleagues alike value individuals who can face challenges with integrity, learn from them, and emerge stronger.

2. I Acknowledge "I Failed," but I Do NOT Agree That "I Am a Failure."

This mindset shift is a game-changer: your failures do not disqualify you—in fact, they qualify you for greater opportunities. Failure is a mirror reflecting areas for improvement, not a verdict on your worth.

The key here is to avoid stopping at, “Oh well, I failed. What’s next?” Instead, dig deeper. Identify the root causes. What was the mentality, mindset, or pattern that led to the failure? What did you miss, overlook, or underestimate? Once you uncover these insights, embrace the lesson wholeheartedly.

When you work through your failures, you emerge not as someone diminished, but as someone refined. Let your setbacks teach you, and you’ll find that each one is an opportunity in disguise.

3. Failure Is Your Launchpad to Success.

Failure is not a dead end; it’s a launchpad. The hierarchy of success cannot—and will not—negate the role of failure. Failure teaches us. It stretches us. It grounds us. It’s the soil where character and resilience flourish.

When you embrace failure as a necessary part of growth, you unlock the power to grow, stretch, and ultimately thrive. Think about it: every great leader, innovator, or entrepreneur has a story of failure that shaped their success. They learned from it, grew from it, and used it as a foundation for future triumphs.

At Launch Your Influence, we believe that failure is not something to fear but something to celebrate. Each setback is a step forward, each mistake a marker on the map to your success.

How These Lessons Can Shape Your Career

Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, pivoting to a new industry, or navigating uncertain times, these lessons provide a framework for resilience and growth:

1. Acknowledge: Take responsibility and analyze the situation with honesty.

2. Reframe: Separate the act of failing from your identity. Failure is something you experience, not something you are.

3. Leverage: Use failure as a tool for growth, grounding, and character development.

These lessons are not just abstract ideas—they’re practical strategies you can apply to elevate your professional presence and stand out in a competitive job market. When you embrace this mindset, you’re not just thriving; you’re leading with influence and resilience.

Websites Helping Candidates Research Job Applicant Companies

Here are the 5 top websites job candidates can use when searching a company they want to apply to:

1. Glassdoor: Glassdoor is a popular website that allows job seekers to research companies, read reviews from current and former employees, and view salary data for specific job titles.

2. LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a social networking site for professionals that can be used to research companies and connect with current or former employees. You can also use LinkedIn to see if you have any mutual connections with people who work at the company.

3. Indeed: Indeed is a job search website that also provides company reviews and ratings. You can learn more about a company's culture, salaries, and work-life balance through Indeed's company reviews.

4. CareerBliss: CareerBliss is another job search website that offers company reviews and ratings. The site also provides salary data, company reviews and job listings for various industries.

5. Company's official website: A company's official website is a great resource for learning more about their products, services, history, and mission. You can also see if the company has won any awards or has been featured in any news articles.

We have 2 bonus websites:

Yahoo Finance. Understanding a company's latest acquisitions, current news, financial state will provide you with great intel when the interviewers prompt you if you have any questions. Your answer is a strong 'YES' because you have done the due diligence and you are well prepared to provide a comprehensive, insightful question(s).

TheLayoff.com An anonymous discussion board that allows participants to provide their glimpse of an organizations behavioral status. I know, I know this is an interesting one, you will have to have good discernment but the awareness that the grass is not always green on the other side has some validity to not being blind sided. Take the meat, and spit the bones out!

Q1 Report

Betting on Me in 2023: (Q1) Report

This year's theme, "Betting On Me in 2023" continues to drive, inspire, and activate our clients to their next best levels. The first 3 months of this year has been absolutely astounding as unprecedented events have shifted the job market.  The industry dynamics for employment is equally interesting. “In fact, an overwhelming majority (75%) of the nearly 7,000 workers that The Muse surveyed are looking to CHANGE jobs in the next 12 months—up from 65% in 2022. “ (source: https://fortune.com/2023/04/24/75-workers-job-seeking-despite-believing-lost-power-market-what-looking-prospective-employers/)

What have we learned?

We are seeing clients reach out to us to help them market their value in an innovative, polished manner that is genuine, credible and true to who they are while displaying their value to attract and capture a given audience for their desired outcomes. By creating prolific and professional digital digests for our clients, silently enabled and encouraged our community to ‘Show Up.’ Their increased confidence encouraged themselves as they were empowered to promote and show-off their portfolios.

Building an Executive Brand is owning your own data. Intimately understanding the value of your professional contributions to varying industries, sectors, departments and functions is critical. We are finding that in some cases, clients may not see how their daily activities roll up to the companies overall business strategy, which is fundamental in understanding how things work both tactically and strategically in ones domain area. Having this comprehensive realization, delineates ‘doers’ from ‘achievers. ’

Beyond the Vision: New Life Resolutions

Our LIVE webinar was the perfect way to kick-off 2023.  Our intimate setting of participants were engaged, and eager to learn. One attendee informed and thanked us saying "for helping me prepare my mind and giving me a guide to track my success."  Our post-event survey feedback indicated consistently that more frequent group calls and engagements are desired. So we are listening, and stay tuned to our next engagement in a few weeks!

Loveuary 

You cannot bet on yourself, without 'showing up.'  So February, we released a bundle of digital downloads to equip job seekers with the right tools to "Show Up" in the job market.  Grab one of our Downloads

March Market Moves 

The need for our clients to ensure their digital portfolios, are equally matched to their physical presence allowed the promotion of engaging our special gem and communication advisor, Coach Nicole Ford. For those who need to finesse their speaking and engagements to any audience, check out the "Elevate Your Presence" package.

Opportunity and Preparation

The doors of opportunity will open for you. It is up to YOU to be prepared.

Over the weekend, I found an email 14years ago, taking the leap of faith to leave a full-time position for a contractor role within a new industry. I had no background or formal education, around engineering nor within in oil and gas. Luckily for me, the Fortune 100 company brought me on because of my EXPERTISE. I realized that this opportunity was in direct alignment with my Life Plan. I had worked in manufacturing, finance, IT, Benefits and Transportation. The next industry that I wanted to immerse myself was either into was oil and gas or the government. My Life Plan required that I worked in a company that provided the structure and exposure of how to engage globally. Working at the bank was awesome, but I knew I was constrained by the very scope of the bank, not being international. They were local with some regional outlets, but nothing global already in place. I decided to move forward and pursue an opportunity in the oil and gas sector. I took a leap of faith and resigned from the bank and joined the oil and gas company and was a contractor for 5 years, until I was hired on Full-Time for an additional 8 years. This only occurred because of 2 things: Being Prepared and by having a Plan.

The Advocate

In 2009, I was introduced to the 7 Levels of Revenue by Bishop Tudor Bismark. This particular Sunday, he was the guest speaker at the Potter’s House, with Bishop T.D. Jakes.

In summary, these are the levels: Wisdom, Vision, Information, Relationships, A good name, Property, and Money.   Today, I want to discuss relationships, specifically corporate relationships.

One’s career is a direct reflection of one key corporate currency, relationships. Corporate currency for promotions, demotions, no growth can all be associated to relationships. The value of a relationship, can easily outweigh economic/financial benefits. I quickly learned the following:

It is not WHAT you know

It is not WHO you know

It is who knows YOU.

This paradigm shift was mind-blowing to me! I realized looking back at my early years of my life; I did not know anybody and anybody who was influential- that knew anybody- had no idea who I was. The only thing working for me was I knew I was good at what I did, there was no DOUBT in my mind I could outwork anyone. But, what is the use of outworking and not progressing upward? During a pivotal time in my career, shifting from the role of a contractor to a full time employee was so exciting! New job, new opportunity, new beginnings, new energy! Then the newness quickly died, when a co-worker did not care for the ‘New’ kid on the block. I was intentional in getting guidance, advice, and direction on how to navigate this difficult relationship. She provided relational insight that has connected us to this day. Her guidance repositioned me to view things from my co-workers line of sight and in doing so, I was more quick to release grace then offense. In this scenario she functioned first as a mentor. A mentor, first level of influence, wants her mentee to succeed and is an expert in a certain space. She is in an expert in Project Management, and provided sound advice with the cultural dynamics within my role within the organization.  Her role quickly shifted as an Advocate, as she is a very, very influential person who has the attention and accessibility to a network of decision makers. As an advocate, she was the one that would mention my name for 'consideration' of a position. Advocates, are also mentors, however the distinction from a mentor is their exposure to high level relationships to those who have the political capital and authority.

In your professional journey, strive to genuinely align with those who can stretch and develop uncultivated areas within you. In the long term, it will be a win-win for all who are involved.

Corporate Connections

No man is an island unto himself. The principle of leadership is based on the premise of some dimension of human engagement with more than themselves. Name one person, in a viable position of leadership, who did not have a connection? John Maxwell’s book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” has so many laws illustrating and confirming leadership based on influences, relations, connections, and circles. All person(s) within a leadership position did not make it on their own.

I believe there are three critical corporate connections essential to the progress, advancement and improvement for any professional growth. Whether you are an entrepreneur, employee, part-time hustler - these sometime silent, stealth connectors will alleviate so much noise for clarity to make sound decisions.