Latest news with #SoarExecutiveCoaching
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Yes, Job Searching Is Hard—And You Can Still Do It
Jaide Massin, Author & Exec. Coach, is founder of Soar Executive Coaching helping leaders grow with clarity, courage, and impact. Let's get real about job searching for a minute. Yes, it's going to take longer than you expect. Yes, it's going to feel uncomfortable. Yes, you're going to have to put yourself out there. And yes, you'll probably get rejected more than once. But none of that means you're doing it wrong. It means you're job searching. Job searching isn't just about finding a job. It's about rediscovering what you want, reintroducing yourself to the market and reminding yourself—and others—of the value you bring. And that process? It can shake your confidence, feel vulnerable and wear you down. But here's the truth: You only need one job. One "yes." And that yes comes when you stop trying to do it all alone and start doing it intentionally. The Job Seekers Who Get Hired Do These Five Things 1. They believe they'll get hired. Not in a fake-it-til-you-make-it way, but with quiet, grounded confidence. They show up as if the job is coming—because they believe it is. 2. They align their tools with the job they want. Your résumé, LinkedIn profile and interview answers should reflect the level and role you're targeting. If they don't? That's where a résumé writer or career coach can help. 3. They tell people. They're not embarrassed to say, "I'm job searching." They tell former colleagues, mentors, friends—even their dentist. The more people who know, the more doors open. 4. They give as well as take. They share leads, make intros and offer help because they understand that career momentum is often a two-way street. 5. They ask better questions. Instead of "Know of any jobs?" they ask: • "What skills are most valuable at your company right now?" • "Who else should I be speaking with?" • "If you were me, where would you focus next?" Better questions spark better conversations, and those lead to real opportunities. They Also Start Before You Think They Do The most successful job seekers don't wait until they're desperate. They stay aware of the market. They take interviews even when they're not looking, just to stay sharp. They keep their networks warm. In this market, you need to be one step ahead, always. Quick Tips For Staying In The Game LinkedIn is still the no. 1 place to look and network. Keep your profile up to date and aligned with your target. Engage. Comment. Reconnect. Check your frustration at the door. It's okay to feel it—briefly. But staying stuck in it won't get you results. Action will. Ask yourself daily: • What did I accomplish today? • Who can I connect with tomorrow? • What filters, companies or roles haven't I explored yet? • Who can I speak with at a company I want to work for? And If You Need Help? Hiring a coach or résumé writer is bringing in a professional to fix a problem you may not even realize is costing you. Think of it as an investment—in your future, your family, your peace of mind. If your messaging or your approach is off, it could be holding you back. And that delay compounds over time. Final Thoughts You only get one shot at your career. Don't guess. And consider not going it alone. You've done hard things before. You can do this, too. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Brave, Not Brutal: How To Give Feedback That Fuels Growth, Not Fear
Jaide Massin, Author & Exec. Coach, is founder of Soar Executive Coaching helping leaders grow with clarity, courage, and impact. getty If there's one theme that keeps surfacing in my coaching sessions with leaders—across industries, levels and cultures—it's this: Giving feedback is one of the hardest parts of leadership. Not because leaders don't know feedback is important. They do. It's because they don't want to come across as harsh, unkind or worse ... mean. So, they hesitate. They water things down. They wait for the "right moment," which often never comes. Meanwhile, performance slips, clarity erodes and frustration quietly grows on both sides. The truth is, giving feedback doesn't have to feel brutal. In fact, when it's done well, it can be one of the most motivating and growth-oriented tools a leader has. Too many of us have been conditioned to see feedback as criticism. Something that points out flaws, mistakes and shortcomings. But feedback—at its best—isn't about what went wrong. It's about what's possible next. Harvard Business Review research backs this up: 92% of people say corrective feedback improves performance—if it's delivered well. That's the key. And it's where many leaders get stuck. Here's the mindset shift I offer to my coaching clients: Feedback isn't a judgment. It's an investment in someone's future. One of the biggest traps leaders fall into is believing that avoiding hard conversations makes them kind. I get it—no one wants to hurt feelings or deal with tension. But as Brené Brown puts it: "Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind." When we don't give honest feedback, we rob people of the chance to improve. We leave them guessing. And often, the frustration we're trying to avoid leaks out anyway—in tone, in avoidance, in missed opportunities. Leadership requires bravery. That means having the courage to say what needs to be said—without blame, without shame and always with the intention to help. Here are three practical strategies I use with leaders to make feedback both effective and empowering: Most people want to do good work. They want to grow. So, instead of focusing solely on what didn't go well, connect the feedback to their why. Instead of saying: "Your presentation wasn't clear." Try: "Clearer slides would help you land your message more effectively—and build the credibility you're working toward with leadership." Wharton research shows that employees are more engaged when they feel progress toward a meaningful goal. Help them connect the dots between what you're saying now and where they want to go. This simple framework helps structure feedback in a way that feels balanced and forward-looking: • Continue what's working. • Start what will help them grow. • Stop what's holding them back. "Continue, start, stop" removes the sting and focuses on behaviors—not identity. I use this in coaching all the time, and leaders find it helps guide clearer, less emotionally charged conversations. This is the real unlock. When you start by asking for their perspective, you shift the tone of the conversation from directive to collaborative. Try: "How do you think that went?" "What do you feel strongest about, and where would you like support?" Research shows people are more open to feedback when they feel heard. When they get to self-assess first, they're more likely to take action on what comes next. Let's be real: Some conversations are tough. Maybe the stakes are high, the pattern has gone on too long or emotions are running hot. That's when it's even more important to slow down and get intentional. Here's a simple script I share with leaders: "This might be a bit uncomfortable to hear, but I'm sharing it because I care about your success and want to help you move forward." That one sentence frames everything. You're not attacking; they're not in trouble. You're partnering with them. And remember: You don't have to have the whole conversation perfectly planned. Prepare your key points, but stay open to dialogue. The goal isn't to control the conversation—it's to connect. At the end of the day, how you give feedback sets the tone for your team culture. High-performing teams give and receive regular, high-quality feedback. When leaders model that it's safe to be direct, others follow. And when feedback becomes a normal part of how we grow—not a surprise, not a punishment—we create teams that learn fast and perform even faster. Giving feedback isn't about being mean. It's about being brave enough to care out loud. It's about telling the truth in service of someone's growth, not their ego. And it's about creating a culture where people know that if something's off, you won't stay silent—you'll help them get better. That's not just good leadership. That's the kind of leadership that builds trust, drives performance and makes the whole organization stronger. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
