The Mid-Career GPS Podcast

Today, you are going to hear my conversation on The Authority Podcast, where I was interviewed by host Ross Romano. You may remember Ross because he was a guest of mine on Episode 220. Navigating the complex terrain of mid-career development requires a balance of self-awareness and tactical communication—a theme we explore in depth. I delve into the power of career transformation and advocate for clear expectations and feedback that pave the way for powerful collaborations.  Ross Romano and I dissect the nuances of expanding your professional network through LinkedIn connections, and emphasizing the endless opportunities for growth no matter where you stand in your career journey.We discuss Brene Brown’s quote, “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just SHOW UP,” and why it means so much to us. We also discuss how you can SHOW UP at work more confidently and without fear, how to build your brand and leadership presence, and how to own where you are and create those new opportunities as you build Your Mid-Career GPS.Check out The Authority Podcast and connect with Ross Romano on LinkedIn. I’ll include that information in the show notes.Click here to download your free Mid-Career Job Seekers Checklist and join my free email newsletter community. Connect with Ross RomanoLinkedIn | The Authority Podcast | Website Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Have you ever felt like networking wasn't for you? Sue Maitland thought the same until she turned her entire career around and learned how to build a networking strategy that was right for her. Join us for a transformative conversation as Sue shares her riveting tale of conquering networking resistance and how she champions others in building a professional community that uplifts, engages, and supports each other. This isn't your average discussion about exchanging business cards; it's an inspiring look at how to network with sincerity and ignite your passion for professional growth.Balancing life's responsibilities while aiming for career success is a juggling act that many of us know all too well. My own journey through this maze has led to eye-opening realizations about the generous spirit of networking and its capacity to open doors to unexpected opportunities. This episode is brimming with practical takeaways, from preparing for networking events with a mindset of what you can contribute to the nuanced art of small talk that establishes genuine rapport. If you're ready to turn every handshake into a meaningful connection, then this conversation with Sue Maitland is an essential listen.Connect with Sue Maitland - sue@suemaitland.com LinkedIn | Website Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Have you ever named a challenge you faced, and then threw it a farewell party? That's exactly what Kevin Lowe did with "Bob" the brain tumor, before his life took a turn into darkness. My guest this week, Kevin Lowe, is a beacon of determination and humor, sharing his extraordinary journey from the brink of losing everything to finding a renewed purpose as a life coach and inspirational podcast host.The spellbinding tale Kevin unfolds is more than just a story of struggle; it's a masterclass in resilience. From navigating the complexities of brain surgery at seventeen to learning to walk, read, and integrate into society without sight, Kevin's insights on faith, family, and the inner strength that emerges from life's trials will leave you captivated. His walkthrough of crossing the graduation stage is not just an achievement but a testament to the power of love and belief in one's self.Peek into Kevin's world as he shares the magic of echolocation and the life lessons he's picked up along the way. Kevin's unique perspective on personal growth and career development is a treasure trove for anyone at a crossroads seeking direction. So, buckle up for an episode that promises to leave you laughing, possibly crying, and definitely inspired to tap into the grit and grace within. Join us as we uncover how Kevin Lowe turned a profound loss into a guiding light for others.Connect with Kevin LoweWebsite | LinkedIn | Grit, Grace & Inspiration PodcastSupport the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

I met Alethea Felton in the summer of 2010. She was working as an instructional coach for the District of Columbia Public Schools, and I had started as a professional development specialist assigned to work with her and her school. We worked together for a year before I moved on to a position at the state superintendent’s office, but we kept in touch. As we saw each other through various stages of our personal and professional lives, I was honored when she reached out to me one day and asked me if I would be her coach to help her navigate her mid-career journey. In this client success story, you’ll hear Alethea Felton’s career journey, which saw her retire from a 20-year career in education, and what led her to explore different career options, which ultimately led to her finding that job she loves. Connect with Alethea Felton: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

As I toast a significant birthday milestone this week, I'm revealing the often-unspoken realities of mid-career navigation and age bias. While illegal, it's likely that you will encounter various career situations where your age will be judged and valued. Additionally, you will face age bias at every stage in your career. But how you face it and communicate your value will make all the difference. In this episode, I'll share some strategies and tips to help you tackle the challenge of presenting your age as a wealth of experience as the asset it truly is. I'll be sharing insights on how to approach interviews with confidence, ensuring that your career's later years are as rewarding as possible. Age is just a number. And how you SHOW UP matters. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

If you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated, what do you do? As you process the events that led to your termination and the tremendous emotions you’re feeling, you need a plan to move forward. And you need support and clarity. Today, I’m joined by Sheryl Scott. We discuss what to do if you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated and what you should consider if you are ready to go out on your own and explore the self-employment route. Sheryl Scott is an independent Legal Shield associate who protects and empowers families, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with affordable legal services and identity theft protection in Canada and the United States. She and I emphasize the importance of fit within a company culture and remind listeners that a wrongful termination lawsuit rarely leads back to the same job.Additionally, we discuss self-employment and mid-career shifts and what you should consider if you decide that going the entrepreneurial route is your next best move. Connect with Sheryl Scott: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

We all have a past! Some of it you are proud of, and some of it, well….come on, we all have something we regret or wish we could have done over again. But in this episode, I want to explore how much of your past you are bringing into your job search/leadership. Trauma is real.Successes are amazing. And your past doesn’t define you. In this episode, I’ll teach you a powerful self-coaching strategy that will help you get better at telling your story and why your past is something you learn from and shouldn’t spend too much time worrying about. And when you implement this strategy, you’ll transform your storytelling and you’ll build Your Mid-Career GPS to find that job you love. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Josef Stetter changed careers nine times and jobs 18 times before he found his dream job. Today, he is known as a career coach extraordinaire who has helped over 11,000 people land their dream job using his unique S.I.G.H. method and helping his clients stand out from their competition by asking questions such as "So what?" and "Who cares?" Josef and I discuss the power of specificity and the art of quantifying your career wins as we discuss the pitfalls of generic job boards and the impact of industry-specific keywords, including a great tip to leverage the Indeed algorithm and your resume. Diving into the nuances of job searching, we reveal how harnessing your passion and unique skills, such as expertise in regulatory compliance, can give you a competitive edge in the job market.Your interview could be the moment that defines your career trajectory, and in this episode, we dissect the art of making a memorable impression. Nine words can set the stage for a powerful dialogue with potential employers, emphasizing pride, significance, and impact. Josef shares his most memorable success story, helping someone land their dream job in less than two days. Connect with Josef: The Celebrate Group | Website | LinkedInSupport the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Have you ever struggled with the silence that follows a job interview? You're not alone, and I'm here to explore why that void exists. In this episode, I'll help you navigate the perplexing world of job interview feedback—or the noticeable absence of it. We're taking a hard look at why your inbox stays empty after you've poured your heart into an interview and why the real message often lies in the outcome itself—a job offer or the lack thereof. As a seasoned career coach and a former hiring manager, I peel back the layers of legal concerns, fairness in hiring, and the expectations that candidates should recalibrate when it comes to feedback.Now, let's talk tactics. When the response you crave isn't forthcoming, I share strategic ways to elicit constructive criticism, and the art of framing questions that can coax valuable insights from even the tightest-lipped employers. Plus, I'll recount a telling tale from my own experience on an interview panel, throwing light on how subjective this whole process can be, and how minor slip-ups may not necessarily seal your fate. So, if you're ready to shift your perspective and leverage every post-interview scenario to your advantage—regardless of how much (or how little) feedback you receive—this is the conversation you need to hear.Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Have you ever considered reshaping your career path but felt unsure about how to translate your experience to new opportunities? If you are looking to make a career pivot and want to know how you can transfer those skills, it must start with you knowing why those skills are needed and confidently communicating why they are valuable to your current or future employer. If you can’t confidently sell yourself, how are you going to get companies and their hiring managers more interested in you? This is one of the reasons why I asked Lisa Friscia to join me on the podcast today. Lisa has successfully pivoted several times in her career, and she pivoted into these roles after a successful career as a history teacher and educational administrator. The conversation takes a deep dive into the valuable competencies that educators bring to the corporate table—strategic planning, data analysis, and more—and how these can be your ticket to new professional opportunities. In this episode, Lisa and I talk about how you need to approach your transferrable skills differently through backwards planning, as well as why it’s imperative you know your content and skills, and where they are valued in your current or future organization’s leadership pipeline. Connect with Lisa FrisciaLinkedIn | WebsiteSupport the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Some managers have told you that you need to work on your soft skills, while others have told you that they are great and valued. Are you the calming presence at work? Are you known for flying off of the handle? Have you been told you are abrupt or aggressive? How can you make your soft skills more tangible and results-based so that you can share them on your resume or LinkedIn profile, especially when you are networking or interviewing? In this episode, I'm going to help you turn those soft skills into fantastic, tangible skills that your organization wants and value, so you can leverage them at your next job interview or promotion conversation. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

A few years into my business, I hired a business coach for public speaking. I learned a lot and often served as a reference for this coach. One day, I received a call from my guest today, Rhonda Sher. She was considering hiring this coach and wanted to know more about my experiences. When I asked her what she did for a living, she told me that she optimized LinkedIn profiles for small business owners and service providers. I was immediately interested and asked her to tell me more.By the end of that call, I hired Rhonda to completely overhaul and optimize my LinkedIn profile. And we’ve stayed colleagues and cherished connections ever since. I was honored when Rhonda agreed to review the LinkedIn section of my book Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next. I’m excited to bring you my conversation with LinkedIn expert and your connections consultant, Rhonda Sher, who is here to talk to you about what you need to be doing on LinkedIn to grow your network, make better professional connections, and where you can be adding more professional value on LinkedIn. Plus, Rhonda shares one of her favorite tips, and mine too, you will not want to miss. Our journey with Rhonda doesn't just shine a spotlight on your "About" section; it's a comprehensive blueprint for being seen and heard in a crowded online space. Discover how a tailored LinkedIn banner can become your branding powerhouse and why updating your profile with fresh recommendations is a game-changer for career advancement. Check out Rhonda's Perfect Your Profile Bootcamp on March 12-15 by visiting https://perfectyourprofile.com. Connect with Rhonda: LinkedIn | Website Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Ever feel like networking is a chore? It's understandable that many mid-career professionals forget about networking as they get wrapped up in their jobs and lives. It's a common circumstance and it's okay if you haven't spent a lot of time networking or on LinkedIn. I'm going to help you with that. Every professional needs a valuable network of people who are there for them and willing to help them with whatever professional or career challenge they face. I’m going to expand on that concept today because, for many mid-career professionals, networking gets pushed aside when the day-to-day challenges of your job take over and you lose track of time networking. In this episode, I’m going to teach you some simple and easy-to-do strategies to up your networking game that will get you making more authentic connections without a lot of time, effort, energy, and stress. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

What do you do when you are 50 years old and find yourself furloughed and out of a job? If this has happened to you, know you are not alone. While we know networking is a great way to find a new job, what can you do to warm up those professional relationships so they can become greater advocates for you and your career?Discover how to make genuine connections on LinkedIn without sounding off alarms at your current workplace and why your online interactions should be as heartfelt as they are strategic.Today, you’ll hear my conversation with Matthew Rolnick, the VP of Strategy and Innovation at Yaymaker, as well as a guy who proudly proclaims he is a super-connector. With over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development, Matthew has a passion for creating memorable and special moments that bring people together and foster collaboration, creativity, and learning.In this episode, we talk about some simple and proven strategies to help you build those relationships, and Matthew answers a question many of you have asked about how to handle any fear your company may find out you are looking for a new job. Connect with MatthewWebsite | LinkedIn Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

I often talk about heart-centered leaders and professionals. After all, you care deeply about the people you work with and who you help every day. While many of you can’t ignore and shouldn’t ignore your big hearts, I want to tell you that your big-hearted nature may be helping or hindering your career and its advancement. You'll hear my personal stories about where being a heart-centered leader has helped me and how its perception held me back from advancing within certain organizations. That’s why, in this episode, I’m sharing some advantages and disadvantages of heart-centered leadership so you can find greater balance in your work and life as you build Your Mid-Career GPS to figure out whatever is next for you and your career.  Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

How you lead and how you SHOW UP as a leader makes or breaks your team?Let’s face it: they either love working with you and for you, or they don’t. And as my guest today points out, the people you led before the pandemic are not the same people today. I'm joined by Darrell Andrews, better known as “Coach D” who is here to talk to us about how leaders need to lead in this post-pandemic era. Darrell shares three powerful strategies to help you lead more effectively and impactfully that will help you grow your leadership presence, build better working relationships with people on your team, and help you and your organization retain great talent. The conversation takes us through the necessity of realigning our core values and the power of emotional intelligence, sharing strategies that promise to enhance your leadership and deepen team connections.We discuss the delicate art of personalized leadership—a cue taken from sports legends like John Wooden—emphasizing the value of understanding individual team members for cultivating loyalty and driving success. The dialogue traverses the evolution from organizational commitment to personal growth, highlighting the importance of crafting a leadership style that is as unique as the team you lead.The episode concludes with a discussion on the subtle power of personal connections in fostering loyalty within teams, even as simple as virtual coffee chats about life beyond work. We share insights from influential thinkers, emphasizing the resilience found in a meaningful career path. Connect with Darrell "Coach D" AndrewsWebsites - Coach D Speaks | Self-CareLinkedIn | Instagram Email Coach D - info@coachdspeaks.comSupport the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

What do you do when your job search isn’t producing the results you wanted? If you are frustrated with how your job search is going, I want to offer you that the answer is found in using the Belief Triad to find your next job. The Belief Triad for finding your next job focuses on how strongly you believe in yourself, your skillset, and your organization. Each component must be equal to the others so you can present yourself as the strongest and most valuable candidate for a position. Listen to this episode to learn the questions you can ask yourself about how strongly you believe in yourself, your skillset, and your current or future organization as you build Your Mid-Career GPS to whatever is next for you and your career. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Today we are talking about kindness in an intentional and strategic way to grow your career. In our careers, being kind is a highly desired and often sought-after character trait, but how can being kinder help you advance your career?Michael Neece is the author of the best-selling book, In Kind - Consciously Craft a Meaningful Life and Career." He joins me to reveal how a compassionate approach can redefine your professional relationships and career path. Together, we unpack the nuanced ways kindness can influence networking and mentorship opportunities and even help us traverse the complexities of a toxic workplace. Michael's compelling narratives underscore the necessity of authenticity and the far-reaching impact of every interaction grounded in goodwill.This conversation goes beyond the theoretical, offering hands-on strategies for leaders and team members to foster a nurturing work environment. We cover the significance of creating a Mid-Career GPS fueled by kindness, ensuring that the trajectory of your professional life aligns with your core values. From the small acts that boost morale to the larger decisions that define your career, we explore the transformative potential of kindness. It's not just about the feel-good factor; it's about crafting a legacy of positivity and success. Tune in for an episode that promises to leave you with actionable insights and a renewed appreciation for the subtleties of human connection at work.Connect with Michael NeeceBook | LinkedIn | Website Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Have you felt as if the game is changing on LinkedIn regarding whether you should connect with someone or follow them? Whether the algorithm is working for you or not, LinkedIn is just like any other social media platform. There is a game to be played and if you aren’t playing it correctly, you will be left behind. One of the most frequently asked questions I get asked by clients and potential clients is whether or not they should be connecting or following people on LinkedIn.  Each has its advantages and some disadvantages. So, it’s time we settle the debate. Should you connect or follow someone on LinkedIn? In this episode, I'll answer that question for you and the one thing you should absolutely do whether you connect or follow someone. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Have you ever felt the pull of passion urging you to leap into the unknown, away from a path others consider the epitome of success? Dr. Veronica Anderson, a renowned ophthalmologist, did just that by exchanging her medical scrubs for the intuitive tools of a psychic and relationship coach. This episode will unravel her extraordinary journey, revealing how the pursuit of authenticity and the courage to follow one's true calling can lead to a life of fulfillment and purpose.As we converse with Dr. Veronica, you'll grasp why finding your unique flow in life and career is paramount, as told through the experiences of visionary leaders like Steve Jobs and Oprah Winfrey. We examine the challenges women face in breaking through societal expectations and the false security of consensus in the corporate sphere. Our discussion takes a deep look into the nuances of career transformation, offering you an arsenal of strategies to cultivate self-awareness and build a robust professional network to support your own path forward.Wrapping up, the conversation shifts to the symbiosis of effort and inspiration in the quest for success. Dr. Veronica, with her wealth of experience as a medical intuitive, shares how attuning to our energy can unveil more aligned actions for exceptional results. The insights you'll gain here are not just about making moves but about making the right moves with confidence and clarity. Every step you take is creating your unique Mid Career GPS—let this episode be your guide to navigating the journey ahead with wisdom and heart.Connect with Dr. Veronica AndersonWebsite | LinkedIn | AmazonSupport the showThank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.