Author: morschles
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When Was the Last Time You Started Something Completely New?
This weekend, I assisted in a Co-Active Coaching Fundamentals course. It brought me back to a time—less than two years ago—when I sat in that very same course, not as an assistant, but as a student. I didn’t know then just how much of a turning point it would become. Back then, I was just…
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Empower Your Career: When to Choose a Mentor or Coach
My journey as a mentor began years ago, working primarily with women and young entrepreneurs. There was something deeply fulfilling about sharing my experiences and knowledge, watching these talented individuals navigate challenges I had faced before. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting numerous professionals as they built their businesses and advanced their…
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Wanderlust as a Career Catalyst: How Traveling Can Redefine Your Professional Journey
In the relentless pursuit of career success, I’ve found myself all too often trapped in a cycle of expectations – corporate ladders to climb, societal pressures to conform, and predefined paths that can slowly suffocate my true potential. But as an avid traveler, I’ve discovered that the key to unlocking my most authentic professional self…
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𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻.
Last week, I gave a talk titled “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝘀”, focusing on the impact we can make on our careers and on the world when we come together. Among other things, we discussed the people who shape our careers—mentors, sponsors, and peers who lift us up. After the talk, one question kept coming up…
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The Way Out Is In
The Emotion Escape Route “I just can’t deal with this anger. I need it to GO AWAY.” Have you ever found yourself desperately trying to escape uncomfortable emotions? That tightness in your chest during a high-stakes meeting. The knot in your stomach before delivering difficult feedback. The racing thoughts that keep you up at 3…
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Together We Rise: Navigating Layoffs
Layoffs are never easy. I’ve been through several—sometimes as the one impacted, and sometimes as the leader delivering the news. Layoffs hit hard. One moment, you’re deep in your work, the next, you’re packing up and wondering, What now? I know this feeling all too well. After years in the startup world, I’ve been on…
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The Mindful Leader: Buddhist Teachings for Modern Businesses
In my previous post, “The Sabbatical Less Traveled: From Google Director to Buddhist Student”, I shared my transformative experience at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Today, I want to share some of my learnings, and explore how Buddhist practices and principles can revolutionize modern leadership. While many discuss Buddhism’s personal benefits, its potential for transforming business…
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The Sabbatical Less Traveled: From Google Director to Buddhist Student
As I shared in my previous post about leaving Google, many people approached me eager to hear more about my sabbatical year. Today, I want to share the transformative experience of learning and practicing Buddhism at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. A Dream Fulfilled While I’d taken Buddhist courses and weekend retreats before, this was my…
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The Mentor Within: A Simple Question That Changes Everything
Recently, during a coaching session with a new client facing a significant career challenge, I introduced them to a tool so simple it almost feels like magic. As we explored their struggles and aspirations, I asked, “What would you tell yourself if you were your own mentor?” The impact was immediate. My client paused, leaned…
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Why I Left My Director Role at Google: A Case for Intentional Career Breaks
The Difficult Decision My path to this sabbatical wasn’t conventional. As a Director at Google with a passion for coaching and helping people grow, I found myself at a critical crossroads. My current workplace didn’t offer a sabbatical option, which meant making the bold decision to resign and design a year of intentional personal and…
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Navigating Career Pivots: The Jungle Gym Approach
As career coaches, we often work with clients who are contemplating a major career move. One client, in particular, was considering a shift into a new field she was deeply passionate about. However, she was unsure if this move would necessarily advance her career in the direction she ultimately wanted to go. Through our discussions,…
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A Coaching Journey Guided by Buddhist Wisdom
As I’ve deepened my meditation practice over the past few years, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to the wisdom of Buddhist teachings. The insights I’ve gained through regular contemplation have profoundly shaped how I approach my life and work. This growing interest in Buddhism led me to recently enroll in advanced courses on the subject.…
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The Power of Purpose
I’ll admit it – I was a skeptic. Sitting in my first coaching certification course, I inwardly cringed when the instructor started talking about “life purpose.” As a seasoned tech executive, I wanted concrete tools and measurable outcomes, not what seemed like abstract philosophical concepts. But my journey as a coach has completely transformed my…
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The Guitar’s Leadership Lessons
Starting My Musical Journey as an Adult It sat in our basement, a gleaming acoustic guitar, both beckoning and mocking. “Aren’t you a bit old for this?” the voice in my head whispered. “Shouldn’t you have started this journey decades ago?”. The same voice had haunted my leadership aspirations early in my career – that…
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Discovering a New Path
My Journey into Coaching In my 30+ years in the tech industry, I’ve worn many hats – software engineer, startup founder, VP of Engineering, and now Director at Google. But perhaps the most transformative role I’ve stepped into wasn’t about climbing the corporate ladder. It was about learning to climb down and meet people where…
Mor Schlesinger 