Tag: personal-growth
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How a Personal Board of Directors Transformed My Growth (and How You Can Build Yours)
Walking into Google felt like walking in the dark When I joined Google as a senior engineering manager: new company, new role, new world, I felt a bit like a blind person groping in the dark. I was the first external manager hired into the Israeli development center. Until then, every manager had grown from…
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“You Know What You Want. But Can You Let Go?”
Letting Go In 2018, I was in California during one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent history.I remember sitting outside one morning, surrounded by smoke and golden light, watching the sun filter through tall grass.That moment would change everything. It was there that the idea for a new wildfire detection product first came to…
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Sometimes Your Plan Needs to Get Out of the Way
Is your plan serving your purpose — or limiting it? Discover the questions that can help you stay open to unexpected opportunities aligned with your true mission.
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Own Your Narrative: The Key to Getting Promoted (and Growing as a Leader)
Many believe hard work alone leads to promotions, but effective storytelling about one’s impact, challenges, and leadership is essential. Individuals often struggle to articulate their narratives, especially in ambiguous environments. Understanding how to own and present their stories can significantly impact career advancement and personal growth.
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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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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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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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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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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…
Mor Schlesinger 