Curran Recruiting’s Post

Recently, two really successful people in the social media world have talked openly about an issue I believe is probably much more pervasive than we think: The idea of NOT climbing and being content with where you’re at.   A couple weeks ago Amber Naslund talked about how there’s value in NOT seeking out that promotion and/or extra responsibilities. She wrote: “If you're happy in your role, still learning, still growing...it's okay to stay put… Ambition isn't just about advancement. It can be about mastery, like really digging deep in the role you have.”   Mark Schaefer also recently talked about why he stopped growing his business—an interesting thing for a business owner to say! He says: "People come to me with new business opportunities all the time, I usually say no. While I am grateful, new levels of activity will probably also lead away from contentment. I leave a lot of money on the table. I’m not bothered. I’m OK."   Of course, the pandemic probably has something to do with this. So do life circumstances (getting older, losing a parent, etc.). But I’m not sure it matters why this is happening more often. What matters is that you are simply hearing it talked about more—and, as is the case with Amber and Mark, very publicly form very successful people.   That simply wasn’t happening 10-15 years ago. All you heard then was climb, climb, climb. What’s the old saying “if you’re not growing, you’re dying?”   This all coincides with an era where we’re presented with all sorts of content in our feeds telling us how to make more money, how to be a millionaire by age 30 and how to make tons of money with little effort. All shams, of course. But it fills our feeds—and eats away at our minds.   Yet, what you don’t hear discussed nearly enough is exactly what Amber and Mark are talking about. I would take it one step further—sometimes the best move isn’t to keep climbing, but to take a small step back.   That’s what I did when my kids were born. I accepted a job for less money than the previous job. It included fewer responsibilities. Was a lesser job title. But, I also knew I could do the job with little stress at a time in my life when it was pretty stressful at home (two babies!).   The bigger message that isn’t talked about enough here on LinkedIn is this: It’s OK to be content in your job for a few years. Maybe more. It’s OK to be an individual contributor and not a VP. It’s even OK to take a step back in your career, if it feels like the right thing to do.   I’d love to hear more discussions about realistic career pathing as it meshes with our complicated lives. I applaud Amber and Mark for taking the first steps. I’d like to see more of this in the months and years ahead—we’ll all be better for it. Kevin Hunt and I discussed this topic and a whole lot more in the January 2024 edition of the Hanson & Hunt podcast: https://lnkd.in/gh3udVjb

Many people ask me how I found myself in the staffing industry, and it takes me back to my college years. At the time, I worked temp jobs and juggled multiple gigs to put myself through college. What drew me in? It's simple: the people. From day one, I've witnessed how staffing gives back to individuals and communities. It's not just about profits; it's about empowering people to succeed in their career journey - whether they are just starting their career or are a seasoned professional. These days, I help aspiring entrepreneurs with vision and ambition reach their goal of owning a staffing franchise with Spherion. For all of my connections in the staffing industry, how did you get started?

In the heart of sunny Florida, resilience found its embodiment in Michael, a seasoned warrior of 66, soon to turn 67. Life had not spared him its trials; as a single amputee and retired veteran, he had faced both physical and emotional battles. The loss of his wife had left him not only grieving but also burdened with financial strains. Loneliness crept in, magnifying the weight of his troubles. Michael raised his hand and asked for help. Together, we embarked on a transformative journey, determined to defy the odds stacked against Michael. Navigating through the complexities of the job market, we crafted Michael's resume, highlighting his skills and experiences acquired over years of service. Months of trial and error had us deflated, to say the least, but Michael never gave up! Home Depot stood out, a company renowned for its inclusivity. I helped Michael navigate the application process, his anticipation built with each step. The pivotal moment arrived, a call for an onsite interview. Nerves mingled with excitement as Michael faced the hiring team, leaving a lasting impression with his charisma and positivity. With the offer in hand, Michael patiently waited for the background checks to clear before beginning his new journey. Finally, on a bright Friday morning, March 22nd, Michael stepped into the Home Depot store, adorned in his brand new orange vest, a symbol of his hard-earned success and determination. For Michael, it wasn't just a job; it was a lifeline, a chance to regain financial stability and independence. In the end, it wasn't about flashy titles or six-figure salaries. It was about resilience, determination, and the sheer will to overcome obstacles. #MilitaryTranstion #Career #Inspiration #Overcome #Success

It was 2005. As I struggled to find the right people to put in the right seats that I could trust for my business, I turned to my dad, a dedicated music teacher, and asked him to retire early to join me. While the trust between us was strong, it became clear that the role was outside his unique abilities. Despite his efforts, he likely felt pressured not to disappoint me by stepping back, which strained our relationship as it blurred lines between work and family. Reflecting on this experience, I've learned valuable lessons about the complexities of mixing family and business. The desire for trust often motivates us to hire friends and family, but that's not a sufficient reason. These challenges extend to hiring friends as well. Here are ten reasons why it's often challenging to bring friends or family into your business: 1. Skills Mismatch: They may lack specific skills needed for the role 2. Difficulty in Quitting: It can be challenging for them to step back once committed 3. Strained Relationships: Work issues can affect personal relationships 4. Lack of Professional Boundaries: It's hard to separate work and personal life 5. Limited Accountability: Holding them accountable may be more challenging 6. Risk of Favoritism: There's a risk of bias towards friends or family 7. Conflict of Interest: Personal interests may conflict with business needs 8. Career Path Limitations: They may miss opportunities for growth elsewhere 9. Emotional Stress: It can create emotional stress for both parties 10. Difficulty in Termination: Firing family or friends for poor performance can be exceptionally challenging and emotionally taxing. What's an experience you've had or heard about that points to why hiring your friends and family may not be ideal? Let's continue the discussion!

Get the fire going in January by defining and actioning your professional career goals. And if you're too cold (we're looking at you #boston), whip up some hot cocoa and dream of sweet success ahead! #career #careergoals #careercoach #careerchange #careergrowth #executivecoaching #executivecoachingforwomen

What I WISH I Knew 11 Years Ago Why I left my family business ✈ Over 11 years, I worked hard to build up my skills in real estate development. I celebrated successes. And I stumbled and learned from mistakes too. But there was one moment that really hit me. My boss asked me to give him some floorplans because he wanted to work on them. At home. On the weekend. His exact words were “I love this stuff.” But that wasn’t true for me. I realized I didn’t love it the way he did. I didn’t love anything in real estate development like that. But it would have been easier to ignore this. My job paid the bills and I had put in all this time. But the nagging feeling wouldn’t go away. And that’s when I realized, What I loved doing was helping the people I had hired reach their potential. But that was never going to be a main part of what I did. It took courage to take the next step. To choose to leave my family business. To start something new. Following my passion was hard because it was stepping into the unknown. But this was how I started doing something I love. This is why I chose to leave my family business. Because I love working with people. I love working with family enterprises and seeing them thrive. And I’m good at it. To stay would have been easier. But once I realized what I loved doing, I would have been a fool to ignore it. ____ I wish I had known this 11 years ago. That to step away and pursue what I wanted was good. And even more than that, I could feel good about it. ____ What do you love doing? What do you find satisfying? Because whatever route you choose, it’s going to be hard. You might as well choose something worth suffering for.  ____ I'm Tim Yeung Click my name + follow. ____ WORK WITH ME I help families plan for the next generation and create a brighter future. DM me for more info. #familybusiness #leadership

Yesterday, someone called me "lucky" for where I am in my career at 33. It got me thinking. Sure, luck plays a role—we can stumble upon opportunities or meet the right people at the right time. But let me tell you, luck is just a fraction of the story. Building a career in commercial real estate hasn't been about luck. It's been about countless late nights, early mornings, and relentless determination. It's about pushing through setbacks that felt insurmountable and every hard-earned gain. Behind every deal closed or project completed, there are months of groundwork, years of learning from failures, and a network of mentors and supporters who believed in me when I doubted myself. So, if luck means putting yourself out there, learning from every experience—good or bad—and refusing to give up, then yes, luck has played its part. But luck alone doesn't sustain a successful career. It's the resilience, the grit, and the unwavering commitment to growth that truly define the journey. — #Sales #Marketing #Branding #Investing #Economy #Economics #RealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #Motivation

Are you willing to look stupid? If it means exploring your potential. Are you willing to look stupid to your peers? Are you willing to risk failure? Or judgment? Because that is how every successful venture begins. When I joined the service, and enlisted in a Special Operations job during the height of the war... Everyone told me not to do it, even the recruiter, the guy thats supposed to be convincing me to do it. He said, "90% of people don't make it." Family and friends said, "you'll either get killed, hurt, or divorced..." When I bought my first rental friends told me, its too risky and to not come crawling back when I go bankrupt... But somewhere along the way I realized the risk of looking stupid The risk of judgment, of failure... These are the signs that you are on the path to growth. To becoming more than you imagined. To doing the impossible (or at least what your circle thinks is impossible). All that to say: watch for the signs. Watch for the people that tell you its a bad idea. Listen to them, acknowledge that they have never been where you are going. And press on. Because... you are almost there. #veterans #motivation #milliinairemindset #financialfreedom

Charlie's (aka Warren Buffet right hand person) basic career rules: (In parenthesis are my own supply chain overlays) 1. Don't sell anything you wouldn't buy yourself (We need to believe in the project and its benefits, so we can inspire others) 2. Work for someone you respect/admire (Huge opportunity to grow and learn from experience & passionate people) 3. Work with people you enjoy (Figure out the function you love, and hunt it down with like-minded folks) #careergrowth #career #investing #personaldevelopment #believeinyourself #experience #careeradvice #wisewords #wisdom Credit: CNBC