After two decades leading teams at companies like Slack, Adobe, and Salesforce, I've learned that the most successful professionals aren't just high performers, they're strategic about how they build and sustain their careers. Here you'll find practical insights and proven strategies for navigating the realities of modern work, from getting noticed for the right reasons to building career resilience that lasts.

Whether you're hitting a plateau, navigating a transition, or positioning yourself for what's next, these insights will help you move beyond just working hard to working strategically.

The Secret to Career Longevity: Strategic Relationships That Open Doors
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

The Secret to Career Longevity: Strategic Relationships That Open Doors

In a world where technical skills have a half-life of about five years, there's one asset that appreciates over time: your professional relationships.

After two decades in leadership at companies like Slack, Adobe, and Salesforce, I've learned that career longevity isn't just about what you know—it's about who knows what you're capable of.

While most professionals obsess over technical credentials and performance metrics, they often underinvest in relationship capital—the trust, goodwill, and reciprocity you build with others over time. This capital compounds. The colleague you helped five years ago becomes the decision-maker who remembers your value. The mentor who saw potential in you becomes the connector who recommends you for opportunities that never hit job boards.

Strategic relationship building requires moving beyond transactional networking. It's about cultivating genuine connections with people who challenge your thinking, advocate for you when you're not in the room, and connect you to opportunities you didn't know existed.

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The Achiever's Blind Spot: Why High Performers Miss Burnout Warning Signs
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

The Achiever's Blind Spot: Why High Performers Miss Burnout Warning Signs

Burnout doesn't always look like collapse. For high performers, it often hides behind continued achievement and productivity. You're still meeting deadlines and showing up, but inside, something feels off. This silent progression makes burnout particularly dangerous for driven professionals who excel at pushing through discomfort.

In this article, we explore the early warning signs high achievers typically miss, why success can mask depletion until it's too late, and practical strategies to break the cycle before hitting the wall. The most successful professionals aren't those who burn brightest before burning out—they're the ones who build sustainable practices that protect their energy and impact over the long term.

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Stop Hiding, Start Shining: The Anti-Self-Promotion Guide That Actually Gets You Noticed
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

Stop Hiding, Start Shining: The Anti-Self-Promotion Guide That Actually Gets You Noticed

In a professional world where "building your personal brand" has become the mantra, many of us still cringe at the thought of self-promotion. The line between sharing achievements and humble-bragging feels razor-thin, especially on platforms like LinkedIn where visibility is currency.

But you don't need to choose between invisibility and inauthentic peacocking. The most respected voices on LinkedIn aren't those with the longest list of achievements—they're those who consistently provide genuine value.

This article shares practical strategies to stand out meaningfully: leading with lessons rather than accomplishments, curating valuable industry content, asking thought-provoking questions, and showing selective vulnerability. By focusing on contribution rather than promotion, you create a presence that naturally draws attention without triggering your internal "self-promotion alarm”.

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How to Stop Playing Small & Start Leading (Even Without a Title)
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

How to Stop Playing Small & Start Leading (Even Without a Title)

Are you waiting for a leadership title before making your voice heard?

That hesitation is costing you opportunities.

In today's workplace, true leadership isn't defined by titles but by impact. When you hold back your ideas and expertise, not only does your career plateau, but your team loses out on valuable perspectives that could drive innovation.

"Playing small" often stems from impostor syndrome, the permission trap, or title fixation – all mental barriers that can be overcome with the right strategies. By owning your expertise, becoming a thought contributor, and building your influence network, you can lead effectively from any position.

This article explores five practical approaches to stepping into leadership today, without waiting for formal authority. From shifting your mindset to creating visibility for your work, you'll discover actionable steps to break free from self-imposed limitations and start creating the impact you're capable of making.

Ready to stop waiting for permission to lead? Keep reading to learn how.

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The #1 Interview Mistake Most Professionals Make (And How to Fix It)
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

The #1 Interview Mistake Most Professionals Make (And How to Fix It)

Most candidates focus solely on listing past achievements without connecting them to the company's future needs.

This critical mistake happens when you fail to articulate how your unique strengths will deliver value in the specific role. Learn the three-step framework that transforms interview responses from forgettable to compelling.

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Your Professional Brand is Always Working—For You or Against You
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

Your Professional Brand is Always Working—For You or Against You

Your professional brand is already working—right now. But is it working for you or against you?

Every interaction at work—whether in meetings, emails, or casual conversations—shapes how you're perceived. The strongest professionals don’t leave their reputation to chance—they build it with intention.

In this article, I break down how to proactively shape your professional brand so you can:


✅ Be recognized for your expertise
✅ Attract new opportunities effortlessly
✅ Increase visibility (without feeling self-promotional)

💡 Read the full article now and take control of your career trajectory.

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🎯 Why Smart Professionals Still Struggle to Land Their Dream Jobs 
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

🎯 Why Smart Professionals Still Struggle to Land Their Dream Jobs 

Struggling to land interviews or feeling lost in your job search?

The truth is, job searching without clarity is like driving in an unfamiliar city without a GPS—frustrating, slow, and full of wrong turns.

In this article, discover how to identify your unique career strengths, align them with your goals, and communicate them confidently in interviews.

Plus, grab a free Strengths Alignment Kit to make your next career move with clarity and confidence!

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Beyond the Resume: Uncovering What Actually Makes You Stand Out
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

Beyond the Resume: Uncovering What Actually Makes You Stand Out

🚀 Beyond the Resume: What Actually Makes You Stand Out

If your resume was all that mattered, every qualified person would get hired. But the truth is, your real professional value isn’t in job titles or bullet points—it’s in how you solve problems, bring perspective, and create impact.

What actually sets you apart? It comes down to three overlooked dimensions:

Your Energy Patterns – The tasks that naturally energize you reveal your true strengths and unique value proposition.
Your Problem-Solving Framework – The challenges you consistently solve define your professional superpower.
Your Impact Lens – The lasting improvements you create in teams and organizations show where you bring the most meaningful change.

💡 Want to uncover your true edge? It’s time to look beyond your resume and recognize the patterns in where and how you create the most impact.

📖 Read the full article now to learn how to identify and articulate what makes you stand out in your career.

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Stand Out & Get Hired: Why Investing in Yourself Matters in Times of Career Instability
Laurie J Wetzel Laurie J Wetzel

Stand Out & Get Hired: Why Investing in Yourself Matters in Times of Career Instability

🚨 Your skills haven’t disappeared—only the landscape has changed. Career instability can shake your confidence, but your experience still holds value. The key is staying engaged and investing in yourself.

The Stand Out & Get Hired Interviewing Kit helps you refine your story, boost confidence, and stand out in today’s job market. Learn why investing in yourself now is more important than ever.

📖 Read the full article

Get the kit for just $49 through February 28. Because your next opportunity starts with how you show up.

💼 Get the kit now!

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