Overcoming Professional Setbacks

I've recently suffered a major career setback. Since I teach about high performance and career growth, I want to share how I am addressing it. One day you will need this recipe yourself! My goal in my current "career" is to reach as many people as I can, and to help them achieve career success and satisfaction. For the last three years, the way to do this has been through LinkedIn. Unfortunately, LinkedIn recently made some unknown changes to their algorithm. Other Top Voices and I have noticed a drop of 70% to 80% in the reach of our posts. Since my goal is to share my knowledge with more people, that means my goal just took an 80% hit. In general, setbacks in performance are either due to: A) Something we did Or B) Something external, outside our direct control Mistakes, poor decisions, and missed deadlines are examples of A. They are in our control. Things like Covid, high interest rates, and reorganizations at work are examples of B, outside our control. LinkedIn's change is also case B, outside my control. When a setback comes from something in your control, you know clearly what you did wrong and what you need to change to restore your performance and progress. Fixing your own issues may take time and be difficult, but you know what to do. When the setback is due to something outside your control, you do not know how to fix the issue. So, how can we react when our performance is shattered and we do not know why? Here is my recipe: 1. Allow yourself a fixed amount of time to grieve (and complain if you wish). Emotions are real, and before you can move on you will need to sit with those emotions. But, do not get stuck in them. Curse your bad luck, pout for a minute, etc. Then, move to the next step. 2. Refocus on your core value. Whatever happened, go back to how you define high performance to ensure it is still relevant. I admit, I slipped into defining my own performance by how many people viewed my LinkedIn posts. This was a mistake. My mission is to help others, so getting views is a proxy, not a result. And, using LinkedIn is just a method for the mission, not the mission itself. 3. Adapt your core value if you must (if its value has decreased). In my case, the value of what I offer hasn't changed, the external delivery system has. 4. Once you adapt and/or increase your value, find new ways to deliver it if necessary. Luckily, I have other options for reaching people: my Substack newsletter, YouTube, etc. Since Substack has been such a good partner recently, I will start there. I have also refocused how I write on LinkedIn to make every post focused on my goal. 5. Test, measure, adapt, repeat! Really, this step is everything. Once you get past the grief, jump into action in this loop. Nothing can stop you if you keep working to refine, deliver, and showcase your core value. Comments? Here's my newsletter, which is my next area of investment: https://lnkd.in/gXh2pdK2

My Indian immigrant parents left everyone & everything behind to come to the US. I watched them stay in survival mode for most of their lives. They didn’t have a support system here. I watched them endure disrespect in their workplaces & our community. And so there were too many times in my career I tolerated, endured & accepted the disrespect. But we know better. Now we will: 👉🏿 Ask to be included in the meeting where our work is being discussed 👉🏿 Claim credit for our work & speak up when it’s being stolen 👉🏿 Correct people publicly & ask them to pronounce our names correctly 👉🏿 Speak up when we hear “jokes” targeted towards others and say “it’s not funny at all” 👉🏿 Let them know my worth and no, I am not asking for too much Remember, they will never respect you if you keep giving them chances to disrespect you. How are you standing up for yourself & others in our workplaces? #leadership #inclusion #culture #MitaMallick

Most people think imposter syndrome is a career killer. But it’s not. It’s a signal. 📍 You’re growing. 📍 You’re stretching. 📍 You’re doing something that matters. 🧠 62% of high achievers experience imposter syndrome at some point in their career. (Salari, et. al, 2025). Yet most don’t talk about it. They just try to hide it, and hope no one notices. And the endless mental loop gets louder: → “Don’t let them find out.” → “I should be more confident by now.” → “Maybe this means I’m not ready.” But I’ve learned that feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you’re not qualified. It means you’re in the arena. I remember when I became a company officer and joined a board at 27. On paper I felt I had made it. And inside, I was bracing, like someone might tap me on the shoulder and say, “Hey… we made a mistake.” I later learned that feeling didn’t mean I didn’t belong. It meant I was stepping into a new version of myself. And it’s a feeling I’ve seen show up again and again in brilliant, hardworking leaders who are quietly carrying so much. When you stop fighting imposter syndrome, you stop performing from fear, and start leading from power. Here’s how I co-exist with it and teach high-performers who feel it too: 1. Separate feelings from facts → “I’ve done hard things before. I’ll figure this out too.” 2. Use doubt to fuel mastery → You don’t need to feel ready. You just need to keep showing up. 3. Talk back to the critic → “What if this is the version of me that rises?” 4. Track your wins like data → Keep a ‘Wins Portfolio.’ Pull it out when your inner critic gets loud. 5. Redefine success on your terms → Not their finish line. Yours. You don’t need to silence imposter syndrome. You just need to understand what it’s trying to tell you. Because once you stop fearing it… you unlock the part of you that’s been ready all along. Imposter syndrome isn’t your enemy. It’s your upgrade code. ❓What’s one imposter moment that ended up being a breakthrough for you? Tag someone who needs to hear this today. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for raw, real career rewrites that feel like coaching. 📊 Sources: Salari, et.al. (’25) 📸 Quote: Steven Bartlett #Careers #LeadershipDevelopment

I never encourage people to stay where they are being harmed. So if you can leave, make that move! However, if you can't immediately do so, or you’re in the hallway waiting for the next door to open, here’s what you can do: 1. Elevate your emotional intelligence even if that of your manager is low. You don't have to lower yours. You can still lead without the title. High emotional intelligence isn’t reserved for people managers. Your actions and attitude can inspire others, regardless of your position. Use your voice. Speak up to be added to projects and do your research on professional development courses or conferences you'd like to participate in.🗣️ 2. Advocating for yourself is crucial in any career. Don't be afraid to express your interest. Researching and being well-prepared shows your commitment and dedication to your growth, which can be appreciated by your superiors…or recruiters. 3. Avoid the gossip. Create your boundaries and maintain them. Office gossip can be tempting, but it rarely leads to anything positive. Dodging the dissing will maintain your integrity and build a reputation as someone who is trustworthy and professional. And when you leave, you can leave with your hands and mind clean. 4. Journal to release and document to defend. Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool for managing stress and documenting your experiences at work. Use it to release your emotions. It can also serve as a record of your accomplishments and interactions, which can be handy when it comes time for performance reviews or addressing workplace issues. 5. Find a therapist if you can—process work issues outside of work. Work-related stress and challenges can take a toll on your mental well-being. Seeking therapy is a proactive step to ensure you have a safe and confidential space to discuss your concerns, manage stress, and develop coping strategies. I tell all my clients to prioritize their well-being over everything. And that they have more power and agency than they know. Be strategic with how you practice self-care around work. Toxic workplaces can really do a number on you. Know your limits. Drop a 💡 if you found these helpful.

Remaining calm in a given situation does not mean you are complacent. It is quite the opposite. Remaining calm allows you to see clearly and stand in your power. The next time you are in a state of stress or panic, try this: 👇 🫁 Take Deep Breaths: Focus on your breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds and exhale through your mouth. This helps to calm your nervous system. 🌳 Ground Yourself: Pay attention to your surroundings. Notice the details around you—the colors, textures, and sounds. This can help bring you back to the present moment. 🌞 Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself that you are capable and strong. Repeat affirmations like, "I can handle this" or "I am in control." 🏆 Visualize Success: Imagine a positive outcome to the situation. Visualization can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety. 🔎 Focus on Solutions: Shift your mindset from the problem to finding a solution. This proactive approach can reduce feelings of helplessness. Practicing these steps can help you maintain composure, make better decisions, and handle challenges with grace and confidence.

Despite a rocky start as a software engineer at Google, I was able to compensate for 2.5 years of career stagnation with 2 promotions within one year, followed by becoming a Tech Lead. How did I do it? I took charge of my career and doubled down on my self-management skills. In the workplace, self-management is one’s ability to solve problems independently, show self-awareness, and operate autonomously. For optimal career growth, you still need to self-manage even if you have a manager. Managers don’t have the time or energy to handhold everyone. It’s not a scalable management strategy. When you self-manage, you're not only lightening your manager's workload but you’re also positioning yourself to receive more strategic and high-level guidance. That way, instead of discussing tactical things you can figure out on your own, you and your manager can spend your precious 1-1 time talking about where your career is heading, and how to get grow and get to the next level. The skills needed to self-manage: 1/ You can manage your timelines and deliverables 2/ You can make decisions independently 3/ You find the drive within yourself to start and keep going 4/ You can deal with your emotions in stressful situations 5/ You handle most conflicts on your own without needing to escalate 6/ You don't need your manager to give constructive feedback to others 7/ You build and manage your stakeholders 8/ You own your career development To read my story and learn more about how to build each of these skills, read my in-depth explainer: https://lnkd.in/dppGXpja

Do you feel unmotivated to take action of any kind? Do you no longer find joy in hobbies or spending time with loved ones? These could be symptoms of burnout, indicating you may be overworking and feeling mentally and physically drained. According to research by Deloitte: 77% of professionals experience burnout in their current jobs. As alarming as this statistic is, the real issue lies in the fact that many of us don't even recognize the signs until it's far too late. Throughout my career, I can recall several instances where in hindsight I experienced burnout. While from the outside I was succeeding in my career, on the inside I was struggling with my mindset, feelings and relationships. I was fortunate to have a strong support network (both professional and personal) that supported me through these struggles. This personal experience made me realize the importance of normalizing speaking about this topic and educating myself and others on prevention and management strategies. To get some practical insights and tips on this topic, I reached out to my friend Dora Vanourek. Dora is a Burnout Coach for Tech Professionals, a LinkedIn Top Voice on Resiliency, and a Senior Consulting Services leader at IBM. Here are 5 invaluable tips she shared on preventing and managing burnout: 1. Recognize Early Signs of Burnout: Burnout does not happen overnight - instead, it slowly creeps in. Watch out for early signs such as exhaustion, emotional overwhelm, disrupted sleep, changes in eating habits, disconnect from social life, reduced motivation and self-care, physical ailments, and reduced performance. 2. Understand and Address Root Causes: Long hours might seem to cause burnout, but they're often just a symptom of deeper issues. Common root causes include feeling undervalued, working in a toxic team environment, lack of autonomy in how you work, perceived unfairness, and a mismatch between job requirements and your values. Addressing these core issues is essential. 3. Engage in Activities: Find an activity that energizes you and helps you disconnect from your work. Aim for at least 15 minutes on most days. Anything you enjoy will be beneficial: walk, exercise, creative hobbies, dancing to favorite songs, gardening, meditation, etc. 4. Incorporate Meaningful Tasks in Your Work: All jobs have less enjoyable tasks. Research shows that you are less likely to burn out if at least 20% of your work is meaningful. An example is mentoring or coaching someone, developing new ideas or developing a training course for others. Everyone finds meaning in different tasks - reflect and find yours. 5. Ask for help: You are never alone. Reach out to a friend or professional. Your company might have employee assistance programs, or point you to available help in your country. Looking for additional insights on the topic? Follow Dora here on LinkedIn. She posts daily on the topics of  burnout, careers, mindset, coaching, and leadership.

I’ve advised over 200 high achievers in the last 3 years. From F500 companies to billion dollar startups. 5 challenges that kept them stuck + how to overcome: (1) Demonstrating impact It's a harsh truth, but no amount of work will get you promoted. To level up you need to show impact on the bottom line. Recommendation: Focus on outcomes vs. outputs, and track your success. (2) Owning your time If someone else owns your calendar you can't be effective or make a big impact. But most people just accept what ever is put on their calendar. Recommendation: Be proactive, not reactive. Create you ideal schedule (I call it CEO schedule) and own your time. (3) Leveraging advocacy Your career will grow faster if you have key stakeholders ready to speak on your behalf. But most people don't have a strategic plan to build and nurture advocacy. When the time comes they need to beg for support. Recommendation: Identify your advocates and manage the relationship long term, to get undeniable recognition. (4) Having hard conversations The things you want most are on the other side of a hard conversation. Asking for a raise, getting a unique opportunity, sharing feedback, letting an employee go. Avoiding these conversations keeps you stuck. Recommendation: Don't avoid hard conversations. Plan and practice for them to reduce the anxiety and fear. (5) No vision or strategy You assume working hard enough for long enough will get you ahead. That's usually not the answer. Doing more of the same won't get you far in the corporate world. Recommendation: Gain clarity about your vision and what it would take to get there, so you can be intentional about how you spend your time at work. Ignore these challenges and you'll stay stuck for years. Master them and you'll join the 1%. *** Enjoyed this post? ♻️ Share to help someone get unstuck and grow their career

"Don't burn yourself out: know your limits" It's crucial to recognize that we all have our limits. Overstepping these boundaries often leads to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Recognizing the Signs: Burnout doesn't happen overnight. It creeps in slowly, marked by signs like constant fatigue, a cynical attitude towards work, and a drop in productivity. It's vital to recognize these early signs and act on them. Setting Realistic Goals Ambition is a double-edged sword. While it propels us forward, unrealistic ambitions can set us up for failure and frustration. Achievable Objectives: Set goals that challenge you but are still within your reach. This balance is key to maintaining motivation without overstraining yourself. The Power of Saying No In our eagerness to grow and succeed, we often take on more than we can handle. Learning to say no is not just about declining offers or opportunities; it's about prioritizing your mental and physical health. Prioritization and Focus: Every time you say yes to something, you're saying no to something else. Make sure what you're saying yes to aligns with your personal and professional growth goals. Creating a Sustainable Routine Long hours and sleepless nights are often glorified as the hallmarks of a dedicated professional. However, a sustainable routine that includes adequate rest, exercise, and leisure is more productive in the long run. Balance is Key: Incorporate activities that rejuvenate you. This could be exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. A well-rounded routine ensures you're not just productive, but also happy and healthy. Embracing Imperfection Perfectionism is often a contributor to burnout. The pursuit of perfection can lead to excessive stress and a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction. Progress Over Perfection: Aim for progress rather than perfection. Understand that mistakes are a part of growth and learning. Accepting imperfection helps in reducing unnecessary stress. Building a Support System A strong support system of colleagues, friends, and family can be your biggest asset. They provide a different perspective, emotional support, and can often spot signs of burnout before you do. Seek and Offer Support: Don't hesitate to reach out for help or offer support to others. Sometimes, just talking about your challenges can lighten your load. Conclusion Knowing your limits isn't a sign of weakness; it's a crucial aspect of sustainable growth and productivity. Illustrated by Jade Bern #productivity #motivation #work #growth

Balancing Work and Managing Stress for Optimal Well-being 🌟 How do you navigate the fine line between work demands and maintaining your physical and mental health? Consider these strategies to effectively harmonize your professional life and stress management: 1. Prioritize and Establish Clear Objectives: Commence by identifying your pivotal tasks and setting crystal-clear objectives. Recognize what necessitates immediate attention and what can be deferred. 2. Masterful Time Management: Employ time management methodologies such as the Pomodoro Technique (working in focused intervals with brief breaks) or the Eisenhower Matrix (categorizing tasks into urgent/important, important/not urgent, etc.) to structure your workday. 3. Delegation and Seeking Assistance: Be open to delegating tasks to colleagues or seeking assistance when required. You don't have to shoulder everything on your own. 4. Learn the Art of Saying No: Steer clear of overcommitting. Politely decline additional responsibilities if your plate is already brimming. 5. Divide Tasks into Smaller Milestones: Dissect intricate tasks into smaller, manageable milestones. This approach can transform daunting undertakings into attainable objectives. 6. Organize Your Workspace: A tidy and orderly workspace can alleviate stress and bolster concentration. 7. Establish Firm Boundaries: Define your work hours with precision and adhere to them as closely as feasible. Refrain from checking emails or working during your designated downtime. 8. Self-Care Takes Priority: Place self-care activities like exercise, meditation, and nurturing hobbies at the forefront. They play a pivotal role in relaxation and rejuvenation. 9. Seek Support from Your Network: Engage in conversations with friends, family, or colleagues about your stress. Sometimes, simply sharing your feelings can serve as a valuable stress-relief tool. 10. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Foster a lifestyle grounded in mindfulness and relaxation practices. 11. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: Emphasize the importance of balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and moderation in caffeine or alcohol consumption, as these can exacerbate stress. Let's remember the significance of managing stress and maintaining our well-being. 🌼