8 Thought Leaders to Inspire Your Career

When it comes to your career, is it better to think outside of the box or should you stick to the norms of your field? Work is feeling stagnant, but how do you know when it’s time to move to a new job? How can you be the most effective leader for your team? How do you continue to keep motivated when your day-to-day work starts to feel a little dull? Do any of these questions sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Continuing to grow and learn throughout your career can be tough. But, whether you’re making a big business move, looking to develop as a leader, or re-entering the workforce after a break, there is a wealth of information and thoughtful advice available to help guide you. We’ve gathered a list of our favorite thought leaders to inspire you during some of the most common scenarios in your career growth journey:

• Preparing for the interview: Jason Shen, Looking for a job? Highlight your ability, not your experience In this motivational TED Talk, Jason explains how showcasing what makes you different from other candidates puts you in a talent pool all on your own. By following a non-traditional path, you open yourself up to unique and thoughtful insights, fresh ideas, and new solutions to problems—all of which you can offer to a potential employer. For both candidates and hiring managers, discover how to use opportunities that demonstrate why your out-of-the-box thinking is an asset.

• Rejoining the workforce after a break: Carol Fishman Cohen, How to get back to work after a career break There are numerous reasons to account for a break from a job, from exploring the world, to supporting a loved one, to indulging in a passion project. In this TED Talk, Carol discusses why gaps in employment should be viewed as a positive thing to the hiring team; these “relaunchers” could be the next ideal candidates just waiting to happen! Whether you’re looking to jump back in to the workplace or considering hiring an employee who is coming back from an extended break, learn best practices for re-entering the workforce as well as how to minimize hiring risk when considering bringing in an employee with a career gap.

• Changing careers: Joseph Liu, Career Relaunch® Are you thinking about drastically changing your career path or applying for a role in a new industry? In the Career Relaunch® podcast, Joseph shares unique stories of career reinvention from front-runners across all roles and industries. Joseph’s guests discuss the details that motivated them to change their lives and jobs, all to inspire your own career change journey. If you’ve been debating entering a new field or forging a completely new path for yourself, this is the podcast for you!

• Searching for your dream job: Scott Anthony Barlow, Happen To Your Career On the hunt for your ideal career? Or do you already know where you want to go, but need some advice on how to make it come to life? The Happen To Your Career podcast focuses on finding work that makes you happy to wake up in the morning. Tune in to learn how to build your strengths, hone in on your passions, and uncover how to find your future dream career.

• Upping your leadership game: Simon Sinek, How great leaders inspire action When it comes to making an impact as a leader, Simon Sinek has found the secret: all the great motivational leaders and organizations in the world think, act, and communicate the exact same way. In this moving TED Talk, join Simon as he shares insights from transformational leaders throughout history and uncovers trends in skills and mindsets that make the best leaders successful.

• Searching for empowerment: Rebecca Jarvis, No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis ABC News Emmy-winning journalist/correspondent Rebecca Jarvis interviews female powerhouses who are creating empires and sharing what they’ve learned. From Olympic gold-medalists to actresses and fashion moguls, each woman’s advice is real and honest as they describe their trials, successes, and their best piece of advice for others. If that wasn’t enough, Rebecca’s signature question “What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?” is sure to bring some insight and laughs to your day.

• Developing your skills: Michael Hyatt, Lead to Win Podcast Career coach Michael Hyatt believes that being a long-lasting, successful leader plays out in all aspects of life, including your relationships, your health, and your hobbies. With a weekly dose of his unique perspective and tangible leadership lessons, you can get on the path to leading confidently and creating a fulfilling life, both in and out of the office.

• Continuous inspiration: Lewis Howes, The School of Greatness Podcast With over 800 episodes, NYT bestseller Lewis Howes uses the School of Greatness podcast to interview brilliant people approaching their life and careers in distinctive ways, including athletes like Kobe Bryant, musicians like Lindsay Sterling or LeAnn Rimes, and even note-worthy authors like Rachel Hollis. These experts share their stories, their triumphs, and their failures to get you excited to take action in your life.

Considering a new role or career change? Our expert recruiters can help you land your ideal position! Contact VanderHouwen today.

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