"Have Spies": A CIA Leadership Lesson on Toxic Managers & Company Culture
A senior CIA leader once gave me the best advice: "Have spies." Here is why cultivating ground truth is essential for leaders, and how job seekers can use counterintelligence to spot toxic managers before accepting an offer.
Finding Bright Spots: Celebrating 20 Career Transitions & Salary Wins
Navigating a family loss while running a business has been a challenge, but seeing my clients land elite roles and negotiate better salaries has been an incredible bright spot. Here is a look at what we've accomplished lately.
Trust the Process: Lessons From a Successful Government-to-Private-Sector Transition
What happens when you stop focusing on everything you could do and get specific about what you actually want? One former client’s move from the intelligence community to a defense tech startup offers a few lessons for anyone making a similar transition.
What Am I Even Qualified For?
Leaving government can feel like walking away from more than a job. If you’re asking yourself, “What am I even qualified for?” these four lessons can help you approach your transition with more clarity and intention.
I Don’t Know What I Want to Do
“I don’t know what I want to do” is one of the most common things I hear from people leaving government. I said it too. Here’s what I learned from making my own pivot and helping others make theirs.
From Service to Strategy: Translating Your Skills for the Private Sector
You bring a wealth of transferable skills from your government service, but translating them for a corporate audience can be challenging. In this guide, we break down how to map your background in intelligence, diplomacy, tech, and operations into high-value private sector roles.
Identity Beyond the Badge: My Last Day at the CIA
I cried on my last day at the CIA. Leaving was my choice, but handing in my badge meant leaving behind an identity I had wrapped myself in for years. Here is what I have learned since about untangling our self-worth from our work, avoiding burnout, and remembering that your job is what you do, not who you are.