The Career Leap

21 simple ways to be more assertive at work: 1. Make eye contact. ↳ Engaging in eye contact establishes trust and shows confidence in your communication. 2. Speak clearly and with conviction. ↳ Ensure your words reflect confidence by speaking loudly enough and clearly. 3. Know your value. ↳ Understand your contributions and remind yourself why you’re valuable to the team. 4. Prepare ahead of time. ↳ Confidence comes from preparation. Have your facts and ideas ready. 5. Don’t apologize unnecessarily. ↳ Avoid over-apologizing, especially when you haven’t done anything wrong. 6. Ask questions. ↳ Confident people aren’t afraid to ask for clarity. It shows you’re engaged and proactive. 7. Offer solutions, not just problems. ↳ Assert yourself by proposing solutions when challenges arise—this shows leadership skills. 8. Use confident body language. ↳ Stand tall, don’t slouch, and make purposeful gestures. How you carry yourself influences how others perceive you. 9. Practice self-affirmation. ↳ Start your day with a positive self-affirmation to boost your confidence before heading into work. 10. Set boundaries. ↳ Be assertive by setting clear limits and expectations with your time and tasks. 11. Handle criticism gracefully. ↳ Accept feedback without taking it personally. Use it as an opportunity for growth. 12. Own your mistakes. ↳ Take responsibility when something goes wrong. Acknowledging mistakes shows confidence and maturity. 13. Ask for what you want. ↳ Whether it’s a raise, new responsibilities, or flexibility, assertiveness means directly stating your needs. 14. Know when to say ‘no’. ↳ Don’t take on more than you can handle. Be firm but polite when declining additional work. 15. Celebrate your wins. ↳ Acknowledge your achievements regularly, no matter how small. This builds confidence in your abilities. 16. Limit filler words. ↳ Words like “um” or “maybe” undermine your message. Speak confidently and eliminate unnecessary fillers. 17. Use “I” statements. ↳ Assert your opinions and thoughts by saying “I believe” or “I feel,” which personalizes your communication. 18. Stay calm under pressure. ↳ Confidence is about remaining composed in stressful situations. Slow down, take deep breaths, and respond calmly. 19. Be decisive. ↳ Confident people make decisions without second-guessing themselves. Trust your judgment and stick to your choices. 20. Dress for success. ↳ Wear clothing that makes you feel confident. Dressing well can boost self-esteem and professional image. 21. Visualize success. ↳ Take a few minutes each day to visualize yourself succeeding. This mental exercise prepares you for real-world assertiveness. — Found this helpful? Repost it. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career insights. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my free newsletter, The Modern Executive: Dare to Be Yourself and Win in Corporate — https://lnkd.in/etm5nqF6

Make 2025 a year of bold requests: 1. I’d like to make $__________. How can I reach that salary? Pro-Tip: Get clarity on the actions needed and create a plan. 2. I’d like a promotion. What specific criteria do I need to meet? Pro-Tip: Understand exactly what it takes, then exceed those expectations. 3. I’d like to learn __________. How can I get support for this class/course? Pro-Tip: The best investment is in yourself—get the company to back you. 4. I’d like to relocate. How can I initiate the relocation process? Pro-Tip: Open the door to new opportunities by starting the conversation. 5. I’d like to work in __________ department. What skills and experience do I need to transition? Pro-Tip: Lateral moves can be as powerful as upward ones. 6. I’d like more leadership opportunities. How can I lead more projects or teams? Pro-Tip: Show you’re ready to step up before you’re asked. 7. I’d like feedback on my performance. Can we schedule a review to discuss my growth? Pro-Tip: Feedback is the compass for career direction. 8. I’d like to optimize my workload. Please help me prioritize high-impact tasks and review timelines for the rest. Pro-Tip: Focus on top priorities, and delegate or streamline the rest. 9. I’d like to improve my work-life balance. I would like to discuss a few ideas that will set boundaries between work and personal time. Pro-Tip: Propose clear boundaries to protect your time and energy. 10. I’d like to know my future here. What’s the long-term growth plan for someone in my position? Pro-Tip: Don’t guess—ask for a roadmap for your future. — Found this helpful? Repost it. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career insights. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my free newsletter, The Modern Executive: Dare to Be Yourself and Win in Corporate — https://lnkd.in/eeEmWjCg

This is the energy we are bringing to 2025: Big dreams. Bold moves. “Make it happen” attitude. Are we ready — It is a question, and not a question. And as a question, it needs an answer, or no answer. And as an answer, it can be both— yes and no. For how could you be ready for what you don’t know? And how could you not be ready when the future’s coming, now and steady? Are we ready — It is a calling, a calling forward— of winds that haven’t touched your face yet, of mountaintops you haven’t conquered, of truths that haven’t yet been spoken. Are we ready — The future’s calling: Come and get me! And in response, the heart is roaring, the heart is roaring like a million waterfalls storming through your mighty veins. You might be soaked in fear… Your hands might feel numb… You might not find words... But at the point when the future and the heart come together, the universe will tremble— in ecstasy of the divine conception— and share gifts with you otherwise unattainable. And this is how it works. — Share this video to inspire others. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career and life insights.

Your best year starts here. Here’s the formula for an extraordinary 2025: ✨ Dream big. ✨ Take action. ✨ Fail → Rise. ✨ Be kind. ✨ Surround yourself with great people. ✨ Repeat. Let’s have the best year yet! — Save this for when you need it most. And repost to inspire others. — Take charge of your career in 2025. Start here: https://lnkd.in/e6j8SRQe

6 steps to crush your wildest goals. The Impossible Game Method: (At the end, I will share a radical result I produced with my Impossible Game.) 1️⃣ Set an Impossible Game. ↳ Choose an ambitious goal that excites and challenges you. ↳ Define it clearly Pro-tip: Use quantifiable measures and set a firm timeline for accountability. —- 2️⃣ Build your board of supporters. ↳ Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your vision. ↳ They’ll cheer you on and push you through self-doubt. Pro-tip: Foster your board of supporters early on! —- 3️⃣ Declare your game. ↳ Share your goal boldly. ↳ Make it real by involving others and requesting specific support. Pro-tip: If it feels scary to share, you’re on the right track —- 4️⃣ Go all-in. ↳ Play full out. ↳ Do everything in your power to make it happen and report progress to your supporters. Pro-tip: Look for serendipities and unexpected opportunities—they’ll show up when you’re committed. —- 5️⃣ Reflect on the game. ↳ Win or lose, reflect on how well you played. ↳ Measure your success by effort, not the outcome. Pro-tip: Failure isn’t a failure if you’ve grown—use every result as a stepping stone. —- 6️⃣ Start the next game. ↳ Channel your momentum into a bigger, bolder challenge. ↳ Celebrate what you’ve achieved and keep moving forward. Pro-tip: Success is a habit—each game builds your confidence and resilience for the next leap. Here is my story: December 21, 2007: I declared my Impossible Game - 10 dates in 10 days to meet my life partner. December 30, 2007: On date #8 I met the one. Declared the victory. December 30, 2024: 17 years together and going strong. Adopted 3 kids in 2 years - but that’s the whole different Impossible Game. 💡 What’s your impossible game for 2025? Share it below. — I’d love to support you! — Found this helpful? Repost it. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career and life insights.

Most people wait too long to pivot. They think they're missing: • Courage. • A safety net. • A bulletproof plan • A divine intervention. Here’s the truth: You don’t need any of that. You need a decision-making approach that stands the test of time: 1. A process to explore widely - most settle for what's visible. 2. A clear criteria - otherwise you’ll make circumstantial decisions 3. A strategy to craft your story - perception shapes reality 4. A method to break your limiting beliefs - you’re capable more than you think 5. Your board of supporters - it’s much harder to succeed solo. By the way, your first pivot doesn’t need to be radical—it just needs to point you in the right direction. Want a shortcut? Find a guide who has helped others make pivots successfully. Be the kind of person who makes bold moves that inspire others to follow. — Repost to remind someone it’s never too late to switch trains. And follow Misha Rubin for more. — Take charge of your career in 2025. Start here: https://lnkd.in/e46giF7h

If your team’s unhappy, no bonus will fix it. 5 ways to build a talent-retaining culture: 1️⃣ A Clear and Inspiring Vision People need a reason to show up beyond just a paycheck. ↳ Connect individual roles to the bigger picture—help them see how their work matters. ↳ Regularly communicate your vision with clarity and energy; repetition builds alignment. 2️⃣ Recognition Beyond Results It’s not just about what they achieve but how they contribute. ↳ Celebrate wins, both big and small, and call out contributions others might miss. ↳ Personalize your recognition: A public shoutout isn’t always as meaningful as a thoughtful note. 3️⃣ Growth and Development Opportunities When people grow, so does their loyalty. ↳ Create a roadmap for skills and career development—show them their future with you. ↳ Offer stretch assignments or cross-functional projects to keep learning alive. 4️⃣ Genuine Connection and Belonging No one stays where they feel isolated. ↳ Foster connection through team-building rituals, shared goals, or informal coffee chats. ↳ Lead by example—authenticity from the top creates safety at every level. 5️⃣ Trust and Autonomy Micromanagement drives your best people away. ↳ Give team members ownership of their work and space to succeed (or learn from failure). ↳ Keep promises, stay transparent, and prioritize trust over control. Your people are your culture. How you treat them every day shapes whether they stay—or leave. What would you add to the list? — Found this helpful? Repost it. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career insights. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my free newsletter, The Modern Executive: Dare to Be Yourself and Win in Corporate — https://lnkd.in/eQgwj9wu

Most people miss these signals until it's too late. 7 signals it's time to make your move: — Found this helpful? Repost it. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career insights. Take charge of your career in 2025. Start here: https://lnkd.in/e7szSmpq

Great questions will transform your future. Start with these 11 to shape your 2025: 1. What did I accomplish this year that I’m proud of? 2. What didn’t go as planned—and what did I learn from it? 3. What truly energized me this year? 4. What drained my energy—and how can I reduce it next year? 5. Who inspired or supported me this year? 6. What relationships need more attention? 7. Am I living in alignment with my values? 8. What bold move do I want to make in 2025? 9. What habits or routines are holding me back? 10. What habits and routines do I want to commit to next year? 11. What’s one thing I can do today to finish the year strong? Momentum doesn’t wait for January 1—start now. 💡Pro-tip: Save these questions and revisit them during a quiet moment this season. Reflection fuels transformation. Is there a question I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below. — Found this helpful? Repost it. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career and life insights. Take charge of your career in 2025. Start here: https://lnkd.in/eKzM8Wgz

A simple life is a happy life. 15 habits to simplify your life (and be happier): 1. Declutter your space. • Use the 90/90 rule: If you haven't used it in 90 days and won't use it in the next 90, let it go. 2. Unsubscribe ruthlessly. • Batch unsubscribe from useless emails using Unroll.me, then disable all non-essential notifications on your phone. 3. Say NO more often. • If it's not a 'hell yes,' it's a no. Your future self will thank you for the extra time and energy. 4. Create a morning routine. • Win your morning with the 3M routine: Meditate, Move, and Make (your bed). The first hour sets the tone. 5. Use the ‘one-in, one-out’ rule. • For every new item you buy, donate or remove one. 6. Audit your calendar weekly. • Every Sunday, review next week's calendar. Ask: 'Which of these commitments would I schedule again today? 7. Embrace digital minimalism. • Schedule screen-free time in your calendar to recharge. 8. Focus on 3 key priorities. • Each day, pick three things to accomplish—no more. 9. Set boundaries. • Create a 'not-to-do' list of activities and behaviors you won't tolerate. Review it monthly 10. Automate the mundane. • Automate bills, groceries, and recurring tasks. 11. Simplify your wardrobe. • Build a capsule wardrobe. Everything should match with at least 3 other pieces. 12. Declutter your social media feeds. • Unfollow accounts that don’t bring joy or value. 13. Practice gratitude daily. • At the end of the day, write down 3 specific moments from today that went well. It trains your brain to spot the good. 14. Let go of perfectionism. • Use the 80/20 rule: Get things 80% right and move on. The last 20% rarely matters.. 15. Reflect weekly. • Every Sunday, answer 3 questions: What worked? What didn't? What's one thing to change next week? — Found this helpful? Repost it. ♻️ Follow me, Misha Rubin, for actionable career insights. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my free newsletter, The Modern Executive: Dare to Be Yourself and Win in Corporate — https://lnkd.in/e4Z7TKVH