Navigating Executive Career Paths

Most people think career success comes from making the perfect decision. It doesn’t. It comes from making timely, values-aligned ones. Especially when the next step feels unclear. One of my clients, a brilliant VP, spent 3 months stuck on a single choice: “Do I speak up about being overlooked, or wait for my work to speak for itself?” She called it strategic patience. But it was really fear disguised as overthinking. We ran it through this framework. She made the call. Six weeks later, her promotion was fast-tracked. She was finally seen, heard, and most importantly, included. Because here’s what I tell every high-achiever I coach: You don’t need more time to decide. You need a better way to decide. Try the 2-Minute Decision Framework™ (Career Edition): 1. QUICK DECISIONS → Handle it NOW For low-stakes tasks that clog your mental bandwidth: → Can you respond to that email in < 2 minutes? → Is the request low risk and easily reversible? → Are you spiraling on something that just needs action? ✅ Do it. Momentum builds trust and confidence. (Your career doesn’t stall in the big moves, it drips away through tiny indecisions.) 2. TEAM DECISIONS → Resolve it TODAY For collaborative work or project bottlenecks: → Who’s recommending this approach? → Who’s doing the work? → Who’s accountable for the final call? ✍️ Assign roles. Align expectations. Move forward. (Most team confusion comes from no one knowing who’s driving.) Use this anytime you’re: – Leading a cross-functional project – Navigating performance reviews – Building team trust through shared clarity 3. CAREER DECISIONS → Make it THIS WEEK For decisions that affect your growth, visibility, and voice: Use the 3–2–1 Method: → 3 options: Brainstorm career paths, scripts, or solutions → 2 perspectives: Ask two mentors, not the whole internet → 1 call: Choose the path aligned with your long game 🎯 Clarity > complexity. Every time. This works for: – Deciding whether to advocate for a raise or promotion – Considering a lateral move for growth – Navigating visibility or speaking up on tough issues The truth is: courageous careers aren’t built on perfect plans. They’re built on small, aligned decisions made with intention. That’s C.H.O.I.C.E.® in action. So here’s your coaching moment: 🔥 Pick one decision you’ve been avoiding. Run it through the framework. Make the call within the next hour. Then ask yourself: What changed when I finally decided? ❓ What’s one career decision you’ve been sitting on too long? Share it below, or DM me, and we’ll run it through together. 🔖 Save this for your next “Should I…?” moment 👥 Tag someone who needs this framework in their toolkit Because alignment isn’t found in overthinking. It’s built through C.H.O.I.C.E.®. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for tools that actually work in real life. #CareerCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment

🌟Strategic Moves: Mastering Your Next Executive Role in the Social Sector🌟 In the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit leadership, transitions between executive roles are far more than mere occupational shifts—they’re pivotal moments that shape missions, teams, and entire organizations. For executives who’ve etched their mark on the social impact sector, the next move isn’t just a career milestone, it’s a mission-critical juncture. Navigating the complexity of this transition requires strategic preparation. It’s not solely about your résumé or past accomplishments; it’s about how you position those achievements to align with your future vision for organizational impact. Additionally, salary negotiations become exercises in value alignment, marrying your expertise with the mission’s demands, far beyond market rates. One of the many hats I wear across the talent lifecycle is executive search and transition strategist. I guide executives through targeted research, deft negotiation, and thoughtful role integration, ensuring that your next step is not just a title, but a testament to your ability to drive change. As you stand on the cusp of your next executive opportunity, ponder this: the journey from candidacy to executive leadership is a critical one that benefits from a knowledgeable navigator. It’s not merely about finding a role; it’s about cultivating your leadership in a way that amplifies both your impact and the mission you serve. If you’re on the precipice of your next executive venture in the social impact sector and seek a nuanced, strategic approach to your transition, let’s connect and explore how we can elevate both your leadership and the missions that matter. #ExecutiveTransition #LeadershipDevelopment #SocialImpact #NonprofitLeadership #CareerStrategy #SalaryNegotiation #StrategicAlignment #MissionDriven #ExecutiveCoaching #navigatingchange

The secret to a successful executive job search: Understanding the hiring process from the inside out. Understanding the hiring process from each key player’s perspective is crucial, especially for executives ready to explore new opportunities. The key players in the hiring process are: • Candidates who present their skills and experiences • Recruiters who filter, evaluate, and facilitate interviews • Hiring managers, who decide who and what they're hiring for and make final decisions • Human Resources professionals who manage offer letters, background checks, and onboarding • Applicant Tracking Systems, the process management hub enabling each step To succeed, candidates must grasp each player's distinct role, responsibility, and perspective. But here's the critical insight: Hiring managers want to make up their own minds. They don't want to feel sold to. The most effective candidates put themselves in the hiring manager's shoes. They ask: "What would I want to see if I was hiring for this role?" Then they tailor their approach to provide exactly that. As you prepare for your next move, here's a question to consider: How can you navigate this complex process not just as a participant but also as a strategic partner? Empathy and thoughtful positioning are tremendous assets. With a thoughtful, considerate, and realistic approach, you can reduce the friction in your hiring processes and set yourself up for a successful search. And if you're seeking personalized guidance on your executive journey, let's connect. Together, we'll get you ready to make sure the next step is not just a new job but a good fit.

The most powerful shift high performing executives looking for a role they love can make is to... "Stop searching for a job and starting seeking problems to solve." This was #1 on my list of 15 "lessons learned" shared on yesterday's 15 years anniversary post for Career Attraction (link below to the full list). This shift is exceptionally impactful for a multitude of reasons: 1) Curiosity uncovers more opportunities than "I'm looking for..." Make it about the other person. 2) You can uncover the richest part of the "hidden" job market: misdiagnosed problems with no designated leader (job) to solve for them. (READ: design your own job.) 3) The question(s) you ask demonstrate your subject matter expertise and "Zone of Genius" much more than a brag sheet of accomplishments. 4) Execute #3 effectively and you'll get high quality referrals all day long. Someone experiencing your brilliance is way more valuable than asking for a job lead/intro. 5) Learn how to do this effectively and you can create opportunities on-demand. No longer do you need to wait on recruiters, the economy or an algorithm. I could go on. For more insights and advice aimed to help high achievers take control of their careers to create work they love... give me a follow. And, if you want to read the other 14 lessons learned... check out the full article linked in the comment below. #executivecoach #executivesearch #careerdevelopment

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 (𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺) 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 Navigating an executive job search in a volatile election year like 2024 can be challenging but also presents unique opportunities. Here are my top three pieces of advice to ensure success: 1. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆 Election years are marked by uncertainty, which can cause companies to slow down their hiring processes. To counter this, focus on 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 your network. Engage with industry leaders, attend events (both virtual and in-person), and reconnect with former colleagues. Networking uncovers hidden opportunities that aren't advertised publicly. Bain & Company highlights the importance of using professional networks to navigate career transitions, especially during uncertain times. 2. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 Keep abreast of political developments and understand how potential policy changes could impact your industry. This knowledge allows you to tailor your pitch to address how you can help a company navigate these changes. According to Deloitte, being well-informed and adaptable positions you as a 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀. Demonstrating awareness of market and policy shifts can set you apart from other candidates. 3. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 Companies may be more cautious about hiring during election years, focusing on roles that directly contribute to their bottom line. Shift your job search strategy from seeking specific titles to demonstrating how you can create immediate value. Highlight your ability to drive growth, improve efficiency, and l ead teams through change. McKinsey & Company emphasizes that showcasing tangible impacts on a company's success is more compelling than holding out for a specific title. How are you leveraging the climate? I’m Loren Greiff, Executive Career Strategist Empowering executives with today's non conventional strategies to earn their seat at the table or make a new one. Click "book an appointment" link under my headline.