Blog | SeibCo, LLC

What Happens When You Make Assumptions?

July 24, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Making assumptions hurts performance, effectiveness, and profitability.” Jeannette Seibly

“You think someone ignored your email. Turns out it landed in spam.”

“You believe someone is upset with you because they didn’t return your call. Turns out they didn’t get it.”

This common occurrence can limit your effectiveness as a leader, boss, influencer, or team contributor.

⚠️ What happens when you create false narratives:

You limit your ability to influence.
You allow the assumption to lead to misunderstandings and missed chances.
You erode trust and connection – your boss, co-workers, and clients no longer trust in your leadership.

🔄 Why We Do It

Your mind fills in the blanks quickly and you believe your perceptions to be the truth.
You base it on past experiences, not current facts.
You’re driven by emotion more than logic.

💬 What Can You Do Instead

Follow-up and ask instead of guessing.
If you called, send an email. If you sent an email, call. Leave a post it reminder.
Ask open-ended questions to learn the truth.

✅ Assumptions are normal—but unchecked, they cloud judgment. “Slow down. Ask. Understand. Clarity leads to better working relationships and results.”

🔗 Ready to initiate your next chapter—or refine your role as a powerful contributor? I specialize in coaching leaders who are ready to build legacies, embrace reinvention, and lead with clarity. Let’s talk about what’s next for you.

👉 Contact me for a confidential conversation.

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, specializes in delivering innovative solutions for hiring, coaching, and leadership challenges. Over the past 32 years, she has empowered business owners, bosses, and leaders to achieve remarkable success. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Jeannette champions those eager to elevate, expand, and excel in their results.

🧭 How to Reduce the High Cost of a Poorly Designed Job Fit Selection System

July 21, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Poor fit isn’t just inconvenient—it’s disruptive to morale, momentum, and mission.” Jeannette Seibly

Hiring isn’t just about filling a role—it’s about shaping the future of your organization. When leaders rely on outdated or misaligned selection systems, they invite costly consequences that echo across departments, customer relationships, and organizational culture. A poor fit isn’t just inconvenient—it’s disruptive to morale, momentum, and mission.

When organizations rely on flawed selection processes, the ripple effects extend far beyond hiring missteps:

🚫 Overlooked Talent: Qualified candidates are often missed due to vague criteria or unconscious bias.
📉 Lost Loyalty: Customers leave when service suffers from underqualified or mismatched employees.
💸 Financial & Legal Risk: Frequent hiring and firing cycles damage reputation, increase turnover costs, and heighten liability concerns.
🧠 Bias-Driven Choices: Selection decisions reflect unresolved beliefs and emotional residue, not data-driven clarity.

💡 How to Improve Hiring Precision and Integrity

To build a hiring process that honors both excellence and equity:

🎯 Clarify the Role: Develop clear job specifications and descriptions to define success on the job—not just tasks, but traits and mindset.
🛠️ Use Validated Tools: Employ legally compliant, scientifically sound assessments and structured interviews for hiring, promotions, and transitions.
🔍 Treat Intuition as a Signal, Not the Verdict: Gut instincts offer clues, but they can’t answer who, what, where, when, or why. Let data and dialogue do the heavy lifting.
📅 Prioritize Onboarding: Even returning employees (Boomerangs) need a fresh launch. A 180-Day Plan ensures integration, accountability, and cultural alignment. (See Hire Amazing Employees, Chapter 6 for practical tools.)

🧩 In Summary

A well-designed job fit system is a leadership imperative. When we align roles, tools, and onboarding strategies with clear standards and inclusive practices, we create space for true potential to emerge. The payoff? Stronger teams, greater customer trust, and a workplace built on confidence—not guesswork.

Are You a Leader That Talks Too Much?

July 14, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“When you talk to talk, people stop listening!” Jeannette Seibly

I noticed after attending several meetings in one day, a clear pattern emerged—each session had one person who consistently monopolized the conversation. What’s worse: The people talking too much knew they were doing it and did it anyway. They were not present to the impact. The result? The other participants left feeling drained and disengaged because there had been little opportunity for meaningful dialogue.

🔍 Why Is This Important

True leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice or the longest airtime—it’s about ensuring all voices are heard. Unfortunately, many leaders fall into the habit of dominating discussions by talking too much. Even those with self-awareness may continue this behavior unchecked, leading to:

Reduced credibility
Missed opportunities to influence an outcome or decision
Confusion due to mixed messages
Disengaged peers and bosses who stop listening
Lack of respect and rapport
Overlooked ideas and creative solutions
Disempowered team members
Concern about your ability to handle confidential information

🚦Are You Talking Too Much?

Verbal overload often stems from these patterns:

Over-explaining: Mistaking length of explanation or providing too many details for clarity
Authority signaling: Leaving others feeling dismissed, unimportant, or simply tune out
Silence avoidance: Filling every pause, silence, or gap unnecessarily
Passion overload: Overshadowing others with enthusiasm and overconfidence
Editing while speaking: Rambling without a clear point
Enjoying your own stories too much: Everyone has a story – yours is not the only one (hint: They’ve already heard your story several times)

These communication habits erode trust, collaboration, and progress.

📊 How to Objectively Clarify Communication Challenges

PXT Select® is a valuable tool for identifying communication styles and behavioral tendencies. It helps leaders:

Distinguish between dominating and facilitating collaborative conversations
Understand how your thinking style affects clarity and engagement when talking
Identify traits that may hinder your team’s participation

Teams can also use it to:

Recognize individuals prone to over-talking
Empower quieter voices
Foster a culture of balanced contribution

The PXT Select® can objectively guide your communication by taking it from guesswork to data-driven insights.

🧭 Other Practical Ways to Talk Less While Saying More

Practice in Front of Mirror: Before a presentation or team meeting, talk with the person in the mirror
Start with the End in Mind: Start the conversation with the end goal in 20 words or less
Use Focused Language: Provide no more than three key points – brevity is key
Stay Away from Jargon: Never assume everyone knows what you’re talking about
Expand Points: Keep it simple (e.g., choice of words) and engaging (brief, on-point stories work well)
Monitor engagement: Gauge energy and participation in real time through listening
Ask: Check to see if there are any questions and keep responses simple and consistent
Let silence do the work: Pause often to encourage reflection

🧘‍♂️ Coaching Talkative Team Members

Managing overly talkative individuals requires balance, not suppression:

Clarify the meeting’s goal to keep discussions focused
Use round-robin formats or written input to ensure everyone has a chance to speak up
Redirect constructively without discouraging enthusiasm
Offer actionable feedback to improve conversation dynamics

🌟 Final Thought

When you speak, talking less can positively influence results. By fostering awareness, using tools like PXT Select, and guiding conversations thoughtfully, you can create meetings where everyone is engaged and their voices resonate due to feeling heard.

Are you 55+ and concern about what’s next in your career or life? Contact me for a confidential conversation that can clarify and empower your choices.

Beyond the Illusion: Leading with Self-Awareness When Mistakes Happen

July 7, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Our self-awareness reminds us that we can and do make an impact. Just make sure it’s a positive one.” —Jeannette Seibly

Struggling with shame after a misstep or failed decision? You’re not alone. Every leader—regardless of title—has stumbled, missed key insights, or fallen short of expectations.

The real illusion is control—control over people, plans, and outcomes. Yet no matter how tightly we try to steer, situations and people can still go sideways.

Leadership isn’t tested when things unfold perfectly. It’s revealed in the moments that go off-script. That’s where self-awareness steps in. How we recognize, respond to, and grow from challenge—not the mistake itself—is what defines our leadership.

“Our self-awareness reminds us that we can and do make an impact. Just make sure it’s a positive one.” —Jeannette Seibly

Goals shift. Priorities evolve. Circumstances change. These are beyond our control—and that’s okay. The key is resilience. The secret is flexibility. And the real work? Getting honest. Staying grounded. Leading with self-awareness.

Staying Stuck in the Illusion

“I’m Not Enough.” This belief is seductive—but it’s still a lie. It whispers that you don’t have what it takes. Its twin is just as common: “I don’t have enough time or money.” Truth is, you get 24 hours—and plenty of successful ideas have started without funding.
Avoid Honest Conversations. Leadership begins with honesty—and that’s an inside job. If you can’t tell the truth to yourself, you’ll struggle to be real with others. That internal dishonesty quietly erodes trust, misaligns teams, and derails results.
Refuse Vulnerability. You don’t need to overshare in a dramatic monologue. But when you responsibly reveal the not-so-shiny parts of leadership, you invite support. You also encourage others to be honest with themselves. That’s how trust is built—and teams grow stronger.

How to Get Real: It Starts with Self-Awareness

Reset Your Inner Dialogue. That internal conversation you’re having with yourself—before, during, and after a misstep—shapes everything. If it’s clouded with judgment or self-doubt, don’t be surprised when others reflect that back. Mistakes don’t define your value. Neither do outcomes.

Talk Straight. Lead with facts—external and internal—and don’t skip the human impact. Clarity is empowering, not harsh. Share stories if they illuminate and uplift. Let them serve the listener, not your ego. The goal is progress, not pity.

Accept What Is. Ruminating on how it should be won’t change what is. If you talk about it – but ignore solutions, change won’t happen. That’s not leadership. That’s avoidance. And it denies your inner power to create win-win-win outcomes.

See the Opportunity in Every Challenge. Transformation hinges on your choices. Let go of “trying” to control the process with excuses. Excuses aren’t obstacles—they’re blinders.

Know Thyself. Most think they’re self-aware. Few truly are. Emotional intelligence isn’t just identifying patterns—it’s using them to shift. That’s emotional integrity. Want a shortcut? Use validated assessments. Work with an experienced executive coach. Lean on mentors. Self-awareness is a team sport.

Brag with Data. Know your wins—and measure them. Business speaks numbers. When you track your impact, you don’t have to prove your worth. You show it when you speak.

Build Mental Resilience. We’re often told to “suck it up” after failure. But real toughness blends resilience with emotional awareness. Don’t take the fall for others. Own your part. Resolve it. Then release it.

Own the Narrative. When things go sideways, run a quick “What Worked / What Didn’t” review. Bring in a trusted advisor—they’ll see what you missed. Don’t spiral. Get strategic. Take focused action—now.

Here’s your new mantra: “I am enough.” Not because everything went right. But because when it didn’t, you chose to lead with self-awareness instead of illusion. That’s leadership worth following.

5 Reasons to Be Cautious When Rehiring Boomerangs

June 30, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Boomerang hiring is booming. The risk? Relying on memories instead of interviewing for current job fit.” Jeannette Seibly

Boomerang employees—those returning to a previous employer—now account for 35% of all new hires (ADP, March 2025), the highest on record.

They know the environment. That’s why boomerangs feel like low-risk, high-speed solutions to today’s talent gaps.

But before you roll out the red carpet, it’s worth pausing to ask: Is this a smart strategic decision—or a shortcut with long-term costs?

What’s Fueling the Boomerang Boom?

They know the ropes. Returning employees already understand the culture and systems, so they get up to speed faster.
The grass wasn’t greener. Many people who quit during the Great Resignation didn’t find what they hoped for, so they’re open to returning.
Remote work opens doors. Flexible options make coming back more appealing, especially if location is no longer a deal-breaker.
Smart exits lead to smart rehires. When co-workers, bosses, and leaders stay connected with former employees, it’s easy to invite top talent to come back.
It’s a sign of a strong culture. When people want to return, it usually means you’re doing something right.

Here are five ways to evaluate whether bringing back a boomerang will truly serve your team:

Memory is a poor strategist. Fond or negative recollections can cloud reality. Take the time to review performance evaluations, exit interview notes, and team feedback. Talk candidly with the former employee (and the person/people encouraging them to return). Why did they leave, and what’s changed? What new skills have they acquired? Have them share results of their improved communication, decision-making, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence skills. If you want alignment, don’t rely on nostalgia. Rely on clarity and open conversations.
Let data lead the way—especially around fit. Use tools like PXT Select to assess job fit, cognitive style, and occupational interests. Compare these critical traits against current role requirements. A returning employee may “know the ropes,” but that doesn’t guarantee alignment with today’s expectations. It’s better to hire with your eyes open than wish you had later.
Growth should be mutual. Boomerangs often return with expanded skills and broader perspectives. What can you offer them that justifies a return? What are their goals today? How can you support them in achieving them while getting the job done? Use this opportunity to explore career pathing and succession planning, ensuring both you and the employee see a future beyond the honeymoon.
Onboarding is still essential. Don’t skip reintegration. Provide a 180-day success plan (see Chapter 6, Hire Amazing Employees, 3rd Edition) that includes reconnecting with cross-functional teams and aligning with current systems, values, and practices. People change. Systems change. So do workplace cultures.
Start with meaningful conversations. Re-recruiting starts with curiosity, not assumptions. Have more than one conversation to ensure consistent responses by using a structured interview process. Ask what they’re looking for, what they’ve learned, and what would make this return meaningful. Avoid jumping into a salary negotiation—if compensation is the only motivator, you may set the stage for another early exit.

Grab her book, “Hire Amazing Employees,” and confidently use a strategic job fit selection system to ensure that returning former employees are placed in the right jobs.

Rebuilding Bridges: Working for a New Boss That Used to Work for You

June 24, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Company restructuring offers new opportunities to become a great leader, even when you have been replaced as the boss.” Jeannette Seibly

A restructuring has flipped the script—a former employee or co-worker you once ignored or disliked is now calling the shots as your new boss.

Your initial reaction? Dust off your resume or escalate concerns to upper management.

But before making an impulsive move, consider this: adapting to these changes presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate resilience, self-awareness, and leadership agility.

Successfully navigating this transition proves your ability to collaborate with anyone, under any circumstances—a desirable trait for all great leaders.

Tips to Develop a Positive Working Relationship

Acknowledge and Accept the Change

Extend a professional “congratulations” when the announcement is made. Words matter, but sincerity is key.
Proactively request a meeting to clarify expectations and roles due to the restructuring. Beware if the new boss insists there will be no changes—request the meeting to ensure alignment.
Set the tone for mutual respect—listening with intention fosters collaboration, regardless of past tensions.
Don’t expect instant rapport with the new boss. S/he may not readily trust you due to a lack of confidence or past interactions with you. Be patient and don’t undermine their progress.

Strengthen Professionalism and Awareness

Your biases, poor communication skills, and other bad habits may be why you were overlooked in the company restructuring. These must be addressed with your executive coach and therapist for you to excel.
This is a great opportunity for professional growth—attend workshops (and actively participate), engage in role-playing exercises, and listen to podcasts that sharpen emotional intelligence, adaptability, and objectivity.
Hire your own executive coach and use an objective job fit assessment to understand your inherent strengths and weaknesses. Confidentially, talk about how to become more effective.
Remember, awareness alone doesn’t drive change—your leadership style must visibly shift through consistent actions.
Be open to receiving feedback and coaching from the new boss, even when you disagree. Ask open-ended questions to discern the true issue.

Develop a Growth Mindset

It’s a new day when a company restructures (or is sold). It’s important to be a team player and stop participating in toxic factions or discriminatory cliques (inside and outside the company) that want to hold on to the old way of doing business.
Build emotional integrity: Demonstrating personal accountability signals to upper management that you’re invested in long-term success and future leadership opportunities.
Find an internal corporate or industry mentor to guide you through the restructuring, new working relationships, and new issues.

Rebuild Trust, If Possible

Reliability is key—consistently deliver on commitments and communicate challenges transparently.
Seek guidance from the new boss, even on familiar situations. These interactions offer fresh perspectives and demonstrate respect.
Support the new boss’s success, especially when s/he makes mistakes or poor decisions. Remember, your words and actions speak loudly.
Be an advocate if your former team members are struggling. Talk 1:1 with the new boss and encourage team members to do the same.
If met with cool indifference, remain professional—time and consistency will determine whether trust can be rebuilt.
Steer clear of office gossip. Instead, publicly support your new boss and contribute to a culture of collaboration.

Apply These Lessons for Long-Term Growth

Shift focus to measurable contributions: add value, showcase strengths, and position yourself as a team player despite company changes.
Leverage this experience to deepen your understanding of workplace dynamics and to mitigate biases. Learning how to work with and through others for team success is important.
Demonstrate ethical leadership and an inclusive mindset—your actions reinforce your credibility and growth.

Leadership is about navigating challenges, adapting with integrity, and fostering alignment. Embrace it. This can be your golden opportunity to elevate, expand, and excel your leadership.

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, specializes in delivering innovative solutions for hiring, coaching, and leadership challenges. Over the past 32 years, she has empowered business owners, executives, and managers to achieve remarkable success. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Jeannette champions those eager to elevate their performance and reach new heights.

Grab her book, “Hire Amazing Employees,” and confidently redesign and use a strategic selection system to ensure people are placed in the right jobs.

How to Get Past Failure and Move Forward with Confidence

June 17, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

We’ve all faced setbacks—some were frustrating, others downright humiliating. But instead of retreating and hoping no one notices (they will), the key is to get into action. Failure isn’t a dead end; it’s a detour that redirects you toward better results.

6 Steps to Regain Focus and Drive Success

Reflect with Purpose. Complete the What Worked? / What Didn’t Work? exercise individually, then bring your team together to share insights. This ensures learning, not blame.
Extract Lessons & Adjust. Ask: What did we learn? What can we do differently? Example: If you went over budget, assign clear financial oversight next time. Remember, the key is to tell the truth.
Acknowledge Contributions. Go around the virtual table and recognize each person’s successes. Failure doesn’t erase progress—celebrate what worked and what was learned!
Engage in Honest Conversations. If the failure impacted customers or employees, address it directly. No excuses—just listen, learn, and align on next steps.
Prioritize Alignment Over Consensus. Waiting for full agreement as to what to do next is a fool’s game. Get alignment, make decisions, and move forward. Momentum matters.
Take Action—Now Stop searching for an escape route. Action builds resilience and dissolves resistance. The sooner you move, the faster you recover.

Failure isn’t the end—it’s a pivot point. The faster you embrace it, the stronger your leadership becomes.

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, specializes in delivering innovative solutions for hiring, coaching, and leadership challenges. Over the past 32 years, she has empowered business owners, executives, and managers to achieve remarkable success. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Jeannette champions those eager to elevate, expand, and excel in their results.

Goal Accomplished! Now What?

June 9, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Success brings momentum. Don’t waste it—use it to fuel your next win.” Jeannette Seibly

You did it! You reached your goal—woohoo! 🎉 Now what?

Celebrate! Take a moment to enjoy the win. Share it with your team, friends, and family.
Choose Your Next Goal. What’s next? Pick a new project or find out what your boss or customers need.
Keep Going! Momentum is key. Don’t slow down—build on your success.

8 Ways to Keep the Momentum Going

✅ What Worked? What Didn’t? This step is a must. Every win and every mistake or failure teaches you something. Use this at the start, middle, and end of any project.

✅ Brainstorm! Don’t assume you know the best way forward. Listen to ideas and provide a safe environment so team members are comfortable speaking up. A theme or solution will pop up, even off-the-wall ideas have merit.

✅ Don’t Fear Risk! Take wild ideas and find five reasons they could work. You don’t have to use them, but they’ll spark new solutions.

✅ Think Like a Winner! Worried about the “what ifs”? Breathe. Start with your goal, set a deadline, and work backward. Break it into smaller steps.

✅ Review Your Plan. Run it by your coach, mentor, or someone outside the project. Then, share it with your team and boss. Aim for alignment—not consensus. Otherwise, you’ll stall.

✅ Get to Work! Make a system to track your progress. When you hit a wall (and you will), talk it out! Use “What Worked? What Didn’t?” to find missing pieces.

✅ Make It Happen! Just planning isn’t enough. Execution takes effort. Have key conversations along the way to stay on track.

✅ Celebrate Again! Another win? YES! 🎉 Don’t forget:

Thank your team.
Update your brags.
Do another “What Worked? What Didn’t?” to wrap things up.

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, specializes in delivering innovative solutions for hiring, coaching, and leadership challenges. Over the past 32 years, she has empowered business owners, executives, and managers to achieve remarkable success. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Jeannette champions those eager to elevate, expand, and excel in their results.

Do You Know How to Build a Robust Team?

June 2, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

A strong, adaptable team is the backbone of any successful organization. A robust team isn’t just made up of skilled individuals—it thrives on collaboration, problem-solving, and a shared commitment to growth.

Core Traits of a Robust Team:

Resilience – They adapt and maintain momentum despite setbacks.
Strong Communication – Open, honest dialogue fosters alignment.
Diverse Skill Sets – Varied expertise ensures dynamic problem-solving.
Accountability & Trust – Ownership and reliability strengthen cohesion.
Continuous Growth – Learning and adaptation prevent stagnation.

So, how do you build one?

Step 1: Hire with Intention

The hiring process is where it all begins. Selecting the right people using a job-fit selection system ensures the best match for the role, making this the least expensive place to get it right. Using tools that assess skills, job fit, and long-term potential sets the foundation for success.

Step 2: Onboard Effectively

Even the best hires need proper acclimation. Design an 180-day Success Plan (“Hire Amazing Employees” Chapter 6). This ensures you use a strong onboarding process that fosters confidence, alignment, and connection to the team’s mission. Without it, new employees risk feeling disconnected, which leads to early disengagement.

Step 3: Train Continuously

Continuous training keeps a team viable regardless of someone’s education and certifications. The best teams evolve alongside industry changes, ensuring they remain competitive and engaged. Training is not a one-time event—it’s an ongoing investment.

Step 4: Coach for Growth

Not all leaders and managers are natural coaches, but coaching is essential for sustained success. If coaching isn’t your strength, hiring a coach can help bridge the gap. A strategic coach guides teams in overcoming challenges while keeping momentum strong.

Leadership coaching plays a crucial role in fostering these qualities. A robust team doesn’t just happen—it’s built intentionally, with emotional integrity, strategic clarity, and a culture that empowers individuals to contribute fully.

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, specializes in delivering innovative solutions for hiring, coaching, and leadership challenges. Over the past 32 years, she has empowered business owners, executives, and managers to achieve remarkable success. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Jeannette champions those eager to elevate, expand, and excel in their results.

Are You Stuck? It’s Time to Move Forward!

May 26, 2025 by Jeannette Seibly

“Everyone gets stuck! Moving forward requires taking actions that make it happen.” Jeannette Seibly

Do you remember watching Wile E. Coyote in those classic cartoons? No matter how many times he slammed into a wall, he’d shake it off, only to hit the same wall again. Over and over. No new results.

Lately, I’ve been speaking with business professionals, bosses, and leaders who feel stuck, waiting, and hoping for change. When asked what actions they’re taking to move forward, every single one said, “I’m waiting to see.”

Many of us do this, wait and see. Feeling stuck can be excruciating—whether you need money, a promotion, or a resolution to a family drama. But waiting isn’t the answer. Staying stagnant drains your inner power and confidence. It limits your choices. It keeps you playing small, hoping for the best.

Getting unstuck requires action, step by step.

Get Unstuck Today!

Recognize the “Grass is Greener” Syndrome

Comparing your job, life, or circumstances to others can spark jealousy or frustration. You start believing that life would be better if only you had what they have. But the truth is—the grass isn’t greener elsewhere. It’s just different.

The solution? Get into action. Meditate to maintain momentum, work with an experienced coach, and commit to the steps that move you forward.

Change Your Perspective—Shift Your Mindset

A CPA named Darla was once a great employee. Then, she became negative and disengaged. After reviewing her job fit results (she was a great fit), I asked, “What’s the problem?”

Her answer? “I want to travel.”

I replied, “Then aren’t you in a perfect job that allows you to do that? Your workload is heavy in the first quarter, but after that, you can schedule travel!”

She paused, then agreed. A simple mindset shift changed everything.

Know What True Job Fit Means

Over 80% of people are in jobs that don’t fit them (Gallup). Too many believe they can succeed in any job, but that’s just not reality.

We get stuck thinking we should be our own boss or that we could get rich using someone else’s game plan or blueprint. But here’s the thing—many employed people do make great money when they manage their career choices wisely and invest their money well.

Want clarity? Use a qualified job fit assessment and work with an experienced coach. Then, take action before fear, doubt, and anxiety creep in.

Expand Your Responsibilities—Not Your Busywork

This isn’t about piling on mindless tasks. Busywork creates boredom, frustration, and emptiness—the very essence of feeling stuck.

Instead, focus on work that naturally aligns with your thinking, core behaviors, and occupational interests. Expanding responsibilities the right way keeps you engaged.

Want a change? Develop your brag statements, then pitch the job shifts that will serve you and your company.

Work Smarter—Not Harder

It’s time to ditch the trial-and-error do-it-yourself approach. I know—you think you’ve got it handled. But if you stay stuck too long, or keep experimenting without direction, you’ll drain yourself emotionally and financially. The essence of staying stuck.

Work with a coach who specializes in moving people forward. Stop relying on friends who just tell you what you want to hear.

Take David—a former executive fired after 15 years. He spent five years chasing opportunities, trying new roles, even buying a franchise. Exhausted and financially strained, he finally reached out to his coach (me). That conversation changed everything.

Now? He’s thriving in a six-figure job he loves.

Break Through the Ceiling—Before You Jump

Feeling maxed out can push people toward drastic decisions—selling their business, quitting their job, moving, or retiring. But making choices while emotionally drained can limit opportunities.

Before you leap, take time to talk it out with a coach. Do the brag work. Use an objective job fit assessment to clarify where you excel in today’s business world.

One young woman was pressured by her father to work for him, despite her own career aspirations. She hired me, followed the steps outlined in this article, and made her move. Years later? She’s still making six figures and loving her life.

You Can Do It Too

It all starts with the courage to say: “Yes! My goals and my life matter.”

Now, take actions that make it happen.

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, specializes in delivering innovative solutions for hiring, coaching, and leadership challenges. Over the past 32 years, she has empowered business owners, executives, and managers to achieve remarkable success. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Jeannette champions those eager to elevate, expand, and excel in their results.