Career Decision Risks

I have been freelancing for 3 years and here is the complete truth about it, without romanticising it! Sure, the idea of "being your own boss", working from the comfort of your own home, and having the flexibility to choose your own hours can be very liberating but the all that glitters is not gold! From the lack of stability and job security to the never ending pressure to find new clients - freelancing is not all rainbows and butterflies. Here are the harsh realities of being a freelancer which you should consider: - No steady pay-check: Income as a freelancer, can vary greatly from month to month. This makes it extremely difficult to plan for the future. I have had months of making INR 2 lacs and then INR 15,000, so you need to be ready with a finance cushion in case things go south. - Cycle of finding new clients: As a freelancer you need to be on your toes - networking and finding new clients all day every day. A project can last anywhere from 1-6 months and hence you need to manage your workflow in a way that you don't overwhelm yourself with work but also have enough work to sustain yourself. - Lack of work life balance: When you are your own boss - it is difficult to get track and meet deadlines because you are a wonderful boss but a sloppy employee. There's also the risk of overworking oneself and burning out, as you often work in a niche you enjoy so separating work and play often doesn't happen. All in all - while the freedom and flexibility of freelancing can be alluring, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making the decision to become a freelancer. What are some of the challenges you have faced working for yourself? Let me know in the comments below! #freelancingtips #freelancinglife #linkedingrowth #linkedincreator

Before you accept that job offer, take a breath. I know the relief that comes with finally hearing “we’d like to make you an offer.” Especially if your job search has been draining or you’ve dealt with rejections. It’s tempting to say yes on the spot. But not every offer is a good one. Some roles look great on paper but drain you from the inside once you’re there. Others come with toxic leadership, unclear expectations, or pay that doesn’t match the scope of work. The truth is, the wrong offer can set you back further than waiting a little longer for the right one. So before you accept, pause and evaluate. Does this role align with your goals? Does it respect your boundaries, your growth, and your value? If not, it’s okay to walk away. That’s not being difficult. That’s being intentional. A job offer should feel like an opportunity, not an escape route. Choose accordingly. #careercoaching #jobsearchtips #midcareerprofessionals #careerclarity #professionalgrowth

The most dangerous career strategy in 2025: Following a path that worked for everyone before you. Over the last few weeks, my inbox has been flooded with messages of strife and anxiety from brilliant people blindsided by layoffs. To be honest, there is very little I can say to many. Most played the game of life perfectly. They went to great schools, got good grades, landed prestigious jobs, and worked hard. Their stories raises a critical question: What if it's not just specific jobs disappearing, but a fundamental flaw in how we've viewed careers and success? The linear world we've grown accustomed to is abruptly being disrupted. The ladders that guaranteed safety and success no longer hold their promise. For decades, we've operated under the belief that: → Business success comes from perfect execution → Career paths follow logical progression → Expertise can reliably predict the future My friend Gaetan recently said: "What if success was always more random than we wanted to believe? What if strategic planning was always more about the illusion of control than actual causality?" Navigating uncertainty now requires us to: → Judge the quality of our decisions not just results → Embrace uncertainty over false certainty → Recognize success as probabilistic For individuals navigating this shift: → Build skill portfolios, not linear paths → Combine skills uniquely; avoid single specialties → Design for uncertainty, not control → Test multiple career options → Adapt quickly; don’t chase perfection → Diversify income streams Following these principles won't just help you withstand career shocks, it makes you antifragile, allowing you to grow stronger from volatility and stress. The human cost of layoffs extends beyond financial insecurity; it's the painful realization that playing by the rules perfectly was never a guaranteed protection. Yet within this destabilizing reality lies a massive opportunity: to redefine success itself. Success shouldn't be a singular path to follow, but the freedom to create multiple paths of your own design. The true cost of clinging to old models isn't just stalling your career; it's missing the chance to discover who you might become when you stop following and start creating.

I've been freelancing here and there, and I'm grateful for every small opportunity that comes my way. However, I feel it's my responsibility to warn you about certain things you might encounter during this "drought season." Maybe my prolonged situation happened for a reason—so I could warn others about the real potential dangers out there for artists in general. Here are some of them: 1) Recruiter Scammers These people appear on LinkedIn the very second you post your availability for work. Ignore them at all costs. They don’t know you. Use your judgment—if they don’t come from the industry you’re looking to work in, they’re not legitimate. 2) "Draw My Husband" Scammers These scammers typically reach out via email, asking for a commissioned artwork to "surprise their husband" (or wife) and offering payment in advance. Don't fall for this! It’s a scam. No one offers money upfront like this. These schemes often lead to money laundering. 3) Fake Interviews from Scammers (A newer scam in the community!) They set up an interview that leads nowhere, often using Zoom filters to hide their background. In my case, I could see through the filter—the guy was in a run-down apartment with a single flood lamp, meaning he likely had no electricity. Again, they’ll offer money in advance, which will eventually turn into a money laundering scheme. Use your judgment—research their company on Google and verify if their email is from a real studio. 4) “Everyone Has an Animation Studio Now!” With major studios in an inexplicable hiatus, smaller studios are searching for talent everywhere. Now, not all small studios are bad or unprofessional—I’ve worked with fantastic ones run by wonderful people. However, I’ve also encountered so-called "studios" that are just one person with little to no budget. So, be wary of "John Doe Studios" talent-seeking ads—they're not always what they seem. Always verify the legitimacy of a studio before accepting a job. 5) People Who Send Unsolicited Scripts These are everywhere. They email you a script and ask you to read it to see if you're interested. CAREFUL! NEVER read or accept unsolicited material. It can put you in legal trouble. 6) "Dreamy" Commissions A fantastic commission suddenly appears—one that will definitely pay the bills. And they’ll pay via PayPal! Sounds great, right? Wrong. If you don’t personally know and trust the client, do NOT accept payments directly to your PayPal account. Here’s why: The scammer pays you a large amount from their credit card, then reports the transaction as fraudulent, and PayPal reverses the payment—leaving you with nothing. To protect yourself, use a PayPal Business account and offer a protected payment link or an official PayPal invoice. This way, there’s evidence of the transaction. There are many more scams out there, but these are some of the most common. Stay cautious, stay informed, and above all—value your work!

Ever wondered why you only get the job offer when you don't actually want the job? As an HR leader who’s helped hire thousands of people, here’s why: Candidates who care less, but come prepared, often win. When you try too hard, you slip into “persona mode” with a memorized answers, a measured tone, and you are a bit too agreeable to everything. But when you’re a bit messy, real, and show you have preferences & standards, you come across as human. Treat the interview like a conversation with a coworker. Go line-by-line through the job description, ask thoughtful questions, and co-create the role in the conversation. This is where magic happens. I have a book called "Reverse the Search" that dives into job search strategies like this and more. I'll link it in the comments. So the next time you walk into an interview, avoid persona mode! #jobsearch #career #linkedin

Board recruitment mistakes Number one - "Let's just interview a bunch of candidates and we will know which one we want" Nope! If the whole board doesn't agree on what skills and attributes they most need, now, to help govern given the current challenges and the expected strategic developments, you are just wasting each others' time. You may also be subtly deterring good candidates because the interview questions are not focused. Few good directors will relish the prospect of a board that can't agree and 'scatter-gun' questions from different panel members really send a strong warning that this might be the case. Developing a clear brief for who you want to recruit, and then seeking out candidtes who match the brief may backfire if you scimp on the 'homework' or thoughtful discussion required, but it is way better than interviewing in the hope that you will all somehow magically agree on a candidate drawn at random from respondents to an advert or the boards' own social networks. There is no substitute for a board that knows what skills it needs in its succession planning. #boards #recruitments #directors #directorship

Earlier this year, a candidate tried to game the system by hiding keywords in white text on their CV. Here's why this is a big no-no: 1️⃣ It raises immediate red flags if caught. 2️⃣ Lack of required experience is still evident. 3️⃣ It comes across as unprofessional and dishonest. The candidate in question was rejected on the merits of their CV. My colleague, Dillon Mahipala, spotted it when our ATS threw up some experiences and random keywords that looked entirely out of place. If you're still considering this, here are three good reasons to avoid such tactics. ⭕ You'll still be screened in the hiring process. ⭕ It can seriously damage your professional reputation. ⭕ Employers have tools to detect hidden text or other tricks. You're also missing the point. The key is to present yourself honestly and effectively. Highlight your real strengths and experiences that align with the job requirements. Remember, your skills and experience should speak for themselves.

High-achievers don’t burn out from hard work. They burn out from bullshit work. I’ve worked with hundreds of high-performing leaders—Directors, VPs, C-suite. And in most cases, burnout wasn't caused by long hours or high stakes. It was caused by something deeper: psychic fragmentation. The slow erosion that happens when you’re constantly forced to focus on the wrong things... things you know don't matter. High-achievers want to solve real problems...the ones they know are important and actually move the business forward. But in too many organizations, bureaucracy, constant change, and reactive leadership trap them in solving proximate problems instead of important ones. They’re working hard, but not on the highest priority problems. What drains them most is NOT the amount of work or the amount of hours, it's the misalignment. So if your top performers seem disengaged, frustrated, or frantic… don’t ask if they’re overworked, ask if you’re wasting their talent. 👋 Edit: Wow! This post clearly resonated with a lot of people. ➡️ If you’re an executive wondering if this is happening in your org, and how to fix, DM me. ➡️ If you’re a leader feeling this yourself and want to break the cycle, DM me. I work with leaders and companies to solve exactly this through coaching and leadership development. Let’s talk.

“Can you share your biggest mistake in business to date?” A question I was asked on the panel last week. We all make mistakes. Some eye-watering, some you can brush off. But all you can learn from. One of my biggest mistakes? Taking every piece of advice on LinkedIn as ‘gospel’ and essential. Whether that be: → Hiring because it’s the ONLY way to scale → Investing in a business coach because it’s the ONLY way to scale → Purchasing an office space because it’s the ONLY way to be successful → Using every recommended software tool because it’s the ONLY way to be efficient I remember when I spent £200 on embossed business cards because they were “essential”. Yet I’ve got hundreds sitting in a box in the spare room. Yes, LinkedIn is filled with incredible, actionable advice. Receiving insights from 7, 8 and 9 figure entrepreneurs at your fingertips. For free. But, don’t forget — Your journey, your pathway and your WHY are unique to you. Just because the majority (or even minority) on LinkedIn are doing it. It doesn’t mean you should. Photo by Wendy Gannon 📸

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?