February 27, 2025 – JOLT – Are you practicing career fraud?

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“Our ability to manufacture fraud now exceeds our ability to detect it.” – Al Pacino

Are you practicing career fraud?

An interesting question to ponder. Maybe worth a few minutes of self-examination?

First Installment

Let’s explore what career fraudulence is not, and then consider what it might be.

What it’s not is a strikingly similar concept, but from a different angle and with a different result: the imposter syndrome. Dr. Pauline Ross’ coining of that term in 1985 launched a slew of books, spin-offs and trainings.

Harvard Business Review defines “imposter syndrome” as:

“a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. ‘Impostors’ suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence. They seem unable to internalize their accomplishments, however successful they are in their field. High-achieving, highly successful people often suffer, so impostor syndrome doesn’t equate with low self-esteem or a lack of self-confidence.”

The results of imposter syndrome often express through anxiety, depression and cynicism in the individual which, as it impacts the workplace, can foster less risk-taking, isolation and burnout. Enormously costly to an organization! No wonder many leading companies address this condition outright through internal training and development programs.

Now, let’s explore what career fraudulence might be. Consider the following working definition of career fraud and the results it may portend:

“a self-determined condition of finding oneself succeeding along a particular career path and even demonstrating exceptional talent in a field, often lauded, positioned well and held in high regard, with the associated increases in stature, status and wealth generally accompanying standard concepts of success, yet possessing strongly convicted internal beliefs or even a heartfelt knowing that this work is not in alignment with ‘who you really are.'”

While the results of this particular “syndrome” are of little cost to the organization – because, after all, the individual is a rockstar in the eyes of the company, fellow executives, stockholders, investors, etc. – the cost to the individual can be enormous and result in many lost years of enjoying authentic career and life satisfaction reflective of one’s true self. The correlated costs in terms of mental, emotional, and physical health, well-being and longevity can only be conjectured until deeper research occurs. But one can imagine it to be huge.

How does one assess if they are, in fact, a career fraud?

Let’s agree upfront that it won’t be a simple litmus test. Remember, these folks are so buoyed up in support of their less authentic exterior – and, one might even say, locked into it – that to consider themselves as inauthentic would require their willingness to do an honest double take on themselves and a fearless moral inventory to inquire beneath the shiny objects of proof to the contrary. It’s possible that one can be damn good and still trapped.

Yet, if the idea itself grabs the attention, it may be a sign that there’s gold in them thar hills. If the “true” fits. . .

More to come on this as I begin to design such an assessment.

But in the meantime, if this brought up smoke and you’d like to determine if there’s actual fire, do a little exploration and journaling around:

• What was it you first wanted to do in life, and how did that get expressed, resolved, or rationalized away?
   
• Have you ever considered, no matter how positioned or polished you are in your current career, that there might be something reflecting a truer expression of you?

• If there were an actual shift in career path that would be more in congruence with the real you, what are the very valid reasons why you could never attempt to make that shift? And what are the very valid reasons why you couldn’t afford not to? Compare.

No leading of the witnesses here. And there’s no black and white. As in all things, there are many shades of grey. Yet, even if you come out of this little exercise a tad more clear that you may be missing the road less travelled of full-Self career expression, isn’t it worth the inquiry?

I’d really love to hear what you see for yourself, so please follow up with me personally. Just beginning this research in earnest, I’d highly appreciate your empirical input.

And if this triggered a sliver of questioning of your particular career lot in life, I invite you to join the CareerGuy Executive Passion & Purpose Breakout on March 27, where we will explore a bit deeper.

The CareerGuy Passion & Purpose Breakout!

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

P.S. Watch out for the Second Installment of this inquiry in the next newsletter.

“Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.”  – Sophocles

December 11, 2024 – JOLT – The Wonderful Time to Skill Up Human Connectivity

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“’It’s the most wonderful time of the year…’ Really? Is it the most wonderful? Have you been outside? Seen the crowds? The traffic? Ever go through security at the airport in December? I’ll tell you one word that doesn’t come to mind: Wonderful…” – Jim Gaffigan

The most easy and rewarding skill to uplevel this holiday season?
Human Connectivity

A short and sweet holiday wish: that the crowds bless you.

I posted a couple short videos on LinkedIn last week (see them HERE), reminding us all that we can see the holiday crowds two ways:

• As reasons to hunker inward out of subconscious protectionistic fear
• As opportunities to explore the truth that “it’s a small world after all”

My invitation is to use the 6 weeks between now and New Years as an experimental Human Connectivity playground.

You simply never know who you’ll be rubbing elbows with as you move about your life amid a world of people more jovial, friendly and high-spirited than any other six weeks of the year.

In my bestselling book, Never Apply for a Job Again: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest, I encourage folks to get outside their typical comfort zones of interaction and break rules such as:

Don’t Talk to Strangers

What? Who Said? Your mom when you were running around the grocery store talking to everyone and embarrassing her? There’s no better time to forget that rule than right now. There’s someone in front of you and someone behind you when you’re in line for that latte at the coffee shop. You never know if one of those people happens to be the sister-in-law of your next employer, client, or business partner. Talk to people! Everywhere! Anywhere! Become a COW: Citizen of the World.”
(Never Apply for a Job Again, Career Press, p. 32)

I invite you to practice Random Acts of Human Connectivity. And if you are considering a new career direction for yourself in the coming year, there’s no time like the holidays to do a little internal reflection and career resurrection.

Grab some time to review your past year’s career progress. Note the high and low points. Assess the fulfillment of your goals, passion and purpose.

And forget about resolutions: just take action during the holidays to level yourself up for where you want to be.

Speak to a career coach. (I know someone.) Make some long-overdue reconnections. And practice Random Acts of Human Connectivity.

Your stocking stuffer, AI (Aspiration Intelligence) enhanced challenge between now and New Years Eve, should you choose to accept it, is to meet, greet and find the holiday treat in every connection opportunity around you!

Meet and introduce yourself to 3 people a day you don’t know. What you REALLY don’t know is how amazed you’ll be when you realize who is around you.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

P.S. Want to treat yourself to a luxurious career gift in the New Year? Attend the 2025 inaugural CareerGuy Passion & Purpose Breakout!

“When all the dust is settled and all the crowds are gone, the things that matter are faith, family and friends.” [Did you make some new ones during these crowded times?] – Barbara Bush “Sharing the holidays with other people, and feeling that you’re giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism.”  – Caroline Kennedy

October 23, 2024 – JOLT – Are you moving at the speed of pain?

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is a megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” – C.S. Lewis

If Pain Pushes Until Vision Pulls, Is It Time to Vision Up?

I recently heard someone say “I move at the speed of pain.”

It’s a sad but true comment on how, as humans, we tend to only move forward when we can absolutely no longer remain where we are:

• Our spouse or partner says, after many signs, that the gig is up and it’s over.
• The doctor’s diagnosis is that, if we continue doing what we’re doing (or not doing what we’re not doing), our health and life ahead is questionable.
• We go into work one morning and are shuffled unexpectedly into a room with our senior executive manager and the company’s chief people officer to be let go.

Over the years when I would participate in such massive corporate layoffs — as the helpful career guide waiting in a separate room to meet them after that layoff — I’d be amazed at how much folks had been paralyzed in pain.

Upon offering tissues to those noticeable caught off guard and upset at the news, I’d ask “So, did you ever consider that there may be a future for you outside of [X company]?”

Many would reply, while wiping away tears or blowing their nose, “Oh sure. I’ve been wanting to get out of here for years!”

Yet, here they sat, completely at the effect of their career movement rather than in charge of and causing it. A victim to the capricious and impersonal nature of corporate entities looking out for their own welfare.

Why aren’t professionals constantly looking out for their own welfare?

Because they don’t treat themselves like a business. They have an employee mindset vs a business owner mindset.

If you weren’t aware, let me break it to you gently, before you may one day learn it the hard way:

You OWN your own business. You always have. You simply lease out your employable assets.

And one thing any business owner must always do is constantly be on the lookout for the highest ROI while directing their resources in those directions.

What is a higher ROI? Of course, more compensation or benefits is often the case, but there are many other factors, depending on the person:

• Better work culture or management vision
• Work hours, location, and hybrid/virtual options
• A role more aligned with one’s passions
• Opportunities to expand in influence and/or responsibilities
• Opportunities to move back into former responsibilities one now misses

So, your AI (Aspiration Intelligence) enhanced challenge between now and New Years Eve, should you choose to accept it, is to take all of the factors mentioned above and create a VISION around them now!

Spend 15min per day simply sitting in quiet rumination of those ideas and, when your attention is more focused on your VISION vs your accepted and seemingly bearable pain, you’ll find yourself taking actions you would have never imagined.

One might be to talk with a career coach.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

P.S. Want to explore how pain can be pointed toward a passionate and purposeful career? Attend the upcoming CareerGuy Passion & Purpose Breakout!

“Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be [do and have].” – James Allen

October 2, 2024 – JOLT – Toilet Paper, Port Strikes & Human Connectibility

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“Communication — the human connection — is the key to personal and career success.” – Paul J. Meyer

Answering Threats of Automation, AI and Empty Toilet Paper Shelves

The (m)asses are in charge.

It seems when uncertainty of a certain level occurs in modern times, the backside takes priority.

The port strikes initiated yesterday on the East and Gulf Coasts has toilet paper rolling off the shelves.

For sure, there’s reason to be concerned, as prices on everything moving through ports will undoubtedly increase, just in time for multipe end-of-year holidays.

There’s also reason to take note of the underlying issue at the heart of port workers’ demands: preventing automation from taking their jobs.

Now, I’m no economist, but I am a career tactician. And the undeniable truth is that, in “Night of the Living Dead” fashion, “they’re coming to get you Barbara.”

AI and all forms of automation are encroaching at an increasing pace. It might be delayed, but it won’t be stopped.

Here are just a few fun facts:

• 39% of HR managers currently use AI in the hiring process
• Not only can AI create an indepth profile of how you act and think based on your resume, but it can analyze a video interview and provide a hiring manager with a complete personality profile of you even before you speak with them (ye-bye Myers-Briggs and DISC!)
• A summer survey of US firms showed that 60% of them plan to incorporate AI within the next year to automate jobs that people now do.
• A similar 2020/2021 implementation of automation at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles (in my backyard) eliminated 572 full-time jobs.

So, what’s the answer? Usually in those zombie movies, after all the exhaustive fighting, humans prevail. But this isn’t a movie, and AI/automation will no doubt win.

However, in whatever quiver of career skills you’ve developed thus far, there’s a very special one that will always keep you above the Matrix of machinery nipping at your heels.

That mostly unmastered and undeveloped skill is Human Connection.

I like to call it Human Connectibility.

• Human Connectibility has you rise above the mass of lemmings submitting on LinkedIn when 100 have already applied before you.
• Human Connectibility has you able to reach through cyber zaps to have people actually get to know you vs bots simply scrolling you.
• Human Connectibility has you pierce into hidden circles of publicly unknown leadership opportunities vs being relegated to Big Brother public lists of open positions clawed at by throngs of job seekers
• Human Connectibility  creates bonds with folks whom YOU proactively choose to bring into your career consciousness (and you into theirs) vs being on the reactive side of simply hoping to hear from somebody, anybody you’ve applied to.
• Human Connectibility ensures your value as irreplaceble while so many other less skilled professionals fall into AI obsolesence

The old saying, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” applies here.

You can kvetch all you want about the AI/automation annexation of your career life, OR you can become a dedicated student of Human Connectibility which, once mastered, becomes a skill machines will never replace.

So, your AI (Aspiration Intelligence) enhanced mission, should you choose to accept it, is to begin learning the career skill of Human Connectibility to ensure your own life, liberty and pursuit of happy career.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

P.S. Want to explore how Human Connectibility shapes a passionate and purposeful career? Attend the upcoming CareerGuy Passion & Purpose Breakout!

“As more and more artificial intelligence is entering into the world, more and more emotional intelligence must enter into leadership.” – Amit Ray

 

August 28, 2024 – JOLT – Fall (don’t stumble or meander) Into Your Career Value

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“The best gift you can give yourself is the gift of possibility.” – Paul Newman

The Fall Theme: Have them Falling For You and All Over You

Landing your next dream job role is most fun when you don’t have to “land” anything at all, right?

Way more fun to have it fall in your lap.

“But,” you say, “how do I get the world of work to fall in line with that scenario? How do I become the leader organizations will fall head over heels for?”

First, you have to awaken from the spell you’ve fallen under that your career is something to think about only intermittently, only when you’ve either fallen out of grace or love with your current role, or you’re the fall guy/gal for the company when things are in free fall.

That’s what I call circumstantial career management, and it has you fall short of your potential, again and again.

You don’t manage your health or your relationship with your spouse that way do you? (If the answer is yes, I recommend you make some wholesale changes across the board.)

Healthy career management efforts are like regular gym visits or date nights: if they fall off the radar, you’re surely in for a fall.

Don’t ever fall asleep at the wheel thinking that you’re simply an “employee” of someone/something outside of yourself.

No, you own your own “business” and always have. You simply lease out your employable assets.

So, you want those assets always well defined and your availability for the right opportunities well known.

You won’t fall for every opportunity that comes knocking, and for sure you don’t want to appear needy. (Neediness weakens your value.)

But even happy as a lark in what you’re now doing, the movie “Indecent Proposal” proved that we all have a price.

And you can only fall into the sights of those with indecent proposals when you refuse to fall out of touch with those who’d be in a position to make you those “offers you can’t refuse.”

The point is: you have to be out there, getting known, being known, and knowing those you’d be smart to know so that you fall into the line of hire when special, unknown and hidden sweetheart opportunities are to be offered to someone. Why not you?

1. Fall into line in who you are.

2. Strategically fall into the mind of others on a regular and ongoing basis.

And you’ll find yourself being chased, because “relationships” is where everything falls into place.

So, your AI (Aspiration Intelligence) enhanced mission this fall, should you choose to accept it, is to fall in love enough with your dreams and aspirations that you make sure the world knows where your unique value chips fall. . .and they want them.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

P.S. Want some deeper insight into pointing your career more towards your dreams? Attend the upcoming CareerGuy Passion & Purpose Breakout!

“Holding knowledge makes you influential. When you have the answers, you gain reputation. Knowing the best ways to do something attracts the attention of pretty much everyone. In this sense, knowledge becomes authority because those who possess it provide a greater value than those who don’t.” – Tettra

 

May 1, 2024 – JOLT – Summer Career Myth Busting

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“People destined to meet will do so, apparently by chance at precisely the right moment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Busting the Slow Summer Career Transitions Myth

If you manage your worklife like everyone else, summer is a bad time to think about career expansion. But who ever got anything or anywhere special by doing things like everyone else?

The traditional, front-door career transition mindset (e.g., looking for openings, applying for jobs) has lots of professionals poo-poo the holidays or summertime as inconsequential for one’s career.

Most figure that those times are bad for gaining the attention or championing of others because, hey, everyone’s in their slow-down time. The last thing you want to do is bother people in their time off, right?

What too few professionals realize is that you can make a much better and lasting impression when you connect with folks outside of the traditional front-door approaches and calendar periods.

Consider this: you never know who is sitting right beside you sunning on the beach in their swimsuit; or who’s in front of you in line at the theme park; or who’s doing a crossword puzzle in the seat beside you at the terminal gate.

In my book, Never Apply for a Job Again: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest, I point out several rules that we want to break to free us up for connecting with others.

Two of those rules are “Don’t speak until spoken to” and “Don’t bother people.” These are just a couple of the many ingrained, subconscious rules we live by that keep us in our own private Idaho.

Am I saying that becoming a Chatty Cathy with everyone all summer long will land you in a dream job? Not necessarily. But, as I say in the book:

“Just keep in mind that when we’re out pointedly finding ways to interact with others, we discover resources, knowledge, and information that moves everyone forward. Plus, we have an opportunity to be continually amazed at the profound truth of the simple statement: ‘It’s a small world after all.'”

That goes for career AND life.

You definitely don’t want to become a walking megaphone for wanting to make a career change, just like you wouldn’t want to be overtly broadcasting that you are looking for a mate.

As I described last month, any form of neediness works in career transition the same way it does in the dating world: not good.

But connecting, interacting with and discovering the lives of those around you can bring unexpected, unforeseen and inexplicable benefits.

A question to ponder this summer: What if you’re only 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon* away from the most unimaginable career redirection in your life. . .if you only play the game and connect?

So, your AI (Aspiration Intelligence) enhanced mission, should you choose to accept it, is to play this summer for bringing home the Bacon in terms of career- and life-enhancing connections by simply tapping into the world around you.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

*The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game is based upon the concept of six degrees of separation. This concept states that any two people on earth can be linked together through six or less acquaintances. For the Kevin Bacon game, the challenge is to find the shortest path possible between Kevin Bacon and another actor.

“Sometimes the greatest adventure is simply a conversation.” – Amadeus Wolfe

March 20, 2024 – JOLT – One Daily Habit for an Ocean of Possibilities

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” – John C. Maxwell

How will you touch the ocean?

Recently, I was “sharing” (spiritual euphemism for complaining) with a friend that I have so many plates spinning and projects projecting that I don’t get up from my desk much of the day.

I continued to share how unfortunate that is because the expansive beach can be seen right from my office window in all of its sandy blue glory.

Hey, it’s great to have many things, big and small, to put my attention on, yet this whole “quality of life” bird is always chirping on my shoulder that it wants to be fed.

Balance!

All the difference making in the world vs. Basic enjoyment of daily life

Balance!

All the money in the world vs. Happy, joyous and free creativity

Balance!

Getting shit done vs. Having fun!

I know it’s not a personal dilemma. And yet these are questions only I can answer very personally from my own unique speck of identifiable sand along the beachfront of humanity.

My friend suggested, “Why don’t you simply make a habit of touching the ocean every day?”

Can you identify with that as one of those quick quips of seeming little importance that we throw out to each other as humans? At first I did, and laughed it off.

But then I rethought: “Hey, without any extensive navel pondering or deep existential or ontological surgery on myself, what if I simply did that??”

The simple act of doing that on a daily basis would likely begin to shift the entire underlying values system I’m currently under the administration of!

I’ve heard that we can’t THINK ourselves into right ACTING, but we can ACT ourselves into right THINKING.

So, guess what I’m up to these days. . .for at least the 10 minutes it takes to cross the street, walk down the steps and stroll 40 yards of sand to the water?

What’s your version of touching the ocean?

Your AI (Aspiration Intelligence) enhanced mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find your own way to touch the ocean of your happy, joyous and free existence on a daily basis.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

“Depending on what they are, our habits will either make us or break us. We become what we repeatedly do.” – Sean Covey

March 20, 2024 – JOLT – Top Notch Dating Advice. . .From Your CareerGuy

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“When a person goes into a relationship emotionally needy, they are not going to have discernment in choosing people.” – Jennifer O’Neill

Job Dating

I’ve used the metaphor for years that job search is like dating, and that neediness and desperation works well in neither.

Yet knowing and doing are two different things!

As soon as it’s time for a career shift — in most cases never proactively planned but, rather, a knee-jerk reaction to some outside event (layoff, merger, etc) — the primal tendency is to begin wearing lack, need and even worthiness issues on our shirt sleeves.

Like the dating quote above says, you don’t choose the best people when in a needy state. You also don’t choose the best organizations or roles when you’re desperate for a job.

“But, Darrell, what if I really DO need a job, and right now?”

My advice is that the best way to get a job is to not be looking for one!

“But, Darrell, what if I really DO need a job, and right now? How do I not look for one?”

Hello???? My advice isn’t going to change!

So, you’re either going to find a way to manage your mind and disposition so as to NOT show up as a desperate and needy job seeker or you’ll just go the standard and well-worn path of bad dating: usually ending in lower self-esteem, decreased joy and even heartache.

“But Darrell, what if I really DO need a job, and right now? How do I manage my mind?”

Good question! You’ve now gotten to the core of it!

The answer is simple and can be easily learned: focus on Research and Human Connection.

When you are truly out for Research, you avoid the traps of neediness while building the best skill one can have these days: the skill of Human Connection.

1. When you’re not needy, you’ll meet more people because people avoid situations where someone may need what they can’t give.

2. When you’re researching to gain info around things that truly fascinate you, you’re imbued with an infectious and energizing energy.

3. When you tap into humans for the sake of being human together (vs. “corporate” or “formally professional”), you build relationship equity that can pay off for both you and them for years to come.

So, your AI (Aspiration Intelligence) enhanced mission, should you choose to accept it, is to develop your mastery of Human Connection for the ROI it will have on your career.

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

“I don’t think it’s necessarily healthy to go into relationships as a needy person. Better to go in with a full deck.” – Anjelica Huston

Feb 7, 2024 – JOLT – Suggestion vs Resolution – A 2024 Restart

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

An Ounce of Suggestion is Worth a Pound of Resolution

1. Create “stop-doing” lists and begin subtracting items from, rather than adding items to, my never-ending growth aspirations. I can find at least a few things to drop that no longer serve me.

2. Create three-person book or listening groups. I actually did this a couple of years ago when The Back Forty first came out: only 3 people. I agree that there’s an intimacy available with a small group that can get dropped when groups becomes less personal and accountable. If you’d like to hear about the reading group coming this spring that will dive into the now award-winning The Back Forty book, let me know.

3. Take a digital sabbath each week. This one will require a LOT of mindfulness on my part! But, then again, that’s the point.

4. Stop asking “What if?” and instead ask “What now?” This is so aligned with the message of The Back Forty that I wish I had coined that phrase! My own growth continues to be in dropping the woulda/coulda/shouldas that still emerge in a past-addicted mind and focusing on what I can experiment with now!

5. Live the 80/20 rule in pursuit of my goals, which is what inspired my message above. Slow and steady support of my goals by consistent and extended daily suggestions rather than only immediate and intense drive will have me grow beyond the hot and passionate moment of “resolution.”