Shelby Olson’s Post

We describe ourselves by our titles and roles. I think that’s a big mistake. They can change in heartbeat. Layoffs are unfortunately the most recent and urgent example. They can give us a false sense of confidence. Reorgs can often change titles from something like ‘vice president’ to ‘director’. Does one or the other affect how you’d feel about yourself even if you’d be doing the same work? They can hold us back when we just want to break free. Everyone knows you as a marketing director. What will they think about your pivot to being a park ranger? We are more than our roles. We are more than our skills. So then, who are we? How do we introduce ourselves? What if we got REALLY clear about our character? About our strengths and talents? Our principles? How would you describe yourself to someone in a few short sentences without relying on your role, work or title? Give it a go in the comments! PS: If you’re looking to shed your current role but aren’t sure how, join me in my workshop “How to leverage your experience for what’s next”. Price goes up after today! Send a DM for details. #career #jobhunt #careerdevelopment

The Last Man Standing: Persevering Through Tough Times As Willie Nelson's famous song goes, "I don't want to be the last man standing, ahead of my companions gone." The recent layoffs have left me feeling like the "last man standing" at the company, a difficult and isolating position no one wants to be in. While this situation is challenging and the lyrics ring true, it's important to remind ourselves that tough times don't last forever. We must persevere, adapt, and find ways to move forward productively, just as Willie continues singing after losing his friends. Here are a few thoughts on navigating this transition as the "last man standing": Stay focused on your work and give your best effort, even when morale is low. Your contributions are more crucial than ever. Seek out new responsibilities or projects that can expand your skills and make you more valuable, ensuring you don't get "left behind." Support your former colleagues who are dealing with losing their jobs. A little empathy can go a long way during this somber march. Take care of your mental and physical well-being. Stress can take a heavy toll, so make self-care a priority as you carry the weight. Remain hopeful and open to new opportunities, whether within the company or elsewhere. Change can lead to growth and new companions. While being the "last man standing" is not an easy position, it's a chance to demonstrate resilience, adaptability and a commitment to excellence, just as Willie Nelson has done throughout his legendary career. By staying positive and proactive, we can navigate this challenge and emerge stronger on the other side, ready to rejoin the ranks. How have you coped with being the "last man standing" after layoffs? Share your experiences and strategies to keep marching forward. #layoffs #careertransition #resilience #professionaldevelopment #selfcare #willienegson #lastmanstanding

Change your algorithm. Don't tell Darcy, my trusted old Highlander, but I love the new Ford Broncos. I notice them everywhere. I point them out to my family as we drive down the highway. I discuss what I like and don't like about each body style or color combo. The truth is, I will not ever actually buy one, but my brain notices them at a higher frequency because we notice what we are looking for. The same is true on social media. LinkedIn had become a stressful place for me. All the posts I was seeing were about layoffs, rejection and disappointment. I love connecting and learning from each other, but sometimes it felt like all I was seeing was the negative. So, I started looking for the good. I started sharing, commenting and celebrating others accomplishments. I am noticing so much more good news lately. It doesn't mean that the job market is changing. It doesn't mean that there are not still a significant amount of amazing workers looking for their next opportunity. And sadly, I am sure we will hear of more rounds of layoffs around the country. But, there is also some really good things happening. People are finding jobs after months of searching. Employers are growing and exceeding their goals. People are helping each other and connecting and inspiring others along the way. You will notice more of whatever you are looking for. If you don't want to notice Broncos anymore, maybe go take a ride and see what else there is out there, and I highly recommend the Highlanders.

Happy New Year 🥳🤩 2023 was a roller coaster for lot of us... 😔 Starting with the layoffs scare... I took my first international trip which was immediately followed by layoffs announcement when I was at the airport to return. 😣 I lost someone close to me... I gained stress weight after my father's passing way. I again started gaining weight due to anxiety. This time I gained 7kg. 😪 A lot of things didn't happen as I planned them to be. And the lesson learnt is it will never be so. You need to be ready to accept the harshest possible reality whenever you face it. 💪🏼 What were the silver linings? I traveled a lot. 🛫 I changed my team and started working on impactful things at work. 😍 I started taking my health seriously and at this moment, I have already shed 5kg of the gained weight and promised myself to shed 5kg more. 🏃🏼♂️ From content creation point of view, I started creating content that I like to share, not what usually gets more likes and reach. 😇 This year, my primary focus will be on family, health, friends, work. Workwise, I will try to step more out of my comfort zone. 😤 Some goals are better not shared at this point. 😉 Best wishes to everyone for another year of learnings and growth. 🌱

❤️ Leading with Heart and Clarity: Navigating the Layoff Landscape In the wake of significant layoffs at Sports Illustrated and Wayfair, we're reminded of the deep impact such changes have on people's lives. It's a time that calls for leaders to step up with empathy and transparency. Here's a quick guide to navigating these challenging times: ✅ Communicate Clearly: Be open about what's happening and why. Honest communication is the foundation of trust. ✅ Understand Individual Impacts: Help each team member understand what this change means for them personally. Clarity is a form of care. ✅ Provide Actionable Guidance: Lay out clear, achievable next steps. People need direction during times of uncertainty. And equally important, remember: ⏱️Don't Rush: Healing takes time. ❌Don't Over-Promise: Set realistic expectations. 😁Don't Neglect Morale: Actively work to rebuild team spirit. As a clinical psychologist who left academic medicine for business and performance coaching with Limitless Minds, I've seen the power of leading with both head and heart. Let's share our experiences and strategies. How do you lead through layoffs and organizational changes? #Leadership #ChangeManagement #EmpathyInLeadership #Clarity #Layoffs #Mindset #Morale #MindsetTraining #sportsillustrated #wayfair #corporate

Me: “I was laid off.” My wife: “Uhhh, whaaaa!?” Our pug Taco Supreme: “wow. much confused. hm.” Me: “Don’t worry, I have a plan, I think.” This is the first time layoffs have impacted me, and I know that’s a privilege for me to say, especially given the job market the last few years. If you know me or we’ve worked together, you’ve seen me buy into every company I join. I drink the Kool-Aid, give it my all, go beyond the JD, and stay positive when headwinds arise. My time at Flock Freight wasn’t any different. Freight and logistics is a complex and challenging industry to market in, especially during one of the worst freight recessions in history. But our team achieved incredible things, including a significant rebrand, multiple world-renowned creative awards (including a Cannes Lion, Webby, and more), implemented new GTM and social strategies, and connected with truck drivers on a deeper level than ever before. But ultimately, we gave Flock's patented tech the attention and thoughtfulness it needed and, truthfully, it deserved. With all that said, I’m a free agent. I’d love to connect or reconnect with you and chat about brand marketing, social media, creator economy, partnerships, or my side project in the bowling industry. 🚨 If you'd like to help me and others, all you have to do is COMMENT on this post to increase visibility. 👇 Talented marketers who were also impacted: Andrew Teague → VP, Brand & Creative Lin Leung → Sr. Director, Product Marketing Ron Holden Jr → Director, Brand Marketing Cole Johnston → Lead Video Producer  Daniel Wells → Lead Designer  Irene Claire P. → Sr. Project Manager 🤔 Know someone I should chat with? I’m open to any and all new connections. 🦄 Here are a few of my superpowers:  → identifying the untapped potential for brands in any industry  → creating engaged online communities → building bridges cross-functionally and externally → being an energy-maker and boundary-breaker who thrives amongst the chaos and the calm → leveraging tech for insights and faster, more creative strategies (how do you say "AI" without saying "AI") Thanks for taking the time to read, comment, and connect 🙏 #opentowork

A couple of weeks ago (feels like a lifetime now) I was affected by a sweeping round of layoffs at Trimble. ‘Not good’ one would think, and yet right now I am probably the happiest I’ve been for a long time. I’m looking forward to - and frankly excited about - what comes next. Sure, I went through a raft of emotions, but I wasn’t laid off for performance issues, or for any other bad reason - I was just caught in the cross-fire. It’s all good and here’s why… First, it’s not often we get a chance to really consider what it is we want to do - most of us are caught up in busy schedules and hectic lives just making it through the day without the time to sit back and reflect. We’re too busy, too comfortable, too lazy or we simply don’t recognize we can or need to change anything. So, for me at least, this represents a rare opportunity to take a step back and consider what it is I want to do, where, with who and under what circumstances. More on that in a minute. The other piece is the human element. It’s at times like this you really find out just how many people have got your back. I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have reached out with kind words, or offered to help me find my next role. Overwhelmed. We touch hundreds of people in our work and personal lives and often don’t comprehend just how much we affect, influence or even change their lives. We don’t get time to ponder our daily interactions. I am here to tell you we should. The messages, the words of support and the compliments I have received have made me realize the shadow I have cast - often in places I didn’t even know possible. Thanks to all - it’s humbling and inspirational. As I think about my next steps, the most common question I’ve been asked is some variation of ‘what do you want to do next?’. At first it stumps me completely. I’ve done so much and can do so much: I can run a business, open a new market, drive operations, lead customer success, sales or product teams, develop and execute transformative business strategy etc etc… Essentially, give me something to fix, improve or grow and I’ll get it done. But then when I think about the question a bit more, the answer is simple. My focus will always be on people and on customer value. Get those right, we win every time. And so, it’s not about the function I will perform, the project we need to deliver or the role itself. It’s about the company, the mission we’re on, the culture and atmosphere we work in. I want to help drive a great company to the next level by doing meaningful work that impacts people in a positive way. Oh, and I want to enjoy the ride while we do it. As I said at the top, I’m excited about what’s next and while I work to find out what that is, I’m going to enjoy this ride too!

So, here's the thing – layoffs hit hard. Kinda like what happens to our favorite team finding their way to the playoffs only to just as quickly be thrown into the offseason unexpectedly. It stings, and you have to sit in that for a bit, eventually finding a way to pull yourself up and get back to work. But championship rings aren't just handed out; they're built with hard work and grit in the offseason. Being in the thick of my very own layoff era, it’s a daily challenge navigating the unexpected twist in my career. It's tough, no doubt. But, you know what? I believe it’s an opportunity to invest in personal development, immerse myself in learning as much as I can, and be prepared for what's next. I won't sugarcoat it; it's a vulnerable space to be in. But tension is required for growth, right? I am thinking of this time as my personal offseason, exploring and educating myself about new strategies and tools, trying to figure out what clicks and what doesn't. In the spirit of building championship habits, I've been delving into Atomic Habits by James Clear, understanding the power of small changes for remarkable results. It's incredible how these habits can reshape our professional trajectory, helping us score big wins even in challenging times. I'd love to tap into your collective wisdom! How have you successfully navigated layoffs and discovered new opportunities? How did you make the most of your offseason? Additionally, I've noticed some companies are hesitant to invest in marketing during these uncertain times. If you can’t tie it to revenue, how can it be justified in a down market? I believe a good and effective marketing strategy leads to increased sales, brand awareness, and customer loyalty. Any fellow marketers feeling the squeeze? Are there any companies investing in and exploring new marketing tactics within the title space? I would love it if you would share your thoughts! #atomichabits #marketinggrowth #jobhunting

The week of American Thanksgiving is often a peak time for layoffs. It happened to me too - 3 years ago I was told my role was being restructured. Effectively it was a constructive dismissal. Best thing I did in the month before I was told about the restructuring? My performance review. This week, I’ll tell you how to use a performance review strategically. It’s a legal document with a lot of negotiating power that people overlook. #PerformanceReviews

#Worklife: Good morning! The teams are set, the playoffs will soon begin. “Go after what you want not what you know you can easily have.” Emma Xu, a Forbes 30 under 30. A PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering. Years ago I worked for a business owner, who for many years set outrageously high sales targets. So high that his team, myself included, believed they were not reachable in any way. He proved us wrong EVERY year. We hit those targets and more. We hit those targets because we pushed, clawed and worked harder because not only were the goals far too high and achievement meant pushing like never before, but too, because they became a challenge to each of the members of the team. We hit those numbers year after year. In time, this boss changed a product category for an entire industry. It was a great lesson. It still is. On day 8 of this new year, it is possible to write stretch goals. Goals so outrageous that even you begin to laugh. In the end, how do we know what’s possible unless we reach to new places, unless we write down goals so out of line with our “normal” plans that we dare not show them to anyone. Forget what’s doable. Why not think hard about what’s possible…..or impossible, and really try. The boss with those crazy (we thought he was) goals taught us what was possible if……..if we stretched our efforts. We did. Thank you. (my opinions only.) #crazy, #stretch, #goals, #achieve.