Crafting A Career Vision

Deborah Liu was a long-time VP at Facebook where she built and launched multiple billion-dollar businesses, including Facebook Marketplace. Prior to Facebook, she was a Director at PayPal and eBay. She now serves on the board of Intuit and, for the past 3.5 years, has led Ancestry as CEO. In our conversation, we discuss: 🔸 Why you should PM your career like you PM your product 🔸 Advice for succeeding as an introvert 🔸 Strategies for incubating new products within large companies 🔸 Creating a successful 30-60-90-day plan 🔸 The pitfalls of perfectionism 🔸 The value of resilience and turning failures into stepping stones 🔸 How to leverage coaching in your career development 🔸 Much more Listen now 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gvpRD46V - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gqEQUcKQ - Apple: https://lnkd.in/gmNhk9f2 Some key takeaways: 1. Treat your career like a product roadmap. Start by defining your long-term career goals and envision where you want to be in 5 or 10 years. Break these goals down into smaller, actionable milestones, similar to setting quarterly objectives for a product. Develop a career plan that includes key skills to acquire, roles to target, and metrics for success. Regularly review and adjust this plan based on your progress and any new opportunities or changes in your industry. 2. Introverts need to learn to speak up. Whether you like it or not, the business world favors extraversion. So if you don’t share your opinions and market your wins, you’ll limit your career progression. If you’re a leader, focus on creating an inclusive environment where your entire team has an opportunity to speak up, not just those who are naturally confident in group settings. 3. If the idea of self-promotion makes you feel uncomfortable, consider changing your perspective on what this process achieves. Think about it as a way of advocating for your team’s needs and resources, or sharing important metrics you’ve all achieved. When we shift the focus from “This is about me” to “This helps everyone,” the value of self-promotion becomes far clearer—and much more palatable. 4. When starting a new role, create a structured 30-60-90-day plan: a. 30 days (listening and learning): Meet with as many team members and stakeholders as possible (aim for 50 to 60 people) to understand their perspectives, challenges, and wish lists. b. 60 days (aligning and planning): Based on your learnings, identify one or two areas where you can make a tangible impact in the short term. Develop a plan to address these areas and present it to your team. c. 90 days (execution and impact): Begin implementing the plans and changes that have been agreed upon. Focus on delivering quick wins to build credibility and demonstrate value. At the end of the 90 days, review your achievements and the feedback received.

Making progress on long-term goals isn’t about having every step mapped out in advance. The truth is, most of us can’t see that far ahead anyway. Instead, it’s about creating a framework that helps you keep moving forward, learning, and adjusting along the way. Get clear on what you don’t want. It’s easy to feel pressure to have a perfect, inspiring vision of your future. But sometimes the best first step is simply knowing what you want to avoid—a toxic boss, an industry that drains you, or a lifestyle that doesn’t align with your values. Each "no” clears the path and helps you move closer to a more authentic “yes.” Test provisional paths and gather data. You don’t need to make lifelong decisions today. Instead, think of your choices as experiments. Try a direction, collect feedback from your experiences, and ask yourself what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d do differently. Each experiment gives you data that makes the next step smarter and more strategic. Build core skills that serve you anywhere. Specific technical expertise may come and go, but foundational skills endure. The ability to communicate clearly, manage your time, write persuasively, or lead effectively will make you stronger no matter where your career takes you. Think of these as your portable assets that you’ll carry into every future opportunity. Manage your energy so you can sustain momentum. There will be seasons where you’re ready to push hard, and others when rest and recovery are the most strategic choice. By recognizing your natural cycles and giving yourself permission to adjust, you’ll avoid burnout and stay in the game for the long haul. I captured these ideas in a playful, Shel Silverstein–style poem to remind us that success comes from steady and intentional progress, rather than waiting until everything is certain. If you’d like more tools to stay focused on your long-term goals, take my free Long Game self-assessment here: https://lnkd.in/ehARJAai

I’ve coached thousands of job seekers who felt lost and overwhelmed. Here are the 10 steps we start with to find the right path: 1. Your #1 Priority Clarity should be the first thing you invest in. It makes career success SO much easier (at every stage). When you have clarity, you can invest 100% of your energy into that goal. So before you start applying to jobs or grad school? Find your path. 2. The Myth Of “Passion” People think passion is a lightning bolt that suddenly hits you. One day you wake up knowing what you're supposed to do. That's BS. Passion stems from action. It's the result of trying new things. If you want to find your path? You need to act. 3. Map Out Your Ideal Lifestyle Career happiness doesn't come from a job title. It stems from the ability to meet your lifestyle needs: – Target salary – Ideal living situation – Surrounded by people you love – Work that fills your cup Start by defining all of these things. 4. Label Your Energy Next, grab a piece of paper. Make two columns: 1. Energy Creators 2. Energy Drainers Now list out every single activity, task, and project you've worked on. Label each as a creator or drainer. Your career path should be filled with energy creators. 5. Clarify Your Strengths Success is easier when your path plays to natural strengths. I recommend the High 5 Test. It's a 15 minute quiz that will define your top strengths. It'll tell you what each means and how to harness it. Talent: A natural way of thinking, feeling, behaving × Investment: Time spent practicing, developing your skills, or building a knowledge base = Strength: The ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance 6. Find People Doing "Cool" Stuff Now you've created clarity around your strengths, energy, and ideal lifestyle. Next, I want you to find people already living that life. Who has a job you admire? What jobs have seemed “cool” to you in the past? Make a list of 30+ contacts. 7. Reach Out & Learn Make a daily habit of reaching out to one person. Be honest about your situation and desire for clarity. Then make sure to build up their achievements and mention why you admire them. Here's the email template I used when I was on this journey: The Winning Template: Subject: Quick Question  Hi [Name], My name is [Your Name] and I came across your information on LinkedIn while I was looking for people who transitioned into [Industry/Field] from a non-traditional background. Your background is really impressive! I saw you do different fields and [Industry/Field] really piqued my interest. If you have a few minutes, I’d love to hear more about your journey and how you landed in your role today. I know that’s a big ask so no worries if it’s too much. I totally understand. Either way, hope you have a great rest of the week!  

Clear long-term plans let me “retire” as an Amazon VP at 50, travel 5 months a year, and still make money. Here’s how I did it and how you can apply the same thinking to your own life. Bill Gates once said, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year but underestimate what they can do in 10 years.” I agree. Here are four real long-term plans I’ve created: – A 5-year savings plan that let me retire – A 10-year travel plan to see the world – A 10-year business plan for impact – A 40-year health plan to stay fit through age 95 Plan 1: Retire in 5 Years As my career progressed, I started thinking about financial independence. I followed three simple financial rules throughout my life to make this a possibility: 1. Live on less than I make 2. Invest for the long term 3. Max out my 401(k) match In my 40s, I calculated how much I needed to retire and I realized I was about 5 years away. The plan stretched to 7.5 years, but I made it. Even if plans shift, having one gives you clarity and options. Plan 2: A Business Plan for Purpose Post-retirement, I built a 10-year business plan to help others find career success and satisfaction. The plan includes scaling my impact and reaching 1 million people. Like all good long-term plans, this one evolves, but the overarching vision stays constant. Plan 3: See the World I made a list of everywhere I wanted to go and started planning travel around those dreams. Galapagos. Iceland. Switzerland. This is my “active years” travel plan, and it only works because of Plan 1—financial freedom. But you don’t need to be wealthy to travel, just committed to a plan. Budget, partner with others, and get creative. Plan 4: Be Healthy at 95 This is the longest-range plan I’ve made. Inspired by Dr. Peter Attia’s concept of the “Centenarian Decathlon,” I mapped out what I want to be able to do at age 95 and then worked backward. If I want to lift a grandkid off the floor at 95, I need to be strong enough today. The details of each of these plans are in my newsletter. But before I link that, I want to give you some specific tips to create powerful long term plans: 1. Decide what area to focus on (my four plans were financial, business, travel, and health) Trying to create a single holistic life and career plan at this scale is likely too complex. Take it on in pieces. 2. Figure out where you want to be in 5, 10, or 40 years. What is the ultimate goal. 3. Work backwards from the end as well as forward from where you are. Meet in the middle. 4. Iterate. You can draft the plan all in one sitting, but these plans benefit from periodic revision. I have clarified, updated, and changed all of my plans once to twice a year. The end goals have rarely to never changed, but the next steps and priorities within the plan definitely do. 5. Be flexible. The plan exists to help you, not to constrain you. Link: https://buff.ly/03hEvz2 Readers—share your long-term plans.

You landed your first job and then what? Most professionals hit pause on goal-setting after getting hired. But that’s exactly when your real growth begins. If you don’t set a direction early, you’ll drift. So today, I’m sharing my complete career goal-setting framework. (Save this guide for future reference) 🟢 Here’s how to build that path: Step 1: Start with your current position - List your daily responsibilities - Identify your key performance metrics - Note areas where you already excel - Spot gaps or improvement areas Step 2: Create SMART goals - Specific: Define clear outcomes - Measurable: Attach success metrics - Achievable: Be realistic - Relevant: Align with your role - Time-bound: Set deadlines Step 3: Build your action plan - Break goals into quarterly targets - Set monthly check-ins - Track progress and adjust as needed - Celebrate small wins Goal examples to focus on: ✅ Short-term (3–6 months): Learn tools, join new projects ✅ Mid-term (6–12 months): Take ownership, build visibility ✅ Long-term (1–3 years): Plan promotion path, develop expertise 📌 Pro tip: Block one hour a week—call it your “career development hour”. Use it to reflect, adjust, and plan ahead. You don’t need to wait for an appraisal to think about your growth. You just need a system. What’s one career goal you’re working on right now? Drop it in the comments, I’d love to hear. #goals #students #career

𝐀 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞. 📈💼 Many mentees have asked for a framework to help them brainstorm and set career goals. Having faced this myself multiple times, I know that this exercise can be exhausting without a structured approach. Here’s a simple yet powerful framework that has worked for me consistently. 👇 Step 1: Capture your current state in detail (professional only or both professional + personal). ✍️ Step 2: Define your future aspirations without limitations—list everything that comes to mind! 🌠 Step 3: Identify the “swimlanes” that matter to you. These may vary, so be clear on what’s important for you. 🏊♂️ Step 4: Set milestones within each swim lane. For example, if “financial safety” is a swimlane, your milestones could include buying a house, creating a corpus of ₹X crore, etc. 🏠💰 Step 5: Establish timelines. Map out concentric zones with achievable milestones over time. ⏳ Step 6: Track your progress regularly. 📊 Having a mentor can be invaluable here, as they can act as a sounding board, providing guidance and helping you stay aligned with your goals. Having this mental map will significantly help you plan your career transformation. 🌟 I hope this helps! Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 💬 #CareerPlanning #GrowthMindset #CareerTransformation #GoalSetting #Mentorship #Framework

Every job is temporary. Which means you should have a career management plan. Not sure where to start? Consider these 3 strategies: 1️⃣ Get 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥 “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”   Don’t let this line from Alice in Wonderland define your career. Ask yourself... ❓ Where do I want to be next in my career? ❓ If I get laid off tomorrow, what strategies are needed to launch a search? ❓ What jobs currently exist in my target area or field? What is the best way to apply for these positions? Who is hiring? ❓ What are my strengths and abilities? Can these be summarized and supported with clear metrics and results? Use your answers to build a plan with defined goals and executable items. Revisit often and adjust according to new information, market trends, ideas, or opportunities....because, yes, things change, and you may change too. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧 Networking and referrals remain important job search tactics, so foster connections to leverage in the future. Build a solid base of connections in personal and professional communities, engaging consistently and authentically. Connect with people who can help, direct, support, or guide. Remember that people like to hire people they know and like – so set an objective to get on people’s radar for things you do well. Build your reputation – and your network – to support your career trajectory. 3️⃣ 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘 When was the last time your resume was updated? Use modern tactics to prepare a solid resume demonstrating your unique value related to your job target. And keep it refreshed. To help, create and maintain a success folder where you note ongoing career achievements and impacts. Results are essential in a resume (and during a job search!). In addition, ensure your LinkedIn profile is fully complete with current content, industry keywords, and value to help get you found by the right-fit employers and recruiters. Investment in multiple resources and activities is required to support short- and long-term career decisions and moves. Being proactive with a clear plan, strong connections, and compelling career tools will ensure you are better armed for different possibilities. #careers #careermanagement #resume #laidoff

We often hear about “career advancement,” but what about career alignment? While less talked about, it’s the real game-changer when it comes to not only landing your dream role but thriving in it long-term. Here’s the thing: most job seekers focus solely on getting hired—they submit applications, prep for interviews, and cross their fingers. But few stop to ask the most important question: Is this role truly the right fit for me? Career alignment is all about matching your skills, values, and goals with a role in a way that energizes, fulfills, and challenges you. When you’re aligned, work doesn’t feel like a constant uphill battle—it feels purposeful and rewarding. Why does this matter? When your career is in alignment, you don’t just succeed—you flourish. Burnout fades, imposter syndrome takes a back seat, and you stop feeling like you’re forcing yourself into a role that doesn’t resonate. So, how can you achieve alignment? 1️⃣ Start by understanding yourself—your strengths, passions, and what drives you. 2️⃣ Then, focus on opportunities that resonate with your vision, beyond just the paycheck. I’ve worked with countless professionals who felt stuck in misaligned roles for years. Once they discovered how to prioritize alignment, their careers transformed. If you’re feeling unsure or stuck, take a step back and ask yourself: Does my job reflect my values and long-term goals? Does it inspire me to grow? If the answer is no, it’s time to explore what alignment looks like for you. #CareerAlignment #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #JobSearchSuccess

Career happiness is a formula. It requires greater self-awareness. Before your next career move... Work out exactly what good looks like. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘆 𝟲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿:👇 (Only move to the next step when you have full clarity on the one before. Don't skip any steps.) 𝟭/ 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 & 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 ↳Define what is important (e.g family, health, security) ↳Understand motivators & drivers (e.g recognition, impact) ↳Create a career vision based on these 𝟮/ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 & 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 ↳Specify which strength/s you most enjoy using ↳Identify what your interests are ↳Know what gives energy and takes it away 𝟯/ 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 ↳Build on your strengths & interests through up-skilling ↳Build confidence and leadership ↳Be aware of your development needs and blind-spots 𝟰/ 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 ↳Define the work that utilizes your strengths and interests ↳Look at internal and external roles ↳Job-craft your own role 𝟱/ 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ↳Specify: size of company, type of culture, kind of people, hours, remote or hybrid ↳Do your due diligence before you join another business 𝟲/ 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 ↳Invest in and leverage your existing relationships ↳Build new, diverse networks for fresh perspectives ↳Create a Personal Board of Directors Greater self-awareness will allow you to build a happier, more purpose-driven career that feels authentic and is sustainable. --------- 👋 I am Deena Priest 📈I help high achievers get unstuck and create happier, more purpose-driven careers. 🔔 Follow for content on → Career Mastery & Leadership.

How Can You Create a Clear Vision for Leadership Development? Crafting a leadership development vision can feel like trying to piece together a puzzle while the image keeps shifting. But here’s the truth: A clear vision doesn’t just inspire—it sets a powerful foundation for growth. I’ve helped organizations define their leadership development strategies, and here’s what actually works: 1. Understand the Current Context ↳ Start with a leadership audit. ↳ Assess strengths, weaknesses, and skill gaps in your current team. ↳ Consider how business needs are evolving. 2. Define Core Leadership Values ↳ Anchor your vision in principles like integrity, innovation, and accountability. ↳ These values will guide decisions at every level. 3. Envision the Future Leader Profile ↳ What does your ideal leader look like? ↳ Outline key traits such as strategic thinking, decision-making, and team building. 4. Align with Organizational Goals ↳ Leadership development shouldn’t exist in isolation. ↳ Ensure it supports your company’s mission and long-term objectives. 5. Articulate a Compelling Vision Statement ↳ Create a simple, inspiring statement that captures your aspirations. ↳ Example: "Empowering innovative leaders to drive transformational change.” 6. Identify Development Pathways ↳ Offer tailored tracks for different career levels and aspirations. ↳ Include mentorship, training, and experiential learning opportunities. 7. Develop Measurable Metrics ↳ Define clear indicators like engagement scores, leadership assessments, and promotion rates. ↳ Track progress and celebrate milestones. 8. Communicate Effectively ↳ Share your vision broadly and often. ↳ Encourage feedback to build buy-in at all levels. What’s the impact in the big picture: A strong leadership development vision: • Drives impact by preparing leaders who can create lasting value. • Promotes diversity and inclusivity, valuing different perspectives. • Encourages continuous learning to stay ahead of challenges. • Inspires ownership, empowering leaders to take charge of their growth. Which part of this resonates most with your approach to leadership? Share your perspective in the comments—I’d love to hear your story. 👇 ♻️ Repost this to inspire your network. Follow Anand Bhaskar for more insights. —- 📌 Want to become the best LEADERSHIP version of yourself in the next 30 days? 🧑💻Book 1:1 Growth Strategy call with me: https://lnkd.in/gVjPzbcU #Leadership #Growth #Vision #Leader #Success