Carrie-Ann Lukas-Brady, SHRM-SCP’s Post

“The number one regret people shared on their deathbeds was not having had the courage to live a life true to themselves, instead of living according to others’ expectations.” I remember coming across this profound insight from palliative nurse Bronnie Ware, who spent years listening to the regrets of those nearing the end of life. Imagine that, looking back and realizing you held back when it mattered most. Staying silent doesn’t just affect your present; it shapes how you reflect on your entire journey. In our careers, silence comes at a real cost. Here’s what staying quiet could mean: 🏆 RECOGNITION: Without highlighting your work, others might overlook your efforts and the impact you're making. 🌱 OPPORTUNITIES: Self-advocacy opens doors. Staying silent? You might miss out on projects and roles that align with your goals. 💡 CREDIBILITY: Sharing your insights regularly builds your reputation as a trusted expert. 🤝 RELATIONSHIPS: Silence can keep you from building connections with mentors and leaders who could support your growth. 📈 WORK-LIFE BALANCE: Without setting boundaries, you risk being overwhelmed by tasks others could help manage. 🌟 REPUTATION: If others don’t see your achievements, they might underestimate your dedication or competence. 🤲 RESPECT AND FAIRNESS: Speaking up reminds others of the value of your skills, setting a standard for how you deserve to be treated. 💪 CONFIDENCE: Staying silent often leads to feeling undervalued, affecting your confidence and motivation. 🔄 GROWTH: Sharing your ideas opens you to valuable feedback that fosters improvement. 🛠️ PRODUCTIVITY: When you don’t speak up, you may miss out on the resources and support you need to perform at your best. 💖 FULFILLMENT: Silence can leave you feeling disconnected from your work, as if you're simply “going through the motions.” “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou But it doesn’t have to be this way. Self-advocacy is a skill anyone can learn, and it can transform how others see your contributions , and, most importantly, how you see yourself. 📢 Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing tips to help you take those first steps toward being heard. Because you deserve to be seen and valued. Stay tuned! #quietconfidence #womenpower #womenwholead #introvertpower #quietleadership #introvertedleader #powerofintroverts #diversevoices #empatheticleaders #breakingbarriers #embracediversity

Many of us have a hard time saying “no” when asked to do something or help someone. We don’t want to disappoint our colleagues, friends or family. In this short article, the author suggests rather than focusing on the “no”, think about what is most important to you, focus on the “yes” of what you are committed to instead of the “no” of what you are not. It might shift your emotions around that conversation and make it easier to say ‘no.’ And, if you aren’t sure what your top 5 values are, learn what they are here: https://lnkd.in/gqPMGgAw #boundariesarehealthy #leadershipexcellence #values

"Your Energy & Enthusiasm Is A Distraction" 🌩 We've all experienced comments that stick in our minds. It's often the downright rude 🤬 ones that stick out though eh! Some years back, I was told within a year end performance review that I'd smashed all of my targets, I'd honestly above and beyond in spaces I'd never played before and then it the bomb 💣 dropped.... ...however "Your Energy and Enthusiasm Is A Distraction" I'm mean....what do you do with that? I was reminded of this insult as I've been working with various clients this summer and having just passed the mid-year review season I've been exploring the impact such comments can have to help give clarity as to how they navigate their next moves. In all honesty, I was stuck in a self-esteem dip for quite a while post this comment (with no tangible evidence to back this up by the way). Wondering what was "wrong" with me. I have ADHD, absolutely I am high energy, have bags of enthusiasm, deliver deliver deliver (with bells on), talk and build/maintain relationships at any level no matter what the strategic outcome we're going after etc. I am also human, with feelings - infact I feel sooo deeply it feels like physical pain at times. This however does not mean I am beyond constructive criticism - infact I welcome it. Any-hoo...I changed career direction to a space that welcomed all of me and the rest is history - but I share as I'm keen to give balance. We can get caught up in sharing "the good stuff", when we do also experience "the shiz stuff". Let's keep it real 😉 💯 If you resonate, feel stuck or simply want to chat and connect - DM me you're not alone #Coaching #Inclusivity #HRConsultancy

Happy Worker’s Day! 🎉 Today, I reflect on my decade-long journey in HR, filled with beautiful, painful, rewarding, and unique experiences. It’s easy to forget that those of us in HR are workers too, caring for others but also carving our own paths. Early in my career, I faced one of my biggest challenges when I was appointed as an HR Director. I had never held an executive position before, I was pregnant, and many saw me as too young—practically a child in their eyes. Doubts crept in, people expected me to fail, and I grappled with feelings of being an imposter. “Am I truly cut out for this? Do I have the necessary skills? Do I even belong here?” were questions I frequently asked myself. However, with several mentoring sessions from my life coach, unwavering support from my husband, and a commitment to upskill and understand myself better, I navigated through those doubts. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me a valuable lesson about overcoming imposter syndrome. If you’re feeling unsure, like an imposter in your role, start by identifying the areas where you feel less confident. Address these feelings head-on, but remember, the key battle is with your mindset. You weren’t put in your position by mistake. You may feel unprepared, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be there. So, on this Worker’s Day, let’s commit to owning our futures and embracing the change. You belong, and you are capable. Own it!

Overcoming self-doubt is the key to unlocking your true potential. Check out this insightful blog to discover strategies for reaching new heights in your career. 💪

I started working with a new client recently who is unhappy in her role, she is also undervalued despite being dedicated and working above her pay grade. She hasn’t had an appraisal in over a year and the only conversations she has with her “manager” leave her feeling stressed and demotivated. I’d like to say this is a rare occurrence but unfortunately she’s not the first client to feel this way. For anyone who needs to hear it here’s what I told her this week… YOU are in control of your career. You get to choose where you work, who you surround yourself with and what your future looks like. Building your confidence will take practice, it will require you to step out of your comfort zone but if you take baby steps it doesn’t need to be scary, empowerment can happen at your own pace. You get one life, and this is it… don’t stay stuck, stay open to possibilities 🤩 #empowerment #careerconverstaions #coaching #selfdevelopment

Self-doubt can hold us back from reaching our full potential. It's time to break free from limiting beliefs and unlock our true capabilities. Check out the blog for strategies to overcome self-doubt and step into your power. 🌟

A while ago, during a conversation with a friend, I heard these words: "Are you really working hard? You can say you're working hard, but if you are, the results will show. It's through results that we can know." 🤨 It might have been said in jest, but in that moment, those words struck a deep chord within me. It wasn’t because I was offended. In fact, those words felt like a warning to myself. Not long ago, I used to say the same things to people at work who weren't achieving results. "Why aren't you getting results despite working hard? In the end, it’s the numbers and performance that prove it." Reflecting on that, I realized that those words I so casually spoke were actually a call for self-reflection—challenging how seriously I was really putting my own efforts into practice. In that moment, I began to truly reflect on what really matters. I realized that simply working hard isn’t enough. What’s truly important is how that passion and effort translate into tangible results, and the depth of that process. As I came to this realization, I suddenly felt a flush of embarrassment. Humility is such a difficult thing. I strive to remain humble, but at times, my ego pushes through, leading me to act arrogantly and with self-importance, something I can no longer ignore. Today, I am reminded once again to live with humility. Everyone makes mistakes and learns from them. 😵 But when those mistakes make us reflect and grow, only then does the process become truly valuable. Humility is not just about lowering others; it’s about letting go of the arrogance within myself and sincerely reflecting on who I am in every moment. 🤞 #howconsulting #Recruting #HR #CareerCoaching #NY #TX #Austin #USA #ForkyPhilosophy #자기반성

With research showing that the "Great Gloom" (workers feeling resigned to being stressed, burned out, and unhappy at work and unable to leave or make meaningful change) has replaced the "Great Resignation," rebuilding joy at work should be an urgent priority for all of us who care about our own and others' well-being. Dr Rebecca Newton shares research-based practices that can help us move beyond burnout or languishing to rebuild joy at work: ✅ Intentionally build your strengths into your day. ✅ Focus on your professional growth. ✅ Check in with a trusted colleague and cultivate an environment that make authenticity psychologically safe. ✅ (Re)build relationships through work. Joy is not just individual but affiliative (increased through our bonds with others). Prioritize meaningful connections and conversations. What practices are you experimenting with (or have already found success with) that help you rediscover your own joy at work? #WellBeingAtWork #WellBeingMatters #JoyAtWork #BurnoutRecovery #BurnoutPrevention -- As always, my thoughts and views are my own and do not represent those of my current employer.

🌷𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆🌷 As I begin to immerse myself in the vibrant colors and renewed energy of Spring, I can't help but draw parallels between nature's transformations and the current season of my own professional and parenting journey. In this moment, I find myself navigating through the valleys of uncertainty and exhaustion. The prolonged job search, all while balancing the responsibilities of leadership (because it starts at home) and parenting. As a caring woman, a leader, and a parent, I understand firsthand the emotional toll it can take, juggling multiple roles and aspirations. However, just as nature persists in its cycles of growth and renewal, I am reminded of the resilience within each of us. It's during these challenging times that our strength and character are truly tested and refined, not only as leaders but also as parents. If you, like me, are in the moment of navigating change through this unexpected valley in life, while also parenting. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 🪻𝑰 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 of picking ourselves back up, not just for our professional goals but also for the little ones who look up to us as role models. 🪻𝑳𝒆𝒕'𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 to model resilience and perseverance for our children, showing them that setbacks are temporary and that with determination and resilience, we can overcome any obstacle. 🪻𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 to reassess your goals, lean on your support network, and embrace new strategies with an open heart and mind. 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓, 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍; 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅, 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. Together, let's navigate this season of change with grace, resilience, and a steadfast belief in the brighter days that lie ahead. 🌷 #ParentingLeadership #ResilienceJourney #EmbracingChange #StayStrong