Daniel Huerta’s Post

Five years ago, I embarked on a new chapter, stepping into the role of State Manager at a Tech Recruitment company. I left a stable and lucrative position, chasing growth and new horizons. However, the experience wasn’t what I expected. The culture clashed, and the dynamics were far from what I had envisioned, culminating in a challenging five-month stint. It was a time of reflection and learning, understanding deeply what I value in workplace culture and leadership. Fast forward to now, and the contrast couldn’t be more profound. After navigating various roles—from operations to HR in diverse industries—I’ve garnered invaluable insights and resilience. These experiences shaped my approach and understanding of what businesses need, especially in the small to medium sector. Just 4 to 6 weeks ago, I took the plunge to run my own company, HumanizX, full-time. This journey has been an enlightening one, reaffirming my belief in the importance of support and guidance for businesses to thrive. Today, looking at these two photos, my smile may be subtler, but it’s rooted in genuine contentment and fulfillment. I’ve always believed in taking risks, pursuing what feels right, even when the path is uncertain. And now, standing at this juncture, I’m convinced more than ever that this is where I’m meant to be. It’s about backing yourself, championing your dreams, and making that bold move when it counts. Here’s to embracing our paths, learning from every twist and turn, and stepping into our purpose with conviction. If not now, when? If not us, who? Here’s to the journey of growth, resilience, and empowerment. 🌟 #MyJourney #EntrepreneurLife #GrowthMindset #Empowerment #HumanizX

Last week I shared the full decision making process on how I work out what clients align to FORM careers. I had spoken to a Health-Tech employer who needed to hire a Business Development Manager. Not my usual bag but there was a lot of factors that aligned them to the business. 1. Health-Tech - i've worked in partnership with some of the largest growing health-tech clients in Scotland including Phlo, Simple Online Healthcare and brought Planet DDS to Scotland 2. The company have flexibility, diversity of hiring and culture baked into their business from a really early stage. 3. They were looking to hire for ability over "specific industry experience" always a massive tick in the box when it comes to building the right culture. 4. They are a scaling startup with a really interesting product/service. 5. Glasgow based with a hybrid appraoch to team building. The list could go on and on - I asked them for 24 hours to do some research on the business development hire to ensure I was 100% confident I could find them the best person for the job. I eventually went back with a full proposal, terms and threw my hat into the ring to partner with them for the role. They came back to me today. I didnt win the business. They were already poised to partner with another agency on this position but from their feedback: "your set up and offer is quite different and it did make us pause and consider how we should proceed." They also went on to say they have significant growth plans and would be keen to come back to me to discuss working with them to build their technical teams. Am I gutted? Absolutely not. I made a new contact, I made a calculated pitch to a business hat aligned with the way I and FORM careers works and I made a new contact and potential future client. You cant win them all - but you can continue to make progress and put yourself out there. Thats a win in my books?

The best opportunities aren’t listed—they’re discovered. Companies don’t pay for roles; they pay for solutions. Shift your mindset: What problems can you solve? What value can you bring? Those who solve problems create their own demand. Stop chasing titles. Start chasing impact. #impact #solutionsminded #problemsolve #relevance #significance #results #value

Day #27 of the #IkigaiChallenge – Career Legacy: Building a Lasting Impact When I think about the legacy I want to leave in my profession, it’s not just about the work I’ve done—it’s about creating a path that empowers others and fosters sustainable growth. My goal is to be remembered as someone who brought strategic insight and expertise to projects and helped lift others along the way, guiding them toward realising their full potential. A Story of Legacy in Action One of my most meaningful projects was while consulting for Sun International, where I was tasked with unifying their workforce—including employees and service provider staff—into a single, seamless team. The goal was clear: to create a unique customer experience where every team member contributed to the resort’s vision. I developed a program called Pay4Performance, which involved training to uplift each employee, helping them understand, embody, and exceed the company’s core values. Years later, the impact of implementing the Pay4Performance system became evident. I was approached by a man in a shopping centre who recognised me. He introduced himself, and though I didn’t remember him immediately, he thanked me sincerely, saying I had changed his life. Through Pay4Performance, he’d taken to heart my belief that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. He had gone from a cleaner to a manager at a new company. Hearing how the program had empowered him to take control of his career gave me a sense of true accomplishment. Building a Legacy of Empowerment and Growth Stories like this remind me of the legacy I aim to build: one of empowerment, innovation, and value creation. Through I Need an Expert and BizConnect Club, I’m committed to creating an environment where professionals and entrepreneurs can access guidance, practical tools, and growth opportunities. Whether enhancing CVs and LinkedIn profiles, strategising for career moves, helping businesses navigate complex decisions, or compiling winning tenders, I strive to make a difference. Steps I’m Taking Toward This Legacy 1️⃣. Mentorship and Guidance—I’m dedicating time to mentoring aspiring professionals, giving them tools and insights to navigate their paths confidently. 2️⃣. Creating Strategic Resources—Through BizConnect Club, I’m developing resources that equip business owners and professionals with skills for today’s market, from proposal writing to leveraging AI. 3️⃣. Building a Community of Growth—By fostering a collaborative network, I’m ensuring that the values of growth and empowerment continue to multiply, creating a legacy that lives on through others. My vision is to leave a ripple effect that empowers others to reach their goals and contribute positively to their communities. 🔴 If this resonates, follow Vision 2024 for more insights. 🟠 Please share to inspire others to reflect on their career legacy. 🟢 Join the #IkigaiChallenge to get to know oneself. #Empowerment #Leadership #Mentorship 

Good advice, whether you're starting your career or adjusting your path. "Self-awareness is key in determining the right fit for your career. You have to honestly assess the aspects of your work that bring you joy and energy. And you need to identify your strengths and areas in which you may not excel."  #careerdevelopment

A random letter to Gen Z, Embracing High-Value Skills for a Fulfilling Future Hey Gen Z, we get it—times have changed. What worked for us may seem ancient to you. But here’s the thing: mastering high-value skills like socialpreneurship could be the key to a purpose-driven life. Why settle for just making money when you can make an impact? Socialpreneurship combines your unique talents with a mission to make the world better. It’s about creating solutions, building connections, and lifting communities—all while building a future that’s yours. So don’t just aim to ‘get by’; aim to stand out. Focus on skills that don’t just fill your bank account but fill your purpose. Because true success isn’t just in what you gain; it’s in what you give. So many other opportunities out there. 😎. Start small, dream big.

I had a Gen Z candidate today tell me "Wow, you're not at all like what I expected a CEO to be!" She meant it as a compliment. And she's not wrong, I'm not much like most of the CEO's I've known either - and I've worked with a lot of them over the years. I set my company up as a worker owned cooperative because I really believe it's about OUR success - not just mine. We also have a salary cap in our bylaws so no one can ever be paid more than 5x what the lowest paid full time worker in the company makes. I prioritize sustainability and having a positive ecological impact. I take the time to listen and actively seek dialogue with people who have different viewpoints and experiences because I know I don't know everything and the only way to learn is to listen. I didn't come from economic privilege - in 14 years of tech startup land, I can think of only 2 CEO's I've known who came from working class backgrounds. They also happened to be the two best in terms of team culture and diversity. I'd like to think I'm continuing that trend. I virtually never rely on authority to get the outcomes I want. I truly believe that real leadership is about vision and inspiration and if I'm relying on authority I've failed. Having said all that, I am far from perfect. I know I have a lot to learn. I make as many mistakes as any other fallible human. But I'm making a genuine effort to learn from those mistakes and do things differently. It's nice to be noticed.

My first job wasn’t exactly what I had in mind but I made it work. Then, I landed my current role as 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟—a title I hadn’t even heard of when I was graduating. I quickly realized that this role is a perfect match for my passion for being busy and a multi-tasker. When people ask me what a Chief of Staff does, I often say what my Slack bio says: "𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪(𝒉𝒂)𝑶𝑺" Here’s what I 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 about my job: 👉 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲: I’ve picked up so many skills on the job from mastering Excel to setting up tools and understanding finances. The learning never stops and that’s what keeps me going. 👉 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬: I thrive on being involved in everything. It’s not about being a specialist; it’s about being adaptable and resourceful whenever you can! 👉𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐬: There’s nothing like the feeling of setting something right and knowing it’s helping everyone. It’s those moments that make all the chaos worth it. But it’s not all easy: ✅𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: This is my first Chief of Staff role and when I first heard the title, it sounded fancy. But it’s far from a 9-to-5 job. It’s about being ready for anything at any time. ✅𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞: There are many assumed responsibilities. Being a Chief of Staff often means working behind the scenes, making things happen without expecting recognition. ✅𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐯𝐬. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: The constant battle between being a jack of all trades and a master of none is real. It’s a challenge to balance being broadly knowledgeable while sometimes feeling the pressure to specialize. This role may vary from one organization to another and is not a one-size-fits-all but well suited for someone who needs their plate full just like me :) #corporatejobs #startups #legistify #chiefofstaff #employee #thoughts

Some days in business feel extra rewarding when I pause to recognize signs that Workthrough’s mission to change the systems where career growth happens is taking flight. Here are five that have recently grabbed my attention. 1. Clients sharing glowing testimonials about the real, lasting impact my work has made on their organizations, even nearly a year later. 2. Recent updates from clients letting me know they’re integrating my career development services into their 2025 people development budgets. 3. Hearing the wins that follow career development conversations I facilitated between managers and their teams, especially for Black employees who, through coaching and guidance, are now seeing salary increases, new growth opportunities, and sponsorship from leadership. 4. Watching the initiatives I’ve designed for labour market and upskilling organizations launch and gain traction online—seeing them shared across LinkedIn, Instagram, and on websites, with positive and excited comments. 5. Successfully guiding senior leaders with decades of experience on linking career development to business goals, securing buy-in to make these changes stick. Each of these milestones reminds me why I started Workthrough in the first place. I’m all smiles when I think about how far my small, but mighty business has come. Here's to transforming career growth systems—one organization at a time. If you’re passionate about reshaping career development systems or need guidance in this area, let’s connect and chat! ✨ #CareerDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #Impact

Wow! everyone’s talking about it. ‘Chief of Staff’ roles have suddenly become super desirable, and it feels like every ambitious founder is gearing up to hire one. Let me tell you, this can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have in your career—but it’s not for everyone. The role is demanding. It’s super heavy on operations and execution, full of thankless legwork, and requires you to switch contexts every 30 minutes. Every day feels like a mission, and you’ll need to stay sharp, work long hours, and be ready for anything. It’s not a job—it’s a lifestyle. But here’s the thing: it’s also a front-row seat to how great businesses are built. You get to shadow incredible leaders, learn what truly matters in business, and separate substance from fluff. You’ll be solving the hardest problems, working on what really moves the needle, and sitting in the rooms where the most critical decisions are made. Unless you are ready to start your business someday or truly mad about impact- you are better off doing something else.