Howie Xu’s Post

🎉 Happy Friday, Everyone! 🎉 As we wrap up another productive week, let's take a moment to reflect on some fascinating reads and resources from around the web: Technology Insights: Dive into the latest advancements in AI, robotics, and beyond with this insightful article from TechCrunch. Career Development: Enhance your professional skills and explore new career opportunities with these actionable tips from Harvard Business Review. Personal Growth: Discover strategies for personal growth and mindfulness in this thought-provoking blog post from Medium. Entertainment Corner: Unwind and relax with a captivating novel, blockbuster movie, or binge-worthy TV series. Share your recommendations with us! Community Spotlight: Highlighting the achievements and contributions of members within our community. Feel free to share your recent accomplishments or commend someone who deserves recognition. Weekend Plans: Whether it's exploring the outdoors, trying out a new recipe, or catching up on sleep, share your weekend plans and get inspired by others! Remember to take some time for yourself this weekend and recharge for the week ahead. Wishing you all a fantastic Friday and a rejuvenating weekend ahead! 🚀🌟 #LinkedFriday #TGIF

I wish someone had shared these lessons with me before I joined Salesforce, as I'd have undoubtedly multiplied my impact... 👷♀️ Outwork Everyone: You might not be the smartest in the room, but you can always be the smartest and hardest working. Play to your strengths. ⭕ Curate Your Inner Circle: If you’re surrounded by negativity, change it fast. Your environment shapes your life. 🤨 Trust Your Gut: Don’t settle because society tells you to. If it doesn’t feel right, have the courage to change direction. 👩👩👧👦 Family Time is Precious: Flexibility is super important - you’ll miss your family more than you can imagine when they’re gone. 🧘♂️ Stress Less: If you can’t control it, let it go. Focus your energy on what you can change. 🙂 Smile Through the Struggles: Even when things are tough, smiling can make all the difference. 😲 Brace for Criticism: If you're building something worthwhile, criticism will come. Use it as fuel. 💰 Money Matters: It won't buy happiness, but it sure makes life more enjoyable. Don’t be ashamed if you're motivated by it. 💔 Break Bad Habits Early: We all have them. Swap out the ones holding you back with habits that drive you toward a more fulfilling life. 😁 Choose Happiness: No matter how tough things get, remember that happiness is often a choice you can make. Reflection is a muscle to needs to be developed and flexed from time to time. It's also important to look back and be the shining light for others. ~~~~~ 💬 What lessons do you have that will help others? #impact #salesforce #mindset #growth #leadership

3 Solid Reasons to Keep a #Positive #Attitude on Bad Days 1. A good attitude helps you bounce back quickly from setbacks, making it easier to handle challenges and move forward. 2. Staying positive allows you to think more clearly and find #solutions, rather than getting stuck in negativity. 3. A positive outlook can lift your spirits and help you stay calm, making a bad day feel less #overwhelming. Do you #agree? #positiveattitude #inspiration #linkedin #staypositive #bepositive #positivenature LinkedIn boAt Lifestyle BOAT International Media Lenskart.com Genpact Genpact EMEA Google Amazon Web Services (AWS) Amazon Spotify Flipkart BlackRock Tata Consultancy Services

Black Friday is here, and while the world encourages us to splurge on material things, let’s pause and ask ourselves: Will this purchase truly change my life? Sure, a new gadget or outfit might bring a quick dopamine hit, but lasting transformation requires something deeper—an investment in yourself. Here’s the truth: When it comes to investing in ourself and we say, “that’s too expensive,” it’s often fear talking. Fear of discomfort, fear of change, or fear of realizing we’re capable of more. But every time you invest in your growth—whether through coaching, a course, or learning a new skill—you’re rewriting your story. You’re telling yourself, “I am worth it.” I’ve experienced this firsthand. For years, I relied on self-discipline and hard work to grow, and it brought me VERY far. I mean a complete 180 transformation, but eventually, I hit a plateau. It wasn’t until I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined mastermind groups and hired mentors that things exponentially changed for me. That decision—to prioritize myself over fleeting pleasures—became a turning point in my life. What about you? What if, instead of buying what feels good now, you invested in something that would feel great forever? Whether it’s a new skill, improving your mindset, or joining a community of like-minded individuals, the time is now. This Black Friday, I’m offering 50% OFF my coaching packages and the Mindful Warriors Network—a personal development mastermind group designed to help you grow mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. This is your chance to take the first step toward building the life you deserve. Whether it’s through 1:1 coaching or joining a supportive community of driven, like-minded individuals, the choice is yours. 🎯 Don’t wait—these offers are only available until 11:59pm and there’s only 2 spots remaining! Make the decision today that your future self will thank you for. DM me now! #InvestInYourself #BlackFridayDeals #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetMatters #TransformationJourney #SelfImprovement #BlackFridaySale #LevelUpYourLife #CoachingForSuccess #growthmindset

Thanksgiving and thought leadership. (well beyond the holiday spirit) After working as an expert in digital marketing for many years, and helping countless small businesses thrive. I realize THESE are the key elements to lead with gratitude: Thought leadership. Below you'll find essential practices, along with do's and don'ts: 1) Show Appreciation Do: Recognize and thank your team and clients regularly Don't: Take their efforts for granted 2) Share Knowledge Do: Provide valuable insights and expertise freely Don't: Hoard information to maintain control 3) Be Authentic Do: Be genuine in your interactions and communications Don't: Fake appreciation or manipulate others for personal gain 4) Foster Community Do: Build a supportive network around your business Don't: Isolate yourself or your team 5) Lead by Example Do: Demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes you value Don't: Expect others to do what you wouldn't 6) Encourage Growth Do: Support continuous learning and development Don't: Stagnate or resist new ideas 7) Practice Humility Do: Acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them Don't: Pretend to be infallible 8) Inspire Trust Do: Be reliable and transparent in your actions Don't: Break promises or be deceitful 9) Stay Positive Do: Cultivate a positive and resilient mindset Don't: Dwell on failures or spread negativity 10) Empower Others Do: Give your team the tools and confidence to succeed Don't: Micromanage or undermine their capabilities 11) Communicate Clearly Do: Express your vision and goals effectively Don't: Use ambiguous language or mixed messages 12) Be Inclusive Do: Value diverse perspectives and ideas Don't: Exclude or marginalize any group 13) Show Gratitude Do: Regularly express thanks for contributions big and small Don't: Overlook the small victories 14) Encourage Collaboration Do: Promote teamwork and collective problem-solving Don't: Foster a competitive or siloed environment 15) Stay Curious Do: Always seek to learn and understand more Don't: Assume you know everything 16) Reflect and Adapt Do: Continuously evaluate and improve your approach Don't: Stick rigidly to outdated methods Master these practices, and you'll lead with gratitude and impact. Wishing you a joyous Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude, and cherished moments with your loved ones!

Today’s post is inspired by a friend who expressed her gratitude to a coworker, only to have it brushed off. She was left embarrassed, replaying the moment, and wondering, “We’re a family. Did I do something wrong?” Work isn’t family, and it shouldn’t be. Calling coworkers “family” blurs the lines, diminishes the true meaning of the word, and creates unreasonable expectations. It leads to holding your tongue, softening feedback to avoid conflict, and skipping the honest, emotional work that’s essential for building truly cohesive and collaborative teams. Gratitude is an act of bravery. It’s risky. Expressing #gratitude means being vulnerable, knowing it might not be met with the same energy. But if it isn’t — that’s on them, not you. Their response — or lack thereof — doesn’t diminish your courage, your sincerity, or your worth. This Thanksgiving week, let’s practice gratitude that’s real. Messy. Uncomfortable. Authentic. It’s looking someone in the eye and saying, I appreciate you, and meaning it. Here’s how to cultivate gratitude this week: 1. List 3 Things You’re Thankful For: Beyond work. Share them with someone who matters to you. 2. Set Boundaries: Work can wait—your loved ones deserve your full attention, and you deserve the down time. 3. Respond With Confidence. If your gratitude goes unrecognized, let it go. You were brave to share it—no embarrassment needed. What’s one thing you’re grateful for this week? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear and celebrate it with you. I’ll start: I’m deeply grateful for everyone who reads, comments on, and shares my posts. Choosing to share my personal stories—and my passion for women’s self-empowered career development—was a risk, but your support has made it more than worthwhile. If this message resonates with you, I invite you to pass it along to someone who might need it. Together we can spark the conversations that matter. #WomenInLeadership #CareerDevelopment #WomenInBusiness #WomenInTech #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenInSTEM #HealthIT #WorkLifeBalance #MindsetMatters

🌟 Hello, November! 🍂 As we step into a new month, it’s a great time to reflect on our goals and set our intentions for the weeks ahead. November is a month of gratitude and transformation, and it offers us an opportunity to focus on what truly matters. Here are a few thoughts to inspire you this month: Set Clear Goals: What do you want to achieve by the end of November? Whether it’s a project at work or personal development, clarity is key. Embrace Change: This time of year reminds us that change is a natural part of growth. Let’s welcome new opportunities and challenges with open arms. Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to acknowledge what you’re thankful for. It can shift your perspective and boost your motivation. Connect with Others: Networking is essential, especially as we approach year-end reviews and planning for 2024. Reach out, share insights, and collaborate! Let’s make this month impactful and purposeful. What are your goals for November? Share your thoughts in the comments! Wishing everyone a successful and fulfilling month ahead! 🌟 #NovemberGoals #Gratitude #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking

First coffee of the day on a Saturday. This isn’t one of those cringey LinkedIn posts where it taught me something about B2B SaaS (maybe it’s a little cringey 🤣) It was just great to pause, enjoy the weather and reflect on the week. I met and talked to some amazing people this week. I was lucky enough to speak with founders who are solving gnarly problems in businesses and other walks of life. I love listening to the ideas of people who are helping other people, places, and the planet thrive. It’s also been a week of learning new things, as always, and moving out of my comfort zone to expand my repertoire of experience. ‘Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable’ has been my mission for the past few months. I also received some truly humbling feedback on my leadership from a former team member, which was amazing. There are three things I’m taking away from this week: 1. Don’t play it small Always think big, think long term, and plan for success. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture. But it's essential to aim high and set ambitious goals. Other people respond to and match your ambition. 2.When you’re a leader, you’re always someone’s leader Even after you or they have moved on, those relationships endure, and your impact endures. It’s more than just a job. Leadership is about influence, inspiration, and lasting connections. Your actions and decisions leave a lasting impression, shaping the professional journeys of those you lead for years to come. 3. Surround yourself with people who are doing amazing things and give you energy Being around the right people can inspire you, challenge you, and keep you motivated. Seek out individuals who are passionate, driven, and innovative. Their energy will be contagious, fueling your own drive to achieve more and do better. Wishing everyone a great weekend! #WeekendVibes #CoffeeChat #Energy #Cringe

Gratitude is a conscious shift in perspective, a recognition of the good in our lives, big and small. Why is it so important? 1. Boosts happiness: Focusing on what we have rather than what we lack fosters contentment and joy. 2. Reduces stress: Gratitude helps shift our focus away from anxieties and worries. 3. Increases resilience: Gratitude helps us navigate challenges with a more positive outlook. With this in mind I am kicking off my new "Friday Feels" post. Where I reflect and share something I am grateful for. Today I am grateful for the power of representation! The tech world thrives on innovation, creativity, and problem-solving. To truly excel, it needs a workforce as diverse as the people who use its products. One powerful way to increase diversity is through the power of representation. Below is a screenshot of a message I received from a student who participated in a recent Google & SHPE event I led in Chicago. Imagine growing up and never seeing anyone who looks like you in positions of power. That lack of representation can be incredibly isolating and send a harmful message: you don't belong. We all deserve to see ourselves reflected in the world around us. Let's strive for authentic and meaningful representation in all areas of life. Special thank-you to the amazing panelist: Emily Vera, Estefania Ortiz, and Viridiana M.!

A few months ago LinkedIn reminded me that I’ve hit my 7th work anniversary. This milestone feels like a heavier one as I’ve experienced more in the past year. Maybe it’s an overdue awakening? A belated realisation? Doesn’t matter. Curiosity has been a trait that I want to embody but the reality is that amidst day-to-day work it’s hard to remain curious. So I hack myself by putting myself in a state of constant struggle. (Probably a bit too much struggle with my part time AI Masters haha) And while it is really satisfying and rewarding, it’s also really tiring - pacing while challenging myself is a tricky balance. Especially in the last year I’ve really struggled to figure out what kind of values I want to have. Quoting Adele (ikr) “Talent can't dictate how you move. Talent can't decide how you treat people. Talent doesn't have a moral compass. Talent cannot read a room. You can be the most talented person on the planet and only make bad decisions. But character is observed, it is witnessed, it is taught and it is passed down.” Not saying that I am as talented as Adele and that was not her point but I’ve decided that I will focus on working on my character. My character will guide me. It will influence the work I do and the community I surround myself with. I’ve come to terms that as much as I want to, there is an amount to which I can accelerate skill and experience. (More like a shocking awakening by the Masters haha) At a certain point patience and time will work its magic. I’ve also come across a wider array of characters and personalities, on multiple ends of spectrums. So of course while I have made so many meaningful friends that I have learnt a lot from, there will be some that I do not agree with. Nothing much to do but to lower my expectations and raise my own standards. At the end of the day we are human with our own experiences and struggles that form different perspectives. Just penning down a few of my thoughts to commemorate this part of my life. Might be embarrassed in a few years, but thats another struggle for another time 😉 #feelinginsightfulmightdeletelater