Clarity Under Pressure

Laid Off? Don't Apply to Another Job Until You Do This | Career Transition Advice

Losing your job can shake more than your finances. It can shake your confidence, identity, and sense of direction. If you've recently been laid off, your first instinct may be to update your résumé, open LinkedIn, and apply for every job you can find. Before you do, take five minutes. In this episode of Clarity Under Pressure, I share a simple reflection exercise and the G.E.A.R.™ Decision Reset, a practical framework to help you move from fear and urgency to clarity and intentional action during your job search. In this episode you'll learn: ✔ Why layoffs trigger fear, urgency, and overthinking ✔ A visualization exercise to discover what you truly want in your next role ✔ How to use the G.E.A.R.™ Decision Reset during your job search ✔ Reflection questions that help you make career decisions with confidence ✔ Why your relationships may become your greatest career asset during a transition Whether you've been laid off unexpectedly, are changing careers, or simply questioning what's next, this episode will help you slow down, regain perspective, and move forward with intention. Remember: A layoff changes your circumstances. It doesn't diminish your value.

YPSG #8: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Early in Your Career

Do you ever feel like everyone else knows what they're doing except you? In this episode of Young Professional Survival Guide, Lisa Larson tackles one of the most common challenges facing early career professionals: imposter syndrome. From questioning whether you belong in the room to staying silent in meetings because you're afraid of being wrong, these feelings are more common than you think. Lisa shares her own experience navigating self-doubt as a young professional in the technology industry and offers practical strategies to build confidence, speak up with greater courage, and challenge the internal stories that keep talented professionals small. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why tenure doesn't always equal expertise * How curiosity can become your greatest career advantage * Why waiting until you're "ready" may hold you back * How to build a confidence file to overcome self-doubt * The difference between facts and the stories imposter syndrome creates Whether you're a recent graduate, new leader, or simply navigating a new role, this episode will help you quiet self-doubt and step into your career with greater confidence. Reflection Question: If you truly trusted that you had earned your seat at the table, how would you show up differently tomorrow? #CareerDevelopment #ImposterSyndrome #YoungProfessionals #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #ConfidenceAtWork #EarlyCareer #Leadership #CareerAdvice

Fitness Friday: The Hidden Workforce Crisis of Elder Caregiving with Jamie Roberts

Behind every employee badge, leadership title, and professional accomplishment may be someone quietly managing a second full-time job: caring for an aging parent. In this deeply personal Fitness Friday episode, Lisa shares her own experience navigating executive leadership responsibilities while caring for her mother during the final years of her life. As the oldest child and only daughter, Lisa faced the complex realities of caregiving, difficult family dynamics, guilt, impossible decisions, and the emotional toll of trying to do what was best for someone she loved. Lisa is joined by Jamie Roberts, CEO of The HELP Project and a nationally recognized expert in aging services, elder care, and workforce caregiving challenges. Together they discuss: * Why caregiving impacts even the highest-performing leaders * The emotional complexity of caring for a parent when relationships are complicated * The hidden cost of elder caregiving on employee performance and retention * Why employees rarely tell their employers what they're carrying * The unique challenges facing the Sandwich Generation * How caregiving affects decision-making, stress, and leadership effectiveness * What organizations can do to better support employees before burnout and turnover occur According to research from the Pew Research Center, more than half of Americans in their 40s are simultaneously supporting aging parents and their own children, often while managing demanding careers. Yet most organizations still fail to recognize the impact caregiving has on performance, engagement, and retention. If you're caring for an aging parent, leading a team, or responsible for employee well-being, this conversation is essential listening. Guest: Jamie Roberts, CEO, The HELP Project #Caregiving #Leadership #SandwichGeneration #EmployeeWellbeing #Burnout #DecisionMaking #ClarityUnderPressure #FitnessFriday #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork

YPSG #7: How to Stop Letting Bad Coworkers Derail Your Career

Have you ever worked with someone who consistently misses deadlines, creates extra work for everyone else, and somehow still keeps their job? You're not alone. In this episode of the Young Professional Survival Guide, Lisa explores one of the biggest hidden career traps for high performers: becoming distracted by other people's poor performance. While underperforming coworkers can be frustrating, spending too much time focusing on their behavior comes at a cost. Every minute spent complaining, comparing, or keeping score is mental energy that isn't being invested in your own growth. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why obsessing over underperforming coworkers slows your own career growth * How to shift your focus from frustration to personal development * What you can and cannot control in the workplace * How reputation, reliability, and professionalism compound over time * Why the best leaders focus on results instead of keeping score If you've ever found yourself asking, "How is this person still employed?" this episode is for you. Key takeaway: Don't let someone else's lack of discipline become your distraction. #CareerDevelopment #YoungProfessionals #Leadership #ProfessionalGrowth #OfficePolitics #CareerAdvice #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #EarlyCareer #ClarityUnderPressure

YPSG #6: The Career Lessons You Can't Learn on Zoom

Most career advice focuses on skills, certifications, and training. But some of the most important lessons of your career can't be taught in a classroom or learned during a Zoom meeting. In this episode of the Young Professional Survival Guide, Lisa explores why today's young professionals may be missing a critical advantage that previous generations developed through proximity, observation, and informal mentorship. You'll learn: * Why career growth often happens between meetings, not inside them * The hidden cost of highly efficient workplaces and remote work environments * Why exposure to experienced leaders matters as much as formal mentorship * The leadership skills that are absorbed through observation, not training * Practical ways to create more learning opportunities, build stronger relationships, and accelerate your professional growth Whether you're early in your career, working remotely, or leading the next generation of talent, this episode will challenge you to rethink how leadership development really happens. Key takeaway: Some of the most important career lessons aren't taught. They're caught. #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #YoungProfessionals #ProfessionalGrowth #RemoteWork #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork #CareerAdvice #ClarityUnderPressure