The Agile Career Podcast

Turning Your Hobby Into a Business

In this episode, Martin Wachters joins me. We talk about how a hobby can turn into a full-time career. We also cover the importance of other skills and interests that can make this a reality. Martin is the founder of Muziekles Amsterdam, a Netherlands-based music school. He also has several published online courses and resources to help beginners and more experienced students learn and improve the guitar and piano. Key Takeaways * If you are not in your ideal career, don't think that the experience or skills you learn are wasted * You may not always land in your dream career, but often something closely related that you might not have initially considered * It takes courage to quit the comfortable and move into the unknown * Bringing together areas of interest such as (in Martin's case) music, teaching, entrepreneurship, and technology can create a niche * Don't cater to everyone; pick a niche * Start small by not committing to something big before you have tested the idea * Be willing to think again, as you won't always be right * Once you create your core offering or service, you can grow an ecosystem of businesses or services around this Resources Martin recommended the following books: * Unleash the Power Within: Personal Coaching to Transform Your Life [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unleash-Power-Within-Personal-Transform/dp/B08562DCT8/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=tony+robbins&qid=1666370454&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjcwIiwicXNhIjoiNC4xOSIsInFzcCI6IjQuMDYifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Tony+ro%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-7] by Tony Robbins * Start With Why [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0241958229/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_QHSJSP0Z85J219TJEJ77] by Simon Sinek * Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0753553910/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_SRRW48BZDH1SQ4ZC3R3K] by Adam Grant Connect with Martin Listeners can learn more about and connect with Martin by visiting: * The Muziekles Amsterdam website [https://muzieklesamsterdam.nl/] * His LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-wachters-a82156a/] * The Guitar Game website [https://www.theguitargame.com/] * The Piano Game website [https://www.the-piano-game.com/] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter]--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agile-career/message

Does Your Work, Work For You?

In this episode, Sonja Price joins me. We talk about making your career work for you. This means thinking about the guidance and finesse you will need, and what the decision criteria are for choosing what you do in your career. Very importantly, we talk about getting paid what you are worth. Sonja is a career strategist and founder of Dynamo Careers. She is passionate about empowering professionals to accelerate their career success, to become financially free, and to make a positive impact around the world. Key Takeaways * Does your work, work for you? Are you getting the most out of your current role? * Taking on a role at a small organisation can provide big opportunities for learning and growth * Don't be afraid to re-invent your career. Multiple times if you have to * A side hustle is a great way to soft start your new or changed career * Pay attention to where you are at the moment, what skills you already have, and which you need to learn * Create opportunities and even craft your ideal role * Instead of a stretch goal, set yourself a stretch role * Don't underestimate the value of building relationships and developing your social capital * Having valuable skills (and knowing what these are) makes a big difference * Use a combination of clarity and research to determine what you want from your career * To get there, understand whether incremental adjustments or big jumps would work best * Don't hesitate to seek help if you are stuck Resources We discussed the following resources on the show: * Does your work = work for you? https://dynamocareers.com/quiz [https://dynamocareers.com/quiz] * How much more could you earn in your lifetime? https://dynamocareers.com/calculator [https://dynamocareers.com/calculator] * Helping people everywhere find a job and company they love - https://www.glassdoor.co.uk [https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/] * Salary insights with https://www.payscale.com [https://www.payscale.com/] * Make fair pay a reality https://www.salary.com [https://www.salary.com/] Connect with Sonja Listeners can learn more about and connect with Sonja by visiting her website [https://dynamocareers.com/] or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjaprice/]. Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter] (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agile-career/message

Turn Your Nine To Five Into Your Nine To Alive

In this episode, Bruna de Palo joins me. We talk about changing your nine to five to your nine to alive. We cover mapping your career, finding your ideal role, considering a career in the non-profit sector, and the importance of neuroscience when it comes to your career. Bruna is a certified leadership, executive & career coach, keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and founder of Think and Act Differently. Key Takeaways * Don't use your passion as a compass. Create a map to help navigate your career * A good career is one where you can express yourself and be who you are * Know the difference between talents and skills * Speak to people who have similar characteristics to you. Find out what career role they are in * 'Learn to turn poison into medicine', i.e. make the most from a bad situation * Regulating stress and handling your emotions is important * Use a feedback loop to identify your limiting beliefs * Differentiate your transferable skills from the obvious * Know yourself, know others Resources We discussed the following resources on the show: * Bruna's TED Talk [https://youtu.be/htHrL_6SB-M] * Bruna's Nine To Alive [https://youtu.be/Am69LxLCXuA] series * This was not strictly discussed on the show, but a great resource to help find a job with purpose, Escape The City [https://www.escapethecity.org/] * The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/014103887X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_2MZPZD0SEK8KW6Y1A6BD] by Norman Doidge Connect with Bruna If listeners are considering a career change or would like to learn more about, and connect with Bruna, please visit her website [https://brunadepalo.com/]. You can also sign up for her newsletter on the website. Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter] (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agile-career/message

Growing Your Own Company

In this episode, Jim Barnish joins me and we talk about an alternative to climbing the career ladder. We also talk about how careers no longer follow straight lines; Jim shares how his career didn't follow a traditional straight line either. Jim has spent the last two decades growing tech companies as an entrepreneur, operator and consultant. Jim now runs Orchid Black, a growth services firm complete with growth experts, just like Jim, that share an incredible track record for making technology companies worth so much more. Key Takeaways * When considering job opportunities, don't only dwell on the functional aspects of the job but look closely at the company culture * Sometimes your dream job isn't your ideal job * Don't underestimate the value of having a coach * When looking for your ideal role, look beyond the career and personality tests * Ikigai is a fantastic tool to help find your purpose and ideal role * Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes it's built on catastrophe * It is okay to make mistakes, as long as you are learning from them * Perseverance and working hard are the basic skills that everyone should develop * Wherever you are on your career or entrepreneurial journey, there is always help available * Even if you are not a project manager, having those skills is important * Key transferable skills are communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving * Being a team player means that you don't always get the wins yourself, but you help others to achieve those wins * Resources We discussed the following resources on the show: * Ikigai on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai] * The Squiggly Career: The No.1 Sunday Times Business Bestseller - Ditch the Ladder, Discover Opportunity, Design Your Career [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QGK981R/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_EW1XVS6A3SBEQ7TPX60Q] by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis * How Successful People Lead: Taking Your Influence to the Next Level [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FOWA1Z8/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4E9SWSYN2YTDFXTRPPNN] by John C. Maxwell * Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Handbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JFKHCNY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_NT3Y8HSMC4TH99V3N0C1] by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle * How to Win Friends and Influence People [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0091906814/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_CH9PXARW46ABADAXNM3Z] by Dale Carnegie * How to Ikigai: Lessons for Finding Happiness and Living Your Life's Purpose (Ikigai Book, Lagom, Longevity, Peaceful Living) [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RW3539F/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_K46K5BBXADDQWYESAT95] by Tim Tamashiro Connect with Jim Listeners can learn more about and connect with Jim by visiting his LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/] page or the Orchid Black website [https://www.orchid.black/]. Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter] (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agile-career/message

10 Things Coaching Rugby Has Taught Me About Leading Teams

I've been coaching youth rugby for eight years now. In that time there have been (and still are) so many lessons that I have learnt. The interesting thing is, these lessons can be directly applied to leadership. In this episode, I dive into more detail on these lessons. The lessons are: * Sometimes you need to work with what you’re given * Even top performers have bad days * Peer pressure counts for more than you think * Everybody has baggage * Commitment varies – not everyone is there because they want to be * Team members need to be engaged * It’s not always about talent * A team requires balance * Some like to lead, others are happy to follow * You can’t win without an aligned team Listen in for the detail on these learnings. In this episode I also talk about The Agile Career Podcast being recognised as one of the top 20 careers podcasts in the UK. I am truly honoured by this. Check out the link below to find out more and also to see some other great career-related podcasts that you can listen to. https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_career_podcasts/ [https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_career_podcasts/] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter] (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gunterrichter) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agile-career/message