Welcome to “Dear Dana”, our occasional column to give you career and workplace advice/coaching. We posted this at the beginning of the year, but since I'm getting more questions about timing for a job search now, I thought I'd post it again. Year-end is the perfect time to start getting ready for...
Coaching Advice
Leadership, the Imposter Syndrome, and Being REAL
Do you ever feel like an imposter? Like someone will figure out you aren't up to the job you have? Guess what? The Imposter Syndrome is a thing. And it's a thing all kinds of leaders learn to deal with and overcome. Women. Men. Even people like you who are in exactly the right place at the right...
3 Ways a Male Executive Can Help Create a Less Biased Corporate Culture
Dear Dana, I’ve recently been promoted to an executive position in my company and I read your article about how senior women can help change corporate culture regarding gender and sexual discrimination and harassment. In my new position, I now see things that are walking the line of sexism and...
3 Stages of Career Transition: Putting Yourself “Out There” For a Job Search
Maybe you’re a little bored. Maybe you’re too comfortable. Maybe you hate your boss. Maybe you’re about to be laid off. Maybe you’re just operating below your top capacity. Maybe you’re not sure it’s time for a job search, but you’re thinking about it anyway. Wherever you’re at, even if you’re...
How Does Executive Coaching Work?
Some Truths About Executive Coaching Executive coaching is the new state-of-the-art for career development. It’s like having a professional mentor–but much more. I never cease to be amazed at the power of the coaching process to draw out the skills or talent that was previously hidden...
6 Things You can Do When You’ve Had Enough Of Sexual Discrimination & Self-Sabotage
Every woman reaches a point at least once in her life (most of us, many more), where the frustration of sexual discrimination, subtle undermining or personal self-sabotage we learned at the knee of the dominant culture smacks us in the face. You know it. It’s that moment of wordless disbelief,...
Conflict Management Trick: RIGHT vs. RIGHT
Every time I do a leadership training seminar at least one person in the room always has the same light bulb go off when I introduce the Conflict Management idea of RIGHT vs. RIGHT, described in Chris McGoff’s The PRIMES. You can see it in their eyes when they are able to perceive an alternative...
How to Future Proof YOURSELF: 6 Suggestions [Video]
Recently I posted a video on how to future proof your career, but I only addressed the career planning aspects of how to prepare for an uncertain future. As an executive and career coach, I also see the personal toll and challenges that people encounter when creating a "Plan B" in case of...
Do You Follow Your Paycheck or Do You Follow Your Passion at Work?
By Shira Harrington Do you know the feeling when you’ve had a big “win” at work? When you’ve served with your whole heart doing something you love? It’s pretty exhilarating, right? That feeling doesn’t have to be fleeting. It’s possible to capture it every day when follow your passion and work for...
How to Create a Future Proof Career: 6 Suggestions [Video]
Reorganizations, layoffs and new (bad) bosses, oh my! It seems like every day I hear about people who were in stable jobs they thought they’d have for a long time when their work situation is disrupted and they found themselves feeling unprepared for a newly uncertain future. Most of the people I...








