Happy May! May 2016 Newsletter

Hi there,
 
Happy Spring! The flowers are blooming in California, and I am enjoying the sights and smells of the roses in my yard. Navigating Transitions continues to bloom as well, supporting more clients around the issues of meaningful career success for introverts and professionals who want to make a big difference doing work that requires and values their strengths.
 
In the last couple months, I’ve taken on several new clients, including one previous acquaintance from New York! I work with some clients remotely, and I am happy to discover that we are able to achieve the same success that I achieve with clients I meet with in my Oakland office. For those who live locally and prefer meeting in person, I have another, brand-new office – located in Walnut Creek! A colleague referred me to Regus, a great place which allows me to book office space as needed – helpful as I continue to grow my client list in this area.
 
In a recent session with my New York client, I discovered she had tried once to start her own theater education business, but had given up that dream when it hadn’t immediately taken off. I shared what I’ve learned over recent years, that it takes serious skills to launch a successful business; skills we are not born with, but skills we can learn! It may not happen overnight, but it can happen step by step. She’s now reignited with passion and commitment for her dream and we are working on a plan and action steps she can take now, while continuing to earn good money in a “stair step” job.

I also see more and more valuable information about career choices and leadership roles for Introverts. As I know well, the wrong career or work environment can lead to day-to-day misery on the job, especially if the environment is geared for extroverts only. The Sentinel & Enterprise had a thought-provoking article recently, Businesses Bloom as Opposites Attract, that referenced the book, "The Genius of Opposites: How Introverts and Extroverts Achieve Extraordinary Results," by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler. The book says that "Opposites can produce exponential results." She says teams that respect the differences in style and approach that introverts and extroverts bring to a team work “like bifocal lenses that can see both up close and at a distance.” This results in "improved morale, surpassed company goals and the (shared) high that comes from satisfying work." 3/29/2016

Here are a few more articles and resources of value:

• Introverted leaders often deliver better outcomes… Interview with Susan Cain about Introvert leadership qualities. She says research shows the best CEOs are quiet, shy, unassuming people. 2/9/2016
• Why You Need an Introvert in Your Life. It’s time to shift the conversation from the negative to the positive side of introversion. Introverts bring a bounty of gifts to the table, including calmness, deliberation, and loyalty to friends and colleagues. Huffington Post, Quiet Revolution, 10/22/2015
• Best Jobs for Introverts, a blog post from “The Adventurous Writer,” names a few potentially appealing jobs for Introverts and quiet types – writing, self-employment, artist, scientist, stock broker – but wisely \says that the company and work environment are key factors to Introvert satisfaction.

One of my favorite activities continues to be the East Bay Career Transition Success Meetup group, which I lead. In April, our Meetup event was a Career Exploration for Introverts workshop at Rudramandir in Berkeley. I shared:

• Career assessment and exploration activities to find a rewarding career - that fits Introvert strengths.
• Career tips especially for Introverts from the book, "Quiet," and the my experience counseling Introverts and as an Introvert myself.
• Optional Introvert-friendly structured networking activities at the end.

I’ll host another workshop every few months and will continue to host monthly low-key networking gatherings in Albany. Please visit!
 
I also assisted for the first time at the Client Attraction Summit with Jesse Koren and Sharla Jacobs at Thrive Academy, which helps businesses like Navigating Transitions to help more people and to grow. It was a lot of fun to be on the team and learn a wealth of knowledge about what goes on behind the scenes at a big event like this. Many of us intend to offer similar events in the future.
 
A bonus was seeing the event participants come in with low energy, keeping their guard up, then transform through the weekend into lit-up excitement, commitment, and heartfelt exchanges with their fellow entrepreneurs. I remember going through that transformation myself! I continue to translate these lessons for clients, as well.
 






Kristina and Friends Assisting at Thrive Client Attraction Summit in April
 
I’ll be following up this newsletter with an invitation for you, a friend, family member, or colleague to try a free, half-hour “Into Your Dream Career” strategy session this month. Will you take a moment to think of someone you know who might need my services? Please refer them to me or call or email me and I will follow up. Thanks!
 
To Your Happiness and Success,
 
Kristina
 
Kristina Bennett, MA
Career Counselor
Navigating Transitions Career Counseling
www.HelpNavigatingTransitions.com 
(805) 540-1942

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