Bouncing Back from Career Setbacks

I've recently suffered a major career setback. Since I teach about high performance and career growth, I want to share how I am addressing it. One day you will need this recipe yourself! My goal in my current "career" is to reach as many people as I can, and to help them achieve career success and satisfaction. For the last three years, the way to do this has been through LinkedIn. Unfortunately, LinkedIn recently made some unknown changes to their algorithm. Other Top Voices and I have noticed a drop of 70% to 80% in the reach of our posts. Since my goal is to share my knowledge with more people, that means my goal just took an 80% hit. In general, setbacks in performance are either due to: A) Something we did Or B) Something external, outside our direct control Mistakes, poor decisions, and missed deadlines are examples of A. They are in our control. Things like Covid, high interest rates, and reorganizations at work are examples of B, outside our control. LinkedIn's change is also case B, outside my control. When a setback comes from something in your control, you know clearly what you did wrong and what you need to change to restore your performance and progress. Fixing your own issues may take time and be difficult, but you know what to do. When the setback is due to something outside your control, you do not know how to fix the issue. So, how can we react when our performance is shattered and we do not know why? Here is my recipe: 1. Allow yourself a fixed amount of time to grieve (and complain if you wish). Emotions are real, and before you can move on you will need to sit with those emotions. But, do not get stuck in them. Curse your bad luck, pout for a minute, etc. Then, move to the next step. 2. Refocus on your core value. Whatever happened, go back to how you define high performance to ensure it is still relevant. I admit, I slipped into defining my own performance by how many people viewed my LinkedIn posts. This was a mistake. My mission is to help others, so getting views is a proxy, not a result. And, using LinkedIn is just a method for the mission, not the mission itself. 3. Adapt your core value if you must (if its value has decreased). In my case, the value of what I offer hasn't changed, the external delivery system has. 4. Once you adapt and/or increase your value, find new ways to deliver it if necessary. Luckily, I have other options for reaching people: my Substack newsletter, YouTube, etc. Since Substack has been such a good partner recently, I will start there. I have also refocused how I write on LinkedIn to make every post focused on my goal. 5. Test, measure, adapt, repeat! Really, this step is everything. Once you get past the grief, jump into action in this loop. Nothing can stop you if you keep working to refine, deliver, and showcase your core value. Comments? Here's my newsletter, which is my next area of investment: https://lnkd.in/gXh2pdK2

If I got laid off today here's what I'd do: First, I'd breathe. Just breathe. For 24 hours, I'd let myself feel it all. The shock, the anger, the fear. Then I'd get to work: 1. Refresh my resume. Achievements over responsibilities. Stats. Results over tasks. 2. Same with my LinkedIn profile. Update, refresh. Highlight accomplishments and measurable impacts. 3. Reach out to people in my network. Not with "I need a job" messages, but with genuine reconnections. On LinkedIn and any other communities. 4. Build in public. Share my journey, what I'm learning, the wins and the struggles. 5. Avoid wasting time on job boards. I'd find decision-makers and build relationships instead. 6. Protect my mental health. Fiercely. Morning routines. Exercise. Time blocks for applications and networking, with clear boundaries. And, most importantly: I’d put a post-it note somewhere visible to remind myself MY WORTH ISN’T TIED TO MY EMPLOYMENT STATUS. I know this path intimately. Both from personal experience and from guiding hundreds through it. The toughest part of being laid off isn't the job loss. It's the identity crisis that follows. But sometimes your greatest career breakthrough is on the other side of what feels like failure. It was for me. What would you add to this list? What helped you bounce back from a career setback?

Imagine waking up to find the #career path you spent years building suddenly… gone. Not because of your choices. Not because of your performance. But because of external forces entirely outside your control. It happens more than we like to admit. And when it does, the people who adapt the fastest are the ones who thrive. The one skill that determines whether you move forward or get stuck? 🚀 Adaptability. 🚀 It’s not just about bouncing back. It’s about reframing, repositioning, and rebuilding—before the dust even settles. I learned this the hard way when #Brexit wiped out my career trajectory in the #EuropeanUnion. Overnight, the path I was on disappeared. The conversations, the next steps, the plans—they all meant nothing. I had two choices: 🛑 Stay in the past, mourning what was lost. ✅ Or adapt—reassess, reframe, and rebuild. That’s what adaptability really is. Not reacting. Not waiting. But taking control of the one thing that’s still yours—your mindset and your next move. If you’re facing uncertainty right now, here’s what I learned: 1️⃣ Accept that the old path is gone—but you are not. Your skills, experience, and impact still hold value. 2️⃣ Reframe the story—instead of “I lost my job,” it’s “I’m pivoting my expertise to where it’s needed next.” 3️⃣ Reconnect with your network—opportunities don’t just come from job boards; they come from conversations. 4️⃣ Start before you feel ready—because waiting for clarity keeps you stuck. The future isn’t about who has the perfect plan. It’s about who can adapt when the plan gets thrown out.

When I first moved to Australia, I faced 516 rejections. I walked out of interviews thinking, "I’m not good enough for this country." That feeling is a special kind of lonely. And after coaching 230+ migrant professionals since then, I know I wasn't alone in that feeling. Let's be honest, rejection in the job search hurts. And hearing "𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴" doesn't make it any better. It's not just a "𝗻𝗼" to a job application. It's the first time you've ever felt "𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩." Back home, you were a respected person. Here, it feels different. That rejection starts to feel personal. It pokes at old wounds. It triggers deep-seated fears about your value. So, how do you bounce back? It starts inward. Not with another application. 𝟭. 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲. You are not your job application. A "no" is a data point, not a verdict on your value as a person. 𝟮. 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. It's okay to feel disappointed. Angry. Frustrated. Sit with it for a moment. But don't let it become your identity. You are a person experiencing rejection; you are not "rejected." 𝟯. 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 "𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗠𝗲?" 𝘁𝗼 "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁?" Staying stuck in "why didn't they pick me?" is a loop of powerlessness. You can't control their decision. Ask yourself, "𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸?" 𝟰. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 "𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆." Bouncing back doesn't always mean sending 10 more applications. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is: → Go for a walk. → Call a friend who lifts you up. → Celebrate a tiny win (like getting a response, even if it's a no). Recharge your energy. That is part of the work. Here's the thing: Rejection doesn’t decide your future; YOU do. And sometimes, the biggest change starts not when you 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘱: But when you allow yourself to feel, process, and flow through it! Be kind to yourself! #JobSearch #Rejection #Mindset #Compassion

𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲���𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Setbacks in business—and life—are inevitable. I was recently reminded of this when two of my mentees faced serious roadblocks in their entrepreneurial journeys. The initial instinct? Doubt, discouragement, and the thought of giving up. But here’s the truth: setbacks are not signals to stop; they are opportunities to rise higher, stronger, and more audacious than before. In fact, research backs this up. Studies show that 𝟵𝟮% 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀—𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 (𝗦𝗕𝗔). 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟳𝟬% (𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗲𝘀). So, how do you bounce back? Here are 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 to turn setbacks into comebacks: 1️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 – Shift your perspective. Instead of seeing failure as an end, view it as feedback. Every challenge is a lesson in disguise. 2️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 – Step back and analyze what went wrong. Do you need a strategy pivot? A different approach? Clarity comes from reflection. 3️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 – This is where a mentor becomes invaluable. A good mentor provides 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆—often seeing solutions you might not. 4️⃣ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Learning is crucial, but action is what truly matters. Create a comeback plan with measurable steps and execute relentlessly. 5️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 – The most successful people didn’t just recover; they amplified their ambition after failure. Think of Steve Jobs post-Apple, Elon Musk after near bankruptcy—setbacks fueled their biggest successes. The journey is never smooth, but resilience—backed by the right mentorship—can turn obstacles into stepping stones. If you’re facing a tough time, don’t lower your bar. 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿. Have you had a mentor guide you through a tough phase? I’d love to hear how mentorship helped you turn things around! #Resilience #Mentorship #Entrepreneurship

Disappointment is a skill. You can get good at it, not just push through it. I was talking with a senior associate from an Am Law 100 firm who had spent six months chasing an in-house counsel role at a private equity firm. She didn't land it. Her story stuck with me. It got me thinking about how we handle those tough moments in our careers. Here's what I've learned: Closed doors are part of the process. The email you're hoping for never comes. The offer falls through. It stings, especially if you're someone who plans carefully and plays to win. But it's not the world saying you're not enough. It's a shift in direction. What you do next matters more than the letdown itself. I've spent enough time around sharp leaders to notice something: the ones who build real, lasting careers don't avoid disappointment. They don't pretend it doesn't affect them either. They face it. They let it hurt for a moment, because skipping that step means missing the lesson. Then they ask: • What is this telling me? • What haven't I considered yet? • How could this actually be helping me? That's the turn. Disappointment isn't a dead end. It's feedback. It helps you recalibrate: your story, your expectations, your path forward. I've been there. A rejection that hit me hard at 29 made a lot more sense at 34. It forced me to course-correct in a way I couldn't have seen five years before. The careers that last aren't smooth arcs. They're shaped by rethinking, adapting, and staying with it. So when career disappointment happens, pause. Let it land. Talk it through with someone who gets it. Sometimes a walk and a real conversation are all it takes to see the next step. Then keep going. One closed door doesn't end the game. There's still room to move, and you're still in charge. Next time you take a hit, try this: write down one thing you learned from it. Just one. Then use it. That's how you turn a setback into momentum. What's a time when a rejection pointed you somewhere better?

The most dangerous moment in your career? When you start believing the story others write for you. I've seen countless executives derailed not by failure itself, but by letting others' interpretation of that failure become their identity. I learned this firsthand when a year's worth of transformation work got shelved overnight. Christmas Eve. Plans dead. Team scattered. Could've let that narrative stick. Instead, I chose to write the next chapter. This is what separates those who bounce back from those who stay down. The comeback mindset isn't about pretending setbacks don't hurt. It's about what you do 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵. Here's what I've observed in leaders who master the reset: 1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲    • They acknowledge what happened    • But they write the next chapter    • They refuse to let one moment define their story 2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀    • Ask "what can I learn?" instead of "why me?"    • Study the patterns that led here    • Turn insights into action plans, not just reflection 3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆    • Surround themselves with "what's next?" people    • Not "what happened?" people    • Build relationships that fuel forward momentum 4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹    • Stop wasting energy on external factors    • Channel effort into skills, relationships, and next moves    • Build momentum through small, consistent actions 5. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮    • Remove emotional charge from "failure"    • Extract specific lessons and patterns    • Use setbacks as competitive intelligence 6. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀    • Develop new skills during transition periods    • Build the foundation for what comes next    • View downtime as setup time Remember: The strongest comebacks often look nothing like the original path. Your next chapter doesn't need to make sense to anyone else. It just needs to make sense to you. That's not failure. That's evolution. ----------------------- 🔄 What's one narrative you're rewriting this year? Share below 👇 ➕ Follow Courtney Intersimone for more insights on executive influence and advancement

🚀 Bouncing Back After a Tech Layoff: 6 Steps to Reignite Your Career! 🚀 The tech industry is shifting fast—AI advancements, market shifts, and company restructuring have left many talented professionals displaced. But a layoff doesn’t define your future—it’s a chance to pivot, grow, and come back stronger. Here’s a focused 6-step action plan to get back on track and future-proof your career: ⸻ 📅 Step 1: Reflect, Reassess, and Reset ✅ Take Inventory: Assess where you are in your career. Do you want to continue in your current field or pivot to a growing sector like AI, cybersecurity, or cloud technologies? ✅ Identify Transferable Skills: Pinpoint core strengths like leadership, project management, and problem-solving that are valuable across industries. ✅ Set Clear Goals: Define the types of roles and industries you’re targeting to create a focused career trajectory. ⸻ 📅 Step 2: Upskill with High-Demand Skills ✅ Prioritize Growth Areas: • AI & Automation: Learn tools like Microsoft Copilot, prompt engineering, and AI ethics. • Cybersecurity: Consider certifications like CISSP, CISM, or CompTIA Security+. • Cloud & DevOps: Master Azure, AWS, and Kubernetes to stay ahead. ✅ Leverage Learning Platforms: • Microsoft Learn: Gain expertise in cloud, AI, and security. • LinkedIn Learning: Sharpen leadership and technical skills. • Coursera & edX: Explore specialized courses to stay competitive. ⸻ 📅 Step 3: Optimize Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile ✅ Highlight Measurable Impact: Use action verbs and quantify your achievements to showcase results. ✅ Refresh Your LinkedIn Profile: Optimize your headline, summary, and experience with relevant keywords aligned with your target roles. ✅ Activate #OpenToWork: Let recruiters and your network know you’re ready for the next opportunity. ⸻ 📅 Step 4: Rebuild and Expand Your Network ✅ Reconnect with Former Colleagues: Reach out to mentors, peers, and past connections for advice and introductions. ✅ Engage on LinkedIn: Comment on industry trends, share insights, and participate in relevant discussions. ✅ Attend Virtual and In-Person Events: Join industry webinars, meetups, and tech conferences to expand your network. ⸻ 📅 Step 5: Build a Portfolio or Start a Side Project ✅ Showcase Your Expertise: Contribute to open-source projects, build AI agents, or create a GitHub portfolio. ✅ Document Your Impact: Write case studies or blog posts showcasing your problem-solving approach. ✅ Explore Freelance or Consulting Opportunities: Platforms like Toptal, Upwork, and Catalant can help you stay engaged while exploring full-time roles. ⸻ 📅 Step 6: Launch and Leverage Your Thought Leadership ✅ Post Consistently on LinkedIn: Share insights on AI trends, leadership lessons, and industry reflections. ✅ Engage with Industry Leaders: Comment on relevant content and offer thoughtful perspectives. ✅ Stay Visible and Consistent: Thought leadership builds momentum—commit to sharing value regularly.

Everyone celebrates the win. But if you’re in sales long enough, the real story—the one that shapes you—is what you do after you miss. Sales is the ultimate meritocracy. You’re only as good as your last number. But sometimes—despite working hard, doing the right things, and showing up every day—you still fall short. You question your talent. You wonder what leadership thinks. You think about all the people who did hit. You overanalyze every lost deal. And maybe, just maybe, you start thinking it’s time to move on. But let me offer another perspective. Here’s what I’ve learned about bouncing back—and winning bigger than ever: 🪞 1. Reflect. But Don’t Dwell. When you miss goal, you’re handed a gift: clarity. Look in the mirror—not to beat yourself up, but to learn. 🎯 What could I have done differently that was within my control? 🎯 Did I prospect enough—in the right places? 🎯 Did I tailor my message or fall back on lazy pitches? 🎯 Was I listening more than I talked? Sales is probability. You can’t guarantee success. But you can raise your odds. And that starts with honest diagnosis. 🧠 2. Tweak the Process, Not Your Identity. Missing quota doesn’t mean you’re not great. It means your process needs work. Think about a golfer adjusting their swing. A tiny tweak—almost invisible to the eye—can change everything. That’s what sales is. Don’t focus on the scoreboard. Focus on the reps. The habits. The tempo. The message. The intention. 🚀 3. Execute Like Your Career Depends on It. You’ve diagnosed. You’ve adjusted. Now? Go all in. ⚠️ This is where most people fail. They try the new process once or twice… it feels weird… and they retreat to old habits. But old habits got you here. They won’t get you to quota. When I was nearly run out of my first AE role at Microsoft, I didn’t abandon what made me different—I doubled down. I built my brand. I studied my clients. I followed up relentlessly. I didn’t get better because I hoped I would. I got better because I had no other choice. 🧭 4. Own It. Track It. Hold Yourself Accountable. Don’t just measure results. Measure behavior. ✅ Did I do what I said I would do today? ✅ Did I push myself outside my comfort zone? ✅ Did I follow up the 4th or 5th time when others stopped at 2? ✅ Did I study the customer’s mission like my job depended on it? There’s no scoreboard for effort. But your future self is watching. 🤝 5. Steal Shamelessly from the Best. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Ask your peers what’s working. Get curious. Set your pride aside. Learn how THEY’re winning. Then take what works—and add your spin. Missing goal is painful. But it’s also powerful. It forces you to evolve, adapt, and get gritty again. #SalesLeadership #Resilience #Quota #MindsetMatters #B2BSales #SalesStrategy #CareerGrowth #Motivation #LinkedInForSales

I do Feel worthless — but is it normal? Yes, it is. Everyone, at some point, goes through moments when they feel they’re not enough — not doing enough, not achieving enough, or simply not being valued. It’s a deeply human feeling, especially when things don’t go as planned or when comparisons creep in. Here’s how to make a comeback: 1. Pause and reflect: Identify what triggered the feeling — a failed project, feedback, or comparison. Awareness is the first step. 2. Shift focus to learning: Every setback teaches something. Reframe it as growth, not failure. 3. Revisit your wins: Go through past achievements or feedback to remind yourself of your value. 4. Seek perspective: Talk to a mentor or colleague — fresh viewpoints often restore clarity. 5. Set small wins: Rebuild momentum with achievable goals. Remember, your worth isn’t defined by success or validation — it’s inherent.