by Monica Wiant | Aug 27, 2024 | Personal
I didn’t apply for any jobs this week. I didn’t have any networking chats, attend any webinars, or complete any training modules.Instead, I chaperoned my daughter’s cross country running camp near the Boundary Waters.There were no outlets in my cabin. As the power...
by Monica Wiant | Aug 1, 2024 | Business, Personal
“We decided to go in a different direction.” In my 8-month job search, I’ve received dozens of emails to that effect. Sometimes, it’s accompanied by a vague compliment (“We were impressed with your qualifications”) which rings hollow when it’s obviously a...
by Monica Wiant | May 21, 2024 | Business, Personal
I never wanted this particular expertise, but surviving two layoffs in two years has taught me a few things. Here’s my road map for the 7 phases of unemployment: 1. The Drop. Losing your job can feel like unexpected skydiving. One minute, you’re soaring in your career...
by Monica Wiant | Feb 6, 2024 | Personal
In the fallow season between my last job and my next one, I found a photo that reminded me who I am and showed me where I belong. I was editor of my college newspaper, The Carletonian. The scraggly-haired boy watching me eat cheese fries was the news editor and is now...
by Monica Wiant | Jun 6, 2022 | Uncategorized
I still remember the first time I heard my mom use the Polish phrase “Nalewasz wodę” – “You’re pouring water.” It was in response to an essay I had written for my high school English class. Adding water to soup is a classic Polish kitchen hack, a way of stretching a...
by Monica Wiant | Apr 22, 2022 | Uncategorized
Six weeks ago, I lost a job that I loved. I’ve experienced many emotions since then; here are a few metaphors that have helped me make sense of it all. Breaking up When I got the news in that conference room, I felt all the feelings you’d expect at the end of a...
by Monica Wiant | Apr 14, 2022 | Business, Leadership
I’ve always believed in intellectual diversity, bringing different types of minds together to solve complex problems. In my most recent role, I discovered a specific collaboration that’s particularly powerful: pairing creatives (writers and visual designers) with...
by Monica Wiant | Mar 29, 2022 | Business, Leadership
“Share something you’re proud of.” My husband Sam extended this invitation on a recent team meeting, and it launched a cavalcade of people talking about cool personal projects, achievements, and stories. He saw new sides of people he had worked with for years....
by Monica Wiant | Nov 10, 2021 | Business, Leadership
I can relate to Chris Traeger, the character from the show Parks & Recreation who considers himself a “caddie” to everyone he meets. Encouraging others comes naturally to me, and it’s one of my favorite parts of leading a team. Here are some...
by Monica Wiant | Oct 6, 2021 | Business, Leadership
Photo by Maxime Bouffard on Unsplash Have you ever felt, at the end of a long week, like you just can’t care about one more thing? Empathetic leaders carry the stress of their team along with their own, which can be a recipe for burnout in even the best of times. I...
