Jordan Iseral

When we review a new project, we approach it like a conversation. We designate who will take ownership and ensure that they are passionate about what they are taking on. I always have an open-door policy, so my colleagues can come to me anytime with questions, concerns, ideas, etc. I've found it helpful to review the meticulous details of a project upfront and ask if anyone has any questions or needs clarification before starting. I then offer them the opportunity to come to me at any point. I also assign deadlines to keep us all on track and ensure those deadlines are feasible. Approaching this way gives total autonomy to your teammates and empowers them to dive in and take ownership, which builds trust and fosters deeper connections.

I've found that it's helpful to understand your team's preferences for communication upfront. Some prefer text, email, phone, chat, etc., so you can all agree on the best methods of communication for various scenarios. I would like to have two recurring check-ins during the week, during which we will provide a prepared agenda and leave with action items. This helps everyone stay aligned and keeps the workflow streamlined. We also leverage Google Workspace to share documents and templates for projects. I always offer my time to my team and reiterate after explaining tasks that I am available for any questions or concerns. I ensure the team understands the request and vision before moving on to new items.

Learning the strengths and weaknesses is important for proper delegation and growth. Further, exploring what work projects interest individuals within your team helps ensure you provide work that inspires them and sparks new creative concepts. Leading with trust and authenticity helps build rapport within your team, makes them feel free to be themselves, and instills confidence in their work efforts.

You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. You should feel confident asking questions, setting expectations, and being sold rather than only selling yourself. Ask yourself, what is my motivation for wanting this job? Have I enjoyed the people I've met with? Do I feel a synergetic fit? Is this somewhere that aligns with my values and aspirations? Is this something that aligns with my goals and objectives? Try to determine what you will gain from the opportunity instead of only focusing on securing it. Be intentional with your interviewing and find out what is most important to you and what you are willing and not willing to compromise on.

Before interviewing, you should look at websites like Glassdoor to gain insights into the company culture. This will help you understand what you're walking into and equip you with the right questions. You should also check out the company blog and social accounts. Then, you can ask open-ended questions that will lead to more insightful answers versus asking straight-up how their company culture is because they will always position it positively. Whereas, once you start getting granular, you will be able to better piece together the bigger picture. You can also request to speak to additional team members as you interview to gain a better sense/holistic view of what you're entering into.

In addition to the content you put out and your efforts to showcase your thought leadership efforts, be sure that your LinkedIn profile includes all your experience to highlight your brand. This can involve creating a curated banner image, selecting an appropriate headshot, crafting an engaging bio, requesting recommendations, listing skills, providing links and background to publications featuring you, providing awards/training/certifications, links to connect with your current contact information, and using keywords that tie to your holistic professional offerings.