Young and Profiting with Hala Taha

Episode: Career Growth Moves That Make You Impossible to Ignore | Presented by MasterClass

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Hala Taha
Featured Experts: Derek Kinney, Patrick Lencioni, Tori Dunlap, Stacy Vanek Smith, Michelle Tillis Lederman, Yasser Khan, Matt Abrahams, Chris Voss, Kim Scott, Tim Sallow, Ken Coleman, Julie Solomon

Episode Overview

This episode of "Young and Profiting" explores actionable strategies for building workplace influence, becoming indispensable in your career, and setting yourself up for long-term growth. Drawing on advice from top-tier experts, Hala Taha deconstructs key topics such as entrepreneurial thinking for employees, cultivating confidence, the power of networking and likability, communication mastery, handling feedback, strategic proximity, and self-promotion. Whether you're aiming for promotion, more impactful relationships, or simply to stand out at work, you’ll find concrete steps and memorable tactics for every professional stage.

Key Discussion Points, Insights, and Timestamps

1. Influence Starts with Mindset: Think Like an Entrepreneur

• [02:07] Derek Kinney: Encourage employees to view their roles as business owners—seeking opportunities to grow revenue, reduce friction, and proactively solve problems.
  • “If an employee says, ‘How can I help you grow this business?’ that's gold.” – Derek Kinney [02:27]
• Hala emphasizes that entrepreneurial thinking unlocks opportunities such as getting equity, especially in startup environments. [02:42]

2. Align with Your Zone of Genius

• [04:33] Patrick Lencioni: Warns against the “achievement trap” of doing what you’re good at, even if you don’t like it, and advocates focusing on work that energizes you.
  • “I thought [my weaknesses] were my superpowers... And you’re young and you’re like, ‘I can power through anything.’ And that doesn't mean we're meant to.” – Patrick Lencioni [04:42]

3. Cultivating Unshakable Confidence

• [06:34] Tori Dunlap: Roots authentic confidence not in skills but deep self-worth—seeing oneself as worthy of opportunity and belonging.
  • “I believe myself worthy of every opportunity, of every piece of love and belonging.” – Tori Dunlap [06:34]
  • “If you believe yourself worthy… you will not be shocked when all that starts happening in your life.” – Tori Dunlap [07:26]

4. Confidence, Storytelling, and How Value is Perceived

• [08:24] Stacy Vanek Smith: Asserts value at work is essentially a story—confidence helps write it.
  • “The value of... the work itself is a story. Confidence is a story.” – Stacy Vanek Smith [08:28]
• Hala and Stacy discuss the correlation between workplace confidence, career advancement, and even salary levels.
• Tips: “Confident people act... speak up in the meeting, ask for a raise, take action.” – Stacy Vanek Smith [09:07]
• Birds of a (Confident) Feather: Surround yourself with people who lift your confidence. [09:37]

5. The Power of Likability and Relationship Networking

• [10:47] Michelle Tillis Lederman: Reviews research showing likable people are viewed as more trustworthy and innovative—ultimately, it results in higher influence and more opportunities.
  • “Your ideas are received and acted upon, so you are listened to… you are seen as more innovative…” – Michelle Tillis Lederman [10:56]
• Authentic networking: Shift from transactional, short-term focus (“networking for need”) to genuine, curiosity-driven relationship-building. [12:13]
• Practical connection tips:
  • Get personal, not just down to business. [13:20]
  • Think long-term, not short-term.
  • Focus on what you and the other person can build together, not just what you can get.

6. Mastering Communication and Personal Branding

• [16:15] Yasser Khan: Every interaction is a stage—what you say defines your personal and company brand.
  • “When you open your mouth, that is your brand.” – Yasser Khan [16:15]
• “Public speaking” is every conversation, not just being on stage. Treat every interaction with care. [16:57]
• [17:57] Matt Abrahams: Spontaneity comes from preparation—know your audience, have key themes and supporting stories ready (think “mise en place” for conversation).
  • Use environment observations for easy small talk—e.g., commenting on everyone wearing blue at a conference. [19:37]

Presence, Voice, and Body Language

• “It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.” – Matt Abrahams [20:22]
  • Appear confident by making yourself “big”—shoulder blades down, head held straight.
  • Vary your voice for novelty and engagement.

7. Negotiation and Leading Through Questions

• [22:58] Chris Voss: Master of negotiation, shares the “illusion of control”—using “what” and “how” questions shifts the dynamic and empowers others.
  • “People love to be asked what to do... You give them the illusion of control when you ask those questions.” – Chris Voss [22:58]
  • Example: “How am I supposed to do that?” helps raise obstacles gently without confrontation. [23:46]

8. Asking for—and Handling—Feedback

• [25:11] Kim Scott: Feedback is a cornerstone of career growth. Solicit it with intent to understand (not just respond), reward candor, and openly (but respectfully) disagree when needed.
  • “You want to start by soliciting it... Think about how you’re going to embrace the discomfort...” – Kim Scott [25:23]
• If you disagree with feedback, voice partial agreement and request time to process—then follow up. [26:36]
  • “Some of my best professional relationships started with a good, respectful disagreement.” – Kim Scott [26:45]

9. When to Move: Escaping Toxic Workplaces

• [27:49] Tim Sallow: Describes confronting a manager at Microsoft who refused to develop him.
  • “He looks me dead in my eyes and he says, ‘It’s not my job to grow you.’ And that’s when I realized...great manager, awful leader.” – Tim Sallow [27:57]
• Sometimes, leaving is the best move for growth, especially if you’re otherwise excelling but not being supported.

10. The Proximity Principle: Go Where the Opportunity Is

• [30:13] Ken Coleman: Proximity to the right people and places is a shortcut to opportunity.
  • “In order to do what I want to do... I’ve got to be around people that are doing it and in places where it is happening.” – Ken Coleman [30:13]
• Opportunity is a cycle: right people lead to right places and vice versa.

11. Self-Promotion: BYOP (Be Your Own Publicist)

• [32:57] Julie Solomon: Owning and broadcasting your own value—advocating for yourself clearly and confidently—is non-negotiable.
  • “If you’re not going to toot your own horn, who is?” – Julie Solomon [32:57]
  • “You can’t hide yourself and expect to be seen.” – Julie Solomon [34:00]
• Hala closes with the call to action: Claim your value, speak up, and act like a leader now.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If an employee says, ‘How can I help you grow this business?’ that's gold.” – Derek Kinney [02:27]
• “I thought [my weaknesses] were my superpowers... And you’re young and you’re like, ‘I can power through anything.’ And that doesn't mean we're meant to.” – Patrick Lencioni [04:42]
• “I believe myself worthy of every opportunity, of every piece of love and belonging.” – Tori Dunlap [06:34]
• “The value of... the work itself is a story. Confidence is a story.” – Stacy Vanek Smith [08:28]
• “When you open your mouth, that is your brand.” – Yasser Khan [16:15]
• “People love to be asked what to do... You give them the illusion of control when you ask those questions.” – Chris Voss [22:58]
• “You want to start by soliciting it... Think about how you’re going to embrace the discomfort...” – Kim Scott [25:23]
• “He looks me dead in my eyes and he says, ‘It’s not my job to grow you.’ And that’s when I realized...great manager, awful leader.” – Tim Sallow [27:57]
• “In order to do what I want to do... I’ve got to be around people that are doing it and in places where it is happening.” – Ken Coleman [30:13]
• “If you’re not going to toot your own horn, who is?” – Julie Solomon [32:57]
• “You can’t hide yourself and expect to be seen.” – Julie Solomon [34:00]

Flowing Summary and Action Steps

• Start acting like a business owner: Show initiative and align your effort with the company’s mission to become indispensable.
• Focus on your natural strengths: Spend more effort on tasks that energize you to boost both your performance and fulfillment.
• Cultivate authentic self-worth: Confidence begins with a belief in your own value—others will follow your lead.
• Master communication and body language: Every conversation is a branding opportunity; practice and review your interactions for improvement.
• Ask questions and seek feedback: Use “what” and “how” to guide conversations and pursue honest input—handle disagreement with professionalism.
• Invest in relationships intentionally: Ditch transactional networking; focus on long-term, genuine connections.
• Know when to stay or go: A supportive environment is critical—don’t be afraid to move on if growth is blocked.
• Get close to power: Show up in the right rooms with the right people—opportunity follows visibility.
• Promote your achievements: Speak up about your value; being visible is a prerequisite for influence.

Essential Advice in Hala’s Tone

Don’t wait for someone to invite you to lead or to shine. Begin today—treat your job like your own business, communicate with impact, build authentic relationships, learn from every conversation, and make sure your value gets noticed. The room listens to those who believe they deserve to be heard—sit tall, speak up, and watch what happens!