About last week…

We’ve hit the half-year mark. How time flies!

How are you doing? Still surviving? Thriving? Transitioning? Or at a crossroads?

Wherever you are in your current journey, I’m cheering you on.

And whatever fire-breathing dragons (obstacles) come your way, you don’t have to face them alone.

Others might have faced the same, slayed the dragons, and survived to tell the story.

You can be one of the survivors, too.

But first, be brave despite the doubts, calm amidst the storm, and strong against the blows.

And perhaps, it’s time to sit down for a bit, enjoy some sun, and gain some peace.

A major opportunity or breakthrough will soon come your way!

Now, let me share with you about last week’s webinar “STEM Career Talks & Networking”. We’ve gained lots of new insights and stories, and I’d love to share some of my key takeaways with you:

Ace a career change through a 4-step method (LEAP framework)

Look inward. Your next career transition should be rooted in purpose. Evaluate your current situation. Are you escaping or running toward a goal? Acknowledge the fears. If you’re not aware of your fears, you cannot defeat them. Plan. Think long-term; there are no shortcuts or quick wins.

Career transition from Finance to IT

Are you a transitioner, a transformer, or a trailblazer? A transitioner leverages current expertise (e.g., finance) and upskills in an adjacent area such as tech. A transformer identifies a niche area and gets certified or skilled in that niche, e.g., from STEM generalist to ESG specialist. A trailblazer builds something (entrepreneur) or innovates within the company (intrapreneur).

Cross-cultural crash-course

Use these two tools to guide your cross-cultural interactions: Erin Meyer’s The Culture Map and the Richard Lewis’ LMR Model.

Based on The Culture Map, there are 8 scales to visualize culture.

1. Communication: low-context vs high-context

2. Feedback: direct vs indirect

3. Persuading: application vs principles

4. Leading: egalitarian vs. hierarchical

5. Deciding: consensual vs. top-down

6. Trusting: task-based vs. relationship-based

7. Disagreeing: confrontational vs. avoid confrontation

8. Scheduling: linear-time vs. flexible-time

Based on Lewis model, a cultural dimension can be linear active, reactive, or multi-reactive.

Together, we thrive.

Support the quiet builders. Gain mentors, or become one. And don’t forget, you’re never alone.

If you missed the webinar, no worries! You can download the presentations here for free.

PS. Do you have questions that were not covered in the webinar? Or other insights that you’d like to share? What are your biggest worries, obstacles, or challenges to switching careers? Feel free to reply to this email. And help improve future webinars/events by answering this quick survey.

PPS. Free coaching for 5 dreamers! Do you dream of making a bold move, transitioning to a new path, or creating a new set of expertise? I offer a free sample coaching session each, for 5 people. If you haven’t experienced my coaching before, book a session here to get started.

Tin here! Welcome to Busy Season Journals, a newsletter made especially for you by a fellow accountant/auditor, adventurer, and coach-guide. I write about my adventures as an accountant and auditor and everything in between. You get deeper insights and personal stories on how to shape a happy, meaningful journey.

Interested in 1:1 coaching/consulting/DIY digital products?

View my latest and current offers through my website.

What do you think of today’s newsletter? Suggestions or ideas are always welcome through [email protected].