Will McTighe

Talent thrives in the right environment.
And withers in the wrong one:

At some point, we all work in roles that don't fit.

The most common sign you're in the wrong spot:

Your strengths aren't used in your job.

Take me:
I forced myself to be good at banking
But it didn't use my ability to build relationships.

You're never going to be as good,
At things that don't use your superpowers.

So what can you do when this happens?

1/ Identify your superpowers
↳ Ask your colleagues: “what do you know me for?“
↳ Ask your friends when they see you in flow
↳ Look for patterns in their answers

2/ Treat every job like an experiment
↳ Pay attention to what energizes vs. drains you
↳ Use each experience to learn about yourself

3/ Start posting online
↳ Share what you wish you'd known 2 years ago
↳ Or what you're learning right now
↳ The right people will find you

📌 Want to make change?
↳ Start today: https://saywhat.ai/course/

♻ Repost to help others make change!

Stop falling into this job interview trap.
Understand what they’re REALLY asking:

I've gotten several six-figure jobs from good preparation,
And it's about understanding the question behind the question:

“how soon can you start working here?” ⇒ “will you be respectful when you leave?”
“what are your weaknesses?” ⇒ “are you self-aware?”

Here are 12 tricky job questions and answers to help you stand out:

1/ How soon can you start working here?

Eg: “I'd need about three weeks to properly wrap up my current projects and do a thorough handover with my team.“

2/ What are your weaknesses?

Eg: “I tend to get caught up in the details, so I've started using the 80/20 rule to help me focus on what really moves the needle.“

3/ Why do you want to leave your current job?

Eg: “While I've learned a lot in my current role, I'm really excited about the chance to lead larger projects and mentor junior team members here.“

4/ What sets you apart from other candidates?

Eg: “I've consistently found ways to automate repetitive tasks in my team, which saved us about 10 hours every week last quarter.“

5/ What are your salary expectations?

Eg: “I’m open to offers that are in-line with industry standards and will consider other benefits as part of the package. What is your salary range for the role?“

6/ Tell me about a time you've failed at something.

Eg: “Last year I underestimated a project timeline and missed our launch date, which taught me to build in buffer time and do more thorough planning upfront.“

7/ Describe a time you've delivered bad news to your boss.

Eg: “When our key client was unhappy with the initial design, I came to my boss early with both the feedback and three alternative approaches we could try.“

8/ Describe an ethical dilemma you've faced.

Eg: “I discovered a colleague was taking credit for team members' work, so I gathered evidence and brought it up privately with them.“

9/ Tell me about a time you missed a deadline.

Eg: “I misjudged how long the API integration would take, but now I break down complex tasks into smaller milestones and check in with stakeholders weekly.“

10/ Describe a time you've disagreed with a coworker.

Eg: “When we disagreed on the marketing strategy, I suggested we run a small test of both approaches to let the data guide our decision.“

11/ Describe a time when you've disagreed and defended your decision.

Eg: “While the team wanted to rush the launch, I stood firm on running full security tests first and explained the risks we'd be taking otherwise.“

12/ What would your recent managers say is your greatest strength?

Eg: “She'd probably mention how I can take complex technical concepts and explain them in a way that makes sense to non-technical stakeholders. [Insert Example]“

—

♻ Repost this to help your network to crack their next interview.

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Your next big break isn't in your inbox.


We've normalized being available 24/7.

Responding to every notification. 
Checking email obsessively.

But here's the reality: 
The work that will change your life isn't in your notifications.

It's in the deep focus you've been avoiding.
The hard problems you haven't solved.
The creative work you keep postponing.

Real progress demands darkness:

1/ Turn everything off for 2 hours daily 
↳ No emails, no calls, no exceptions 
↳ This is where breakthrough work happens

2/ Embrace the discomfort of silence 
↳ If you're feeling anxious about missing messages, you're doing it right 
↳ Your best ideas emerge in stillness

3/ Schedule deep work like meetings 
↳ Block your calendar for focused creation 
↳ Treat it as non-negotiable

4/ Measure output, not activity 
↳ Stop confusing busy with productive 
↳ Judge your day by what you created, not what you responded to

Hard truth:
The people who achieve great things aren't very available.

They're too busy building.

Your inbox will always be full. 
Your notifications will never stop.

Your dreams?
They're waiting in the dark.
Go there.

📌 Ready to take the first step?
↳ Start posting online with my 120 post ideas + AI prompts: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

P.S. What's your top tip for getting the real work done?
Let me know. 👇

--

Image credit: theopeninvite (Instagram)

Messy Career? Read this: 👇


When we look at our LinkedIn feed,
Everyone's career looks perfect.
A straight line to success.

But there is so much that we're all hiding:
• The failed projects.
• The career U-turns.
• The “what was I thinking?“ moments.

Truth is, we're all figuring it out.
And in 2025, that's just normal.
Embracing it is even an advantage.

Why?
Because the most interesting opportunities come from unexpected places.
The skills you think are “irrelevant“ today might be your edge tomorrow.

But we still:
• Hide our failures
• Delete old job titles
• Pretend each move was “strategic“

Stop.

And remember:
• Every pivot adds to your toolkit.
• Every failure makes you stronger.
• Every “mess“ teaches you resilience.

The people winning right now aren't doing everything perfectly.

They're learning from every turn.

They're building while others doubt.

They're connecting the dots others miss.

Your messy career isn't a bug.
It's a feature.

Own it.

One of my craziest career decisions?
Posting on LinkedIn.

Want to do the same?
Here are 120 post ideas to get started: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

♻️ Repost if you're proud of your non-linear path

P.S. What did your messiest career moment teach you?
Share below 👇

--

Quote Credit: My Man Timothy Armoo

The fact that every top performer knows about soft skills:

Soft skills are the most desired skills for 91% of management jobs.

If you want to be a top performer, you need to work on them.

Here are 8 soft skills, why they matter and how to show them:

1/ Lifelong Learning
↳ Learn new skills and tools like AI.

Why it is important: Keeps you relevant in an evolving job market.

2/ Emotional Intelligence
↳ Acknowledge others' feelings and listen carefully.

Why it is important: Enhances your teamwork and conflict resolution.

3/ Persuasion
↳ Inspire others with your energy.

Why it is important: You need the help of others to achieve your goals.

4/ Adaptability
↳ Be open to new ideas.

Why it is important: Helps you handle changes in your environment.

5/ Dependability
↳ Meet deadlines and keep commitments.

Why it is important: Builds trust with your team.

6/ Time Management
↳ Learn how to say no and prioritize effectively.

Why it is important: Enables you to create the time to achieve your goals.

7/ Resilience
↳ Maintain a positive attitude and focus on solutions during stressful projects.

Why it is important: Life is filled with setbacks. Resilience helps you overcome them.

8/ Communication
↳ Be clear and direct.

Why it is important: Prevents misunderstandings and improves team performance.

Develop your soft skills to stand out from the pack.

---

♻️ Repost to help your network become top performers.

📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this sheet?

Try my free newsletter Level Up.

Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gM_T6P9w...

Success isn’t just about persistence.
It’s about knowing when to move on.

After speaking to hundreds of people about this, I’ve realized that so many get stuck in the wrong place:

↳ Because change is scary.
↳ Because you’re comfortable.
↳ Because you’re waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment to leave.

But here’s the truth: The longer you stay, the more likely you’ll get stuck.

Here are 7 signs it might be time to move on:

1/ You’ve Stopped Growing.
↳ It feels like you’ve hit the ceiling. No growth. No learning. Just stuck.

2/ You’re Undervalued.
↳ It's not about getting a gold star every day. It’s about consistent hard work going unnoticed.

3/ You’re Always Waiting for the 'Right Time'.
↳ You keep telling yourself, “Just a little longer.“ News flash: there is no right time.

4/ You’ve Lost the Passion.
↳ Monday dread ruins your Sundays. The excitement is gone.

5/ You Don’t Get Along With Your Manager.
↳ Work feels tense and negative. You’re on edge, worried about their reactions.

6/ Your Goals Have Changed.
↳ It’s natural to want new things as you grow. Time to realign your life.

7/ You Constantly Think ‘What If’.
↳ You talk about leaving but never act. Fear of uncertainty holds you back.

Be brave enough to admit you walked into the wrong room.

And walk out when it’s time.

The biggest change I've made recently?
Posting online.

Here's your playbook: https://lnkd.in/g7cAJNMT

—

Quote Credit: Thinking Minds on Instagram

—

♻ Repost to help others create change.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Job security is dead.

But your growth isn't:

It's tough even at the best of companies.

Why?
Because they can't guarantee what they don't have:

Certainty about the future.

Think about it:
Our parents worked for one company for decades.
That stability felt normal.
Until it wasn't.

Why?
The business landscape moves too fast now.

Look around:
Even major companies are cutting jobs.
260K tech workers lost jobs at healthy companies last year.

And it's not just tech.
The average lifespan of even the most stable companies is shrinking.

Your next job?
It might not exist yet.

Here's your new playbook:

1/ Build your online influence
↳ Share your daily work wins on LinkedIn
➕ Teach what you learned the hard way
➕ Connect with mentors who have walked your path

2/ Become future-proof
↳ Learn to use AI like your career depends on it
➕ Teach your colleagues too
➕ Become the go-to person on new niches

3/ Build your greatest asset: You
↳ Block time for learning and growth
➕ Invest in relationships outside work
➕ Pick projects that develop new skills

The truth?
Real job security isn't about your employer.
It's about being too valuable to ignore.

Ready to build your safety net?
Start building your brand today: https://saywhat.ai/course/

P.S. Which step resonates with you most? 👇

—

♻️ Repost to help others build their dream life.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Everyone sees the wins.

No one sees the hard work behind closed doors.

Behind every moment in the spotlight are thousands of hours in the shadows.

“They were so lucky.”
“They must be so talented.”
“I wish it came that easily for me.”

Don’t get me wrong, talent matters.
But the real difference lies in the work no one witnesses.

When no one is clapping for you.
When its just you believing your dream.

What people dismiss as “luck” is often:
- Sacrificed relationships and social lives
- Late nights after everyone's gone home
- Early mornings before the world is awake

We see the highlight reel.
The awards. The recognition. The celebrations.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Michael Phelps trained every single day for 6 years.
You saw 28 Olympic medals.

Michael Jordan worked out at 5am every morning.
You saw him win 6 NBA championships.

Serena Williams trained 8 hours daily every summer as a kid.
You saw her win 23 Grand Slams.

Success is built in empty rooms:
- When cameras are off
- When no one's watching
- When others have gone home

Your next breakthrough lives in those quiet moments.
In the work that no one sees.
In showing up when it's just you and your craft.

📌 The easiest way to get luckier?
Start posting online.
Here’s your playbook: https://saywhat.ai/course/

♻️ Repost to remind others that greatness is built in silence.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Success isn't from knowing everything.

It's from admitting you don't.

Most people are terrified of looking stupid:
• They won't ask “dumb“ questions in meetings
• They nod along pretending to understand
• They stay quiet when confused

But the most successful people have no problem looking like idiots.
For a long long time.

When they want to learn something,
they ask others or teach themselves:

Look around:

✅ Elon taught himself how to build rockets
✅ Zuckerberg learned coding alone
✅ Jobs studied calligraphy for fun

They all had one thing in common:
They became masters of self-education.

Here's how to start teaching yourself:

1/ Pick one thing at a time.
↳ Don’t spread yourself too thin - you won’t make an impact.
↳ Focus on learning one skill for 30 days.

2/ Learn by doing.
↳ Reading, consuming alone isn’t learning.
↳ Start a small project - learn what you need as you go.

3/ Learn from someone 2 steps ahead.
↳ Learn from their mistakes - reverse engineer their success.
↳ Take notes on what they do differently.

The difference between winners and the rest?

It's not degrees anymore.
It's how fast you learn and grow. ⚡

Stop asking for permission.
It’s yours to take.

—

The most important thing I wish I started building sooner?
My personal brand.

📌 Here’s the playbook that got me to >370k followers
With 120 post ideas + my AI writing prompts: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Remember:
The most important teacher you'll ever have? It's you.

—

♻ Repost to help your network teach themselves.

➕ Want more? Follow me Will McTighe

10 visuals that will change how you think:


Visuals by Michael J Boorman (Give him a follow).

Here are three lessons that stuck with me:

↳ Fear has killed more dreams than failure.
↳ Consistency builds momentum.
↳ If you want to change your life - start with your habits.

10 Mindset Shifts I wish I listened to earlier:

1/ Need a creativity boost? Go for a walk.
↳ Your best ideas don’t come to you in a Zoom meeting.
↳ The largest creativity boost comes from walking in nature.

2/ Sleep is your best problem solver.
↳ Every bad day ends.
↳ Rest resets your perspective.

3/ Chasing big dreams? Change your habits first.
↳ Your habits, good or bad, got you here.
↳ Daily choices decide your success.

4/ It’s you vs. you.
↳ You only see others’ highlight reels on social media. Not the struggles.
↳ End the negative self-talk and focus on your growth instead.

5/ You will not succeed without consistency.
↳ Show up, even when you’d rather stay in bed.
↳ Nobody pays you for brilliant ideas. They pay for results.

6/ The goal gets you started. Systems keeps you going.
↳ Lock in on the system, and results take care of themselves.
↳ Build systems that make success inevitable.

7/ The beginning is always embarrassing.
↳ Learn to love it.
↳ Your mistakes won’t kill you. They're just the price of progress.

8/ Fear kills more dreams than failure.
↳ Failure stings but teaches. Fear just paralyzes with no learnings.
↳ Fail, learn, and keep getting better.

9/ Find your direction first – then work hard.
↳ Hustle means nothing without focus.
↳ Growth is pointless if it’s not moving you closer to your goal.

10/ Success needs both hard AND smart work.
↳ Don’t just grind – work strategically.
↳ Learn from others. You’re not the first to face this challenge.

P.S. Which lesson hits home for you?

#3 is my favorite - good habits create great futures.

--

♻️ Repost this to help your network learn these lessons!

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Struggling to crack job interviews?
Nearly everyone has made this mistake at least once:

Showing up unprepared.

According to Harvard Business School, lack of preparation is one of the most common reasons people fail interviews.

When you prepare well:
↳ You feel confident.
↳ You stand out from the rest.
↳ You can ask great questions.

Prepare for these 6 questions that come up (nearly) every time:

1/ Tell me your story
2/ What are your weaknesses?
3/ Why do you want to work here?
4/ What sets you apart from other candidates?
5/ What is the hardest problem you’ve ever worked on?
6/ Tell me about a missed deadline and how you handled it.

End your interview by asking thoughtful questions like:

1/ Can you describe a typical day in this role?
2/ What are the growth opportunities in this role?
3/ What skills are you looking for that I could bring?
4/ What does success look like for this role in the next six months?

Remember: It’s not just about showing your skills and experience; it’s about leaving a mark.

P.S. What is your favorite non-obvious job interview preparation tip?

----

♻️ Repost this to help your network land their dream job!

📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this?
1. Just follow me Will McTighe
2. Sign up for my free Level Up Community at https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Be the person who makes things easier.. not harder.

As my friend Chris Donnelly says, it will do wonders for your career and friendships.

- - - - - - - -

Repost to get the message out there.

Real winners skip most 'trendy life hacks'.

They just master the basics:

I used to chase every productivity hack:

❌ Reading every book 
❌ Following every guru 
❌ Drowning in Notion templates

Until I realized the best ignore most of it.

They focus on tiny habits that compound daily.

Here's the science-backed system that works:

1️⃣ One workout 
↳ 60-min exercise block to start your day 
↳ Increases productivity by 15% at work

2️⃣ Two major priorities 
↳ Set just 2 major priorities each day. No more. 
↳ Achieve 2 key goals = top 8% of performers

3️⃣ Three Stanley 1913's Full of Water 
↳ Morning (mental clarity) 
↳ Noon (performance boost) 
↳ 3PM (afternoon energy spike)

Your Stanley = your brain's best friend 💧

4️⃣ Four genuine compliments 
↳ Give 4 specific compliments daily 
↳ Builds psychological safety + team performance

5️⃣ Five-Minute Journal 
↳ Brain dump for 5 mins each morning 
↳ Reduces stress & improves emotional regulation

6️⃣ Six deep breaths 
↳ Reset stress levels instantly 
↳ Navy SEAL tested, executive approved

7️⃣ Seven minutes of sunlight 
↳ Natural light first thing every day 
↳ Science shows: Morning light = better sleep

8️⃣ 8,000 steps daily 
↳ Track 8,000 steps, hit it consistently 
↳ Walking meetings, lunch strolls, evening walks


9️⃣ Nine hours offline 
↳ 8 hours sleep + 1 hour winddown 
↳ Screen-free recovery = better sleep!

The math is simple: 
↳ Small habits × Consistency = Exponential growth

Elite performance isn't about massive changes. 
It's about tiny improvements, multiplied daily.

P.S. Which habit will you start with?

--

The easiest win? Habit #3. 
↳ One Stanley Tumbler 
↳ Three refills 
↳ Instant energy & focus upgrade

📌 Ready to transform your day? 
↳ Grab your Stanley Tumbler: https://alnk.to/2FDmIJD 
(Limited edition colors available now)

♻️ Repost these habits if they resonated
(or if you thought the images were cute)

#stanley1913partner

8 Types of Confidence:
(And How to Build them)

I used to think confidence was simple.
Just one dimensional.
You either had it, or you didn't.

But over a decade in business,
I've learned there are actually 8 distinct types,
And each one needs to be built separately.

Just because you have one,
doesn’t mean you have all of them:

1/ Decision Confidence
↳ Trust in your judgment under pressure
↳ Built through learning from both wins and failures

2/ Comeback Confidence
↳ Bouncing back from setbacks
↳ The “quiet confidence“ that experience builds

3/ Learning Confidence
↳ Being comfortable not knowing
↳ The confidence to say “I don't know, but I'll figure it out“

4/ Values-Based Confidence
↳ Knowing what you stand for
↳ The courage to maintain boundaries

5/ Competence-Based Confidence
↳ Comes from mastering skills and knowing your stuff
↳ The most reliable but slowest to build

6/ Social Confidence
↳ Ability to navigate relationships and networking
↳ Often mistaken for extroversion (it's not)

7/ Body Language Confidence
↳ How you carry yourself
↳ The confidence others can see

8/ Situational Confidence
↳ Mastery of specific environments or contexts
↳ Knowing exactly when you're in your element

Most people rely only on competence and social confidence.

But here's the truth:
The most successful leaders I know
have intentionally developed all 8 types,
And know exactly when they're needed.

Which of these 8 types feels strongest for you right now?
Share below 👇

—

♻️ Repost to help others build authentic confidence

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this

The first question in every job interview:

“Tell me your story.”

The way you answer this question sets the tone for the rest of your interview.

Use my 5-step framework to craft YOUR story:

1/ Set The Stage.
2/ Outline Your Journey.
3/ Highlight Your Milestones.
4/ Connect Your Story to This Job.
5/ Share Your Aspirations.

Here are 7 tips to remember while telling your story:

1/ Under 3 Mins: Keep it brief and impactful.
2/ Make It Personal: Add reflections, lessons, etc.
3/ Connect Emotionally: Make it relatable by sharing challenges.
4/ Positive Body Language: Make eye contact, smile, use your hands.
5/ Focus On Your Actions: Discuss what YOU did and learned.
6/ Practice: Rehearse until you sound relaxed.
7/ Keep It Real & Positive: End on a high note.

Don’t just recite facts.

Use this opportunity to tell a memorable story.

P.S. What is your top tip for telling your story in interviews?

---

♻️ Repost this to help your network ace their interviews!

📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this?
1. Just follow me Will McTighe
2. Sign up for my free Level Up Community at https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

“Overnight success“ is a myth.

It just doesn't exist.

Most people just:
• See the highlight reel
• Get jealous of how “lucky“ they think you were
• Miss the years of late nights and early mornings

The truth is, success is a game of compound interest.

It moves slower than you can imagine,
Then faster than you can handle.

The visible part - your “big break“ - is just the tip of the iceberg.
Everything meaningful happens in the depths below.

Underneath the surface there's always:
• Years of hard work and rejection
• Showing up daily when no one's watching
• Building relationships before you need them

Want to build something real?

Start here on LinkedIn.
Share your journey.
Help others grow.

Your breakthrough isn't found.
It's built - one day, one post, one lesson at a time.

Want to create your own luck?

📌 Start posting online.
Here's your playbook: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

—

♻️ Repost to help others embrace the journey.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

—

Quote Credit: Justin Welsh

Most people don't fail at chasing their dreams.

They just never start.

Why?

Because failure stings.

It makes us question ourselves.
It exposes our doubts.
It challenges our ego.

But here's the truth:

Every successful person you admire has failed.
Multiple times.
In public.

The only difference?
They kept going.

While others stay:
• Stuck in soul-crushing jobs
• Dreaming about “someday“ ideas
• Watching opportunities pass by

The winners simply refuse to let failure be the end.
They make it their beginning.
Just a step on a journey.

📌 Ready to join them?
Here's your playbook: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

♻️ Repost to help others embrace failure.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

8 things you should NEVER put on your resume.

(Remove them if you want to get hired)

After reviewing >1,000 resumes and helping hundreds land jobs,
I always see the same mistakes.

When your resume has these red flags:
🚩 Walls of text
🚩 Generic claims
🚩 Empty buzzwords

I wish more people used tools like Teal’s AI resume builder.

Because if they make these mistakes,
Their resumes are just gonna get ignored.

Here are 8 things to remove immediately:

1/ Generic soft skills

❌ “Strong communication and leadership abilities“

✅ “Led daily standup meetings for 15-person team, maintaining 98% on-time project delivery rate“

2/ Fluffy job descriptions

❌ “Responsible for overseeing various projects including daily operations, team management...“

✅ “Delivered 5 major projects ($3M total) ahead of schedule, saving 25% on budgeted costs“

3/ Achievements without results

❌ “Managed social media accounts“

✅ “Grew LinkedIn following from 2K to 15K in 4 months, driving 30% more inbound leads“

4/ Walls of Text
❌ “During my tenure at ABC Corp, I was responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies while coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal campaign performance and stakeholder satisfaction across multiple channels...“

✅ “Led 3 marketing campaigns at ABC Corp: • Q4 revenue: +65% ($2.1M) • Customer acquisition cost: -40% • Team efficiency: +25%“

5/ Meaningless buzzwords

❌ “Dynamic professional with proven success“

✅ “Increased customer retention by 40% through data-driven experience improvements“

6/ Irrelevant personal interests

❌ “Enjoy cooking and watching movies“

✅ Either remove or make it count: “Build custom PCs (demonstrates technical aptitude)“

7/ Outdated experience

❌ Multiple paragraphs about your first job 8 years ago

✅ One line showing growth: “Promoted twice in 24 months, from junior to team lead“

8/ Random skills

❌ List of 25 random tools you've barely used

✅ “Core stack: Python (7 years), AWS (built 5 cloud architectures), Figma (led 3 product redesigns)“

💡 The winning formula: Specific numbers + Real impact + Human touch = Interviews

When I was job hunting,
I wish I'd had Teal's AI-powered Resume Builder.

Teal helps you get rid of the fluff and customize it,
For every job application.

Their job application tracker also helps you stay on top of your job search,
It would have saved me dozens of rejected applications!

✅ Try it free today: creatormatch.co/kgjvpo

—

♻️ Share this with someone job hunting

➕ Follow me for more career growth tips

#TealPartner

10 Uncommon Habits of Top Performers
(That most totally miss)

Everyone's fighting for the same jobs.
Same degrees. Same certifications. Same skills.

The market is flooded with credentials.
But credentials don't create results.
Learning and adapting does.

Most people consume content,
Then move on.

While top performers take action immediately.

Here's what actually moves the needle:

↳ Being reliable
↳ Showing up daily
↳ Knowing how to learn
↳ Being easy to work with

Want to make real impact?

1/ Focus on one skill at a time.
↳ Don't spread yourself too thin.
↳ Give yourself 30 days to learn one - then move to the next.

2/ Learn in public.
↳ Write online about your progress.
↳ Talk about what worked and what didn't.

3/ Apply new knowledge immediately.
↳ Don't just read - do.
↳ Plug it into a real project or mock task.

Want to know the real difference?

While most people collect knowledge,
Top performers are already applying it.

They're getting results while others are still thinking about starting.
And that's exactly what you can do.

One thing every top performer is doing?
Writing online and building their brand.

📌 You can do it too.
Here are 120 post ideas + my AI writing prompts: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Action beats credentials.
Real world experience beats theory.

P.S. Which skill do you want to master next? 👇

—

♻ Repost to help your network become top performers.

➕ Want more? Follow me Will McTighe

Success isn't from knowing everything.

It's from admitting you don't.

Most people are terrified of looking stupid:
• They won't ask "dumb" questions in meetings
• They nod along pretending to understand
• They stay quiet when confused

But the most successful people have no problem looking like idiots.
For a long long time.

When they want to learn something, they ask others or teach themselves:

Look around:

✅ Elon taught himself how to build rockets
✅ Zuckerberg learned coding alone
✅ Jobs studied calligraphy for fun

They all had one thing in common:
They became masters of self-education.

Here's how to start teaching yourself:

1/ Pick one thing at a time.

Don’t spread yourself too thin - you won’t make an impact. Focus on learning one thing at a time.

2/ Learn by doing.

Reading alone isn’t learning.
Start a small project - learn what you need as you go.

3/ Learn from someone 2 steps ahead.

Learn from their mistakes - reverse engineer their success.
Take notes on what they do differently.

The difference between winners and the rest?
It's how fast you learn and grow.

Stop asking for permission.
It’s yours to take.

The most important thing I wish I started building sooner?
My personal brand.

📌 Here’s the playbook that got me to >450k followers
With 120 post ideas + my AI writing prompts: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Remember:
The most important teacher you'll ever have? It's you.

♻ Repost to help your network teach themselves.

➕ Want more? Follow me Will McTighe

Everyone starts off with a dream:
• A business they want to start
• A career they want to build
• A life they want to create

But then life gets in the way.

A demanding job.
Bills to pay.
Family commitments.

And so they wait.

“When things settle down...“
“When I have more time...“
“When I feel ready...“

But things NEVER settle down.

They just... change.

I spent 5 years sleep walking into a life that wasn't mine...

Until I finally decided enough was enough.

It was my dad's dream to work in finance.

Not mine.

And while you're waiting:
• Dreams fade
• Years slip by
• Regret builds

But the perfect moment is a myth...

However, the right mindset isn't.

So start here:

1/ Embrace the chaos
2/ Take tiny steps (15 minutes count)
3/ Build momentum first
4/ Celebrate small wins
5/ Drop the “perfect“

Your mindset matters most.

Not your past.
Not your situation.
Not your excuses.

The only question is:
What small step will you take today?

📌 Done waiting?
Here's your playbook to build something of your own: https://saywhat.ai/course

♻️ Repost to help others break free.

➕ Follow me for more like this.

--

Visual Inspiration: Hayden Swerling

16 Harsh Career Truths:


1/ Each job is an experiment. Learn, earn or move on.

2/ No one is going to hand you the answers. It's on you.

3/ To achieve greatness, you must unlearn your fear of mistakes.

4/ A bad first impression takes a long time to fix.

5/ Trust people but always verify.

6/ Your self-doubt is your biggest enemy.

7/ You can do way more than you think - be bold.

8/ Picking the right market is more important than your talent.

9/ Build your personal brand, it amplifies everything else you do.

10/ Anxiety often means it’s time to take action.

11/ Look for opportunities in areas that smart people find boring or “uncool”.

12/ Find opportunities that give you huge leverage - either networks or unique skills.

13/ You’ll make lifelong friends at work but don’t assume everyone is your friend.

14/ There’s no escaping hard work, it’s the foundation of success.

15/ Blaming others won’t solve your problems. Taking responsibility will, even if it’s not your fault.

16/ Achieving your dreams will take longer than you expect, but it’s worth the effort.

Remember:
Successful people aren’t special.

They just keep pushing, stay patient,
and jump on their opportunities.

Which one stands out most to you?

For me?
It's building your brand.

Here's your playbook: https://saywhat.ai/course/

—

Quote: Garry Tan

—

♻ Repost to help others achieve greatness.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

The biggest risk isn't failure.
It's looking back in 10 years and realizing you never tried.

That idea you keep pushing off?
That change you're waiting to make?
That leap you know you need to take?

Your mind fills with excuses:
"What if it fails?"
"What if people judge?"
"What if I'm not ready?"

The funny thing?
Before you're successful, literally no one is paying attention.

Everyone is too consumed in their own lives.
You have all the time in the world to experiment before anyone pays attention

It's only once you've made it that people get curious.
Think about it:

→ YouTube started as a dating site
→ Twitter began as a podcast platform
→ Instagram was originally a check-in app called Burbn

But most people don’t know that because they see their success today.

The reality?
These weren't failures - they were necessary experiments.
Those things you're afraid of?

• The "amateur" early attempts
• The "embarrassing" first posts
• The "mistakes" that keep you stuck

They're all just experiments on your path.
No one gets what they want out of life,
Without going through the messy phase first.

So next time you're hesitating:
Start the business
Share the idea
Take the leap

Because the difference between you right now and where you want to be?
It isn't talent.
It's the willingness to look foolish in public.

Want to know the craziest part?
16 months ago, I was terrified to post online.
But it completely changed my life.

Here's your playbook: https://saywhat.ai/course/

♻️ Repost to help your network be take the leap.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Most people defend their favorite AI like it's their football team.
That loyalty is costing them every single day.

They use the same tool for writing, research, data, and planning…even when another tool is clearly better for the job.

So I put ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini head to head across 10 common tasks:

1/ Image Gen

Gemini is the one built for this. Nano Banana Pro generates and edits images in up to 4K from a simple prompt.

ChatGPT's GPT Image 2 is solid too, and actually reasons before it draws. Claude still can't generate images.

I use Gemini for infographic drafts, then make targeted edits in Saywhat.

2/ Writing

Claude writes the most natural, human sounding copy of the 3. Less "AI voice," fewer generic transitions.

It’s my go to for first drafts of anything.

3/ Doc Analysis

All three can handle huge documents now, so pick based on the job.

I use Claude when the details matter, like contracts. Gemini for massive docs and databases. ChatGPT for quick one-off analysis.

4/ Data Analysis

ChatGPT is the one to open here. Drop in a CSV and it builds charts and runs analysis live in the chat.

Claude builds interactive charts and real files too. Gemini reads CSVs and exports straight to Google Sheets.

5/ Projects & Skills

Claude makes this the easiest. Projects hold your docs, and Skills turn repeat prompts into reusable workflows. I have a skill for editing my newsletter.

ChatGPT's custom GPTs do something similar but need a more technical setup. Gemini's Gems hold 10 files, tied to Drive.

6/ Brainstorming

Claude is the strongest for open ended thinking. It's my go to for stress testing a new idea or learning a new topic.

Gemini is solid too when paired with Google Search.

7/ App Integration

Claude connectors are my favorite Claude feature. 400+ apps, so my entire tech stack works inside Claude with no extra setup. I have Slack, Notion, Figma, Fireflies, and a few more connected.

ChatGPT has apps now, but they're hit or miss. Gemini is deep in Google and thin everywhere else.

8/ Automation

Cowork runs tasks on Claude in the background while I do something else. Any task I repeat every week is now handled by Cowork.

ChatGPT's agent mode works but asks for check-ins a lot. Gemini's scheduled actions cap out at 10.

9/ Complex Instructions

Claude stays consistent even in long chats, especially in Projects. It won't drift from the original brief.

ChatGPT follows the rules at first, then slips the longer the conversation runs.

10/ Memory

Claude is strongest inside Projects, where it holds context for one specific piece of work.

ChatGPT stores context globally, which is useful, just less structured. Gemini's Personal Context learns about you as you chat.

My rule is simple: the task picks the tool.

📌 Want a high-res PDF of this sheet?

Get it here: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

♻️ Repost to let your network know they don't have to stay loyal to one tool

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Hot take: Great leaders don’t have to be difficult.

Being easy to work with is such an underrated leadership skill.

A happy team is a productive team.

Unhappy employees cost the North American business economy $350 Billion in lost productivity [Source: Canada Human Resources Center].

After leading teams, here’s what I’ve learned it comes down to:
↳ Being respectful.
↳ Caring about you.

Here are 12 common behaviors of easy to work with leaders:

1/ Keeps Promises
2/ Seeks Your Input
3/ Keeps Their Cool
4/ Leads by Example
5/ Doesn’t Play Favorites
6/ Is Straight Up With You
7/ Makes Quick Decisions
8/ Has A Coaching Mindset
9/ Doesn’t Waste Your Time
10/ Understands You’re Human
11/ Understands Their Own Weaknesses
12/ Always Let You Know Where You Stand

Find yourself a leader who makes your life easier.
(And then return the favor)

P.S. Which of these behaviors do you most value in leaders?

-—

♻️ Repost this to help create better leaders!

📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this?
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10 Mindset Shifts That Will Grow Your Career:


Visuals By Maria Luisa Engels (give her a follow)

They cover three core themes that I wish I understood earlier:

✅ Distractions will always be there - we must learn to let fires burn
✅ No one became their idol being comfortable
✅ We don't need more advice, we need to just follow some of it

Here are the 10 lessons I try to live by:

1/ Ask for help.
↳ It actually makes people feel closer to you and helps you avoid mistakes.
↳ Don’t let pride get in the way.

2/ Don’t leave things unsaid.
↳ When you don't communicate, people fill gaps with their own fears.
↳ Saying what you mean prevents disasters.

3/ If your team fails, look in the mirror.
↳ Coach them to greatness.
↳ Owning failure will earn their respect.

4/ Success looks boring up close.
↳ “Overnight success“ takes 1000 boring days of showing up.
↳ Embrace the work, trust the process.

5/ Doing work is easy. Doing the right work is hard.
↳ Each day is a war against quick-win distractions.
↳ You win by choosing the important over the urgent.

6/ Embrace feeling like an imposter (sometimes).
↳ If you're never uncomfortable, you're not pushing hard enough.
↳ Your doubts are proof you're leveling up - embrace them.

7/ Don’t stay where you don’t belong.
↳ Each “wrong“ role teaches you what you need.
↳ If your skills aren’t valued, find a place that does.

8/ Your life changes when you do.
↳ Pick one major goal for the next 6 months.
↳ Convert big dreams into daily actions - then execute.

9/ Mistakes are just feedback.
↳ Every failure is a data point - collect them aggressively.
↳ Playing it safe is the riskiest move you can make.

10/ Learning hides among distractions.
↳ The hardest skill is knowing what to ignore.
↳ Chase mastery, not quick wins.

#8 is my favorite.

Which visual resonates most with you?

--

📌 Want to learn from Maria how to make visuals like these?
↳ Join her free workshop: https://t.ly/eq4vE

--

📌 Another great way to grow your career is posting content online:
↳ Get my proven system for free - 120 viral post ideas + AI prompts
↳ Join here: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

--

♻️ Repost this to help your network learn these lessons!

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Feeling stuck?

Read this:


We've all had those moments.

When we hesitate and doubt.

It's the fear creeping in:
→ Fear of being judged
→ Fear of missing out
→ Fear of failing

And what makes it harder is that the fears are completely valid.

We will be judged.
We will fail at times.
We will miss out on things.

And you're going to realize that it doesn't matter.
It's just part of the journey.

Every great person has felt those, 
“am I crazy to start over“ feelings:

✅ Ray Croc bought McDonald's at 56
✅ Martha Stewart wrote her first book at 41
✅ Charles Flint co-founded IBM at 61

But they did it anyway. 
And you can too.

Here are three ways to start over,
with an unfair advantage:

1/ Start building an audience online.

↳ Share what you've learned.
↳ Create content that helps your ideal customers avoid your mistakes.

2/ Learn from those 2 steps ahead

↳ Find mentors who've made the leap
↳ Study their frameworks and systems

3/ Build up a financial safety net

↳ Test your new thing while employed
↳ Cut unnecessary expenses now

Remember:
Your experience isn't a weakness.
It's your edge.

One thing I wish I started earlier was my personal brand.

📌 Here is your playbook
(With 120 post ideas + my AI writing prompts): https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

—

♻ Repost to help your network overcoming the fear of starting over.

➕ Want more? Follow me Will McTighe

I was lying awake at 3am.
Going over it for the 10th time:

Rehearsing a difficult conversation
That I needed to have
With a close friend

I kept putting it off,
Built it up into this big thing.

And then?
I started resenting him.

That’s when it became clear:

Avoiding the conversation
doesn’t “protect” the relationship
it slowly poisons it.

The hardest parts were:

➟ Overanalyzing every little thing he said
➟ Letting resentment create distance between us

What helped me finally speak up?

Realizing the story in my head
was way worse than reality.

When I had the conversation?

It was tough.
But Honest. Simple. Respectful.

Here’s what actually worked for me:

1/ Write it out first
↳ List the points you want to say.
↳ Then cut it down to the core message.

2/ Focus on facts, not feelings
↳ What happened, not how angry you are.
↳ Use “I” language: “I noticed…”, not “You always…”

3/ Lead with curiosity
↳ Ask how they saw it.
↳ Make it a two-way conversation.

The discomfort doesn’t go away.
But you get better at handling it.

P.S. Share your best tip for difficult conversations below 👇
what's worked for you?

—

♻ Repost to help someone who needs this reminder today.

📌 Want a hi-res pdf of this and 60+ top infographics?
1. Follow me
2. Sign up for my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Time is painfully honest.

It exposes every choice you've made.

Your habits a year ago built your life today.

Most of us get stuck in familiar patterns:
• Living for the weekend
• Staying in our comfort zone
• Following others' expectations
• Building someone else's future

None of these are wrong moves.
I spent 5 years doing exactly this.
But there's another path.

Here's the raw truth:
It's harder than staying comfortable.
It takes longer than you expect.
You'll feel lost at times.

Many try, few succeed.
But unlike playing it safe,
Every step builds YOUR future.

It starts with one thing:
Investing in yourself.

365 days from now, you'll wish you had:
• Stepped out of your comfort zone
• Started building something meaningful
• Taken control of your path

Why?

When you build a life that's truly yours,
You'll wake up excited each day.
Not because you have to.
Because you want to.

The gap between dreaming and doing?

It's called taking action.
Start today.

📌 Ready to build an independent future?

Build your brand.
Here's your playbook: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

♻️ Repost to help others break free.

➕ Follow me for more like this.

Your First 90 Days Will Make or Break Your Job:
I learned this the hard way at Goldman.

I did everything wrong.
Then, I spent the next 2 years fixing it.

Why do we fail?

Simple:

❌ We don't build sponsors
❌ We miss the unwritten rules
❌ We try to be the hero too soon

But there's a better way.
Here are 7 power moves that make you irreplaceable:

1️⃣ Learn the Hidden Rules, Fast
↳ Map the informal power structure (who influences the decision makers)
↳ Study the top performers in your role and what makes them successful

2️⃣ Be a Knowledge Sponge
↳ Listen 3x more than you speak
↳ Document everything you learn (create your own onboarding guide)

3️⃣ Build Your Tribe
↳ Use informal time to build real bonds (coffee runs, lunch crews, after-work events)
↳ Find the “super connectors“ who can introduce you to anyone

4️⃣ Overdeliver Every Time
↳ Overprepare, always. Come with solutions, not just questions
↳ Show up 5 mins early and use it for small talk!

5️⃣ Collect Quick Wins
↳ Automate someone's repetitive task
↳ Document the unofficial “how things work“ guide

6️⃣ Stay Strategic
↳ Ask “what am I missing?“ before suggesting changes
↳ Save the big changes for month 3

7️⃣ Seek Real Feedback
↳ Ask “what would you do differently?“ instead of “how did I do?”
↳ Actually make change with what you hear.

Remember: Strong starts create unstoppable careers.

What's your best “first 90 days“ advice?
Share below 👇

—

Visual Inspo Ford Coleman

—

♻️ Repost to help your network win in new jobs

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this

I’ve spent YEARS learning these core business soft skills.
Learn them with 20 mins/day:

Harvard University says 85% of professional success comes from people skills.

And 93% of employers consider business soft skills before making hiring or promoting decisions [Coursera].

If you’re feeling stuck, use these >40 FREE resources to increase your earnings potential across 7 core business soft skills:

1/ Networking

Youtube: How to Build a World-Class Network (Tim Ferriss)
YouTube: How Do I Build My Network from Scratch?
Article: A Beginner’s Guide to Networking
Article: 14 Steps to Build a Strong Professional Network
People To Follow: Keith Ferrazzi

2/ Conflict Resolution

YouTube: Dos and Don’ts of Workplace Conflict
YouTube: 5 Steps To Manage Conflict Between Team Members
TED Talk: The Gift of Conflict (Amy E. Gallo)
Article: 3 Ways To Manage Conflict Resolution In The Workplace
People To Follow: William Ury

3/ Public Speaking

YouTube: How to Become Better At Public Speaking Immediately
TED Talk: The 110 techniques of communication and public speaking (David Phillips)
Article: 10 Tips to Improve Public Speaking Skills (HBR)
People To Follow: Carmine Gallo
Newsletter: Micdrop Workshop

4/ Time management

YouTube: How I Manage My Time (Ali Abdaal)
TED Talk: How to gain control of your free time (Laura Vanderkam)
Podcast: The Time Management Podcast
Article: 6 Strategies to Better Manage Your Time
Newsletter: The 3-2-1 Newsletter

5/ Avoiding Burnout

YouTube: How to Avoid Burnout (Huberman)
YouTube: How to Avoid Burnout (Ali Abdaal)
Article: Beating Burnout
People To Follow: Dr. Emma Seppälä
Newsletter: Mastering Your Mindset

6/ Negotiation

YouTube: Former FBI Agent Explains How to Negotiate (Joe Navarro)
TED Talk: 3 Steps to Getting What You Want in a Negotiation
Article: From Conflict To Win : Win: How To Negotiate More Effectively
People To Follow: Christopher Voss
Newsletter: The Edge

7/ Effective Communication

YouTube: Effective Communication Skills
YouTube: Effective Communication Skills in the Workplace
TED Talk: The Art of Effective Communication (Marcus Alexander Velazquez)
Article: What is Effective Communication?
Podcast: Think Fast Talk Smart

Take control of your career and become a top performer in 2024!

P.S. How have you learned the business soft skills?

---

♻️ Repost to help your network to level up their careers.

📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this with clickable links?
1. Just follow me Will McTighe
2. Sign up for my free Level Up Community at lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Life moves faster than we think.

One random Saturday, it hits you:

You've spent years dreading Monday mornings.
Years saying “someday.“
Years playing it safe.

But here's what I've learned:

When you're in control of your time, life feels lighter.

When you're doing work you love, time feels different.

When you're building something you care about, every day has purpose.

So why do we wait?

“I'm not ready yet“
“What if it doesn't work?“
“Maybe next year is better“

But life is too precious for “someday.“

The greatest risk isn't trying something new.

It's letting your dreams collect dust.

It's settling for ordinary when extraordinary is possible.

Stop overthinking.
Start doing.

Because in 5 years, you'll wish you started today.

Ready to build your escape plan?

📌 I've created 120 post ideas and prompts to help you start building online → https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

♻️ Repost this if it hit home

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more

Your words create your reality.
When I worked at Goldman Sachs...

My words showed how worried and nervous I was.
I was constantly fearful of making mistakes.

It made me look weak.

Don’t fall into the same trap.
Here are 12 phrases to sound more confident:

❌ I don’t get it.
✅ Can you explain again, please?

❌ I don’t know.
✅ I’ll look into that and get back to you.

❌ Sorry for the delay.
✅ Thanks for bearing with me.

❌ I’m too busy.
✅ I’ll be able to look into this on [date].

❌ That’s not my job.
✅ Let me connect you with the right person.

❌ I’ll try.
✅ I’ll handle this.

❌ Sorry, I missed [X].
✅ Thank you for spotting that.

❌ Sorry to bother you.
✅ Can we have a quick chat?

❌ You are wrong.
✅ I have a different perspective.

❌ This might sound silly, but…
✅ Here’s an idea to consider.

❌ No worries.
✅ Happy to help.

❌ I think maybe we should…
✅ I recommend…

Your words determine how you are perceived.
Own them to create an impact.

P.S. Which do you want to use more?

—

♻ Repost to inspire your network to become a top performer.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Growing up, I never thought I'd get married.


I was scared.

Scared that I wouldn't be a good partner or dad.

Scared that I would let my partner down.

But standing there last Saturday, about to get married, I felt no fear.

Why?

Because I'd spent 4 years proving to myself that I could be a good partner.

That I could show up every day for someone else.

And while I have certainly made mistakes and not been perfect...

I showed up anyway.
Through the good days and bad.
Through disagreements and celebrations.
Through life's ups and downs.

So if you're feeling scared about something,

Doubting whether you're good enough…

Maybe you're not - yet.

But more thinking and power poses in the mirror aren’t the answer.

You just need to show up.

Day after day.

And in a few years, you'll be shocked at the confidence you've built.

Just by building proof.

Proof to yourself that you can do it.

Share this with someone who needs to hear it today. ♥️

Jobs are temporary. But skills?
They can never be taken away from you.

But most of us are too scared to start learning new ones.
Why? Because we get stuck in loops:

↳ “What if I look stupid?“
↳ “What if it doesn’t help me?“
↳ “What if I'm just wasting my time?“

We all have these thoughts sometimes.

But here's the irony:
Listening to them is the riskiest move of all.

Here's what the forward thinkers do instead:

1/ Build In Public.
→ Share your wins and lessons learned.
→ Document your problem-solving process.

2/ Create Opportunities, Don't Wait for Them.
→ Connect with people in your space.
→ Grab virtual coffees - zoom is amazing.

3/ Teach What You Know.
→ Share what you needed to know 2 years ago.
→ Help others avoid your mistakes.

4/ Make Your Work Visible.
→ Take on projects others can see.
→ Turn outcomes into content.

The harsh reality?
Your company has a backup plan for you.
Do you have a backup plan for them?

Remember: Your brand is the strongest backup plan.

Start building yours today: https://saywhat.ai/course/

P.S. What's your top tip to become irreplaceable? 👇

—

Quote Credit: Erica Williams Simon

—

♻️ Repost to help your network to be loyal to their growth.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Our words shape how others see us.
But not always in the way we think.

Small changes in phrasing can be the difference between,
Being seen as confident or confused.

People often make snap judgements,
It may seem unfair, but that's life.

Here are 9 common phrases that might be holding you back:

❌ “I'll try to...“
↳ Show commitment, not hesitation
✅ “I will...“

❌ “Maybe we could try this.“
↳ Lead with decisiveness
✅ “We should explore this option.“

❌ “I'm not sure if this makes sense...“
↳ Believe in your ideas
✅ “Here's what I think...“

❌ “I'm no expert, but...“
↳ Own your expertise
✅ “Based on my research/experience...“

❌ “Does that make sense?“
↳ Open dialogue, don't seek validation
✅ “What are your thoughts?“

❌ “I hope this helps...“
↳ Be confident in your ability to provide support
✅ “Let me know if you need anything else.“

❌ “Sorry, I just wanted to check in.”
↳ Over-apologizing diminishes authority
✅ “Quickly following up on this.”

❌ “I’m sorry for taking up your time.“
↳ Be respectful of your own time
✅ “Thanks for giving me a moment to explain.“

❌ “This might be a bad idea...“
↳ Present solutions confidently
✅ “Here's an alternative approach.“

Small shifts in language.
Huge shifts in perception.

P.S. Which phrase do you catch yourself using most often?

I used to always say “I’ll try to…”

—

Inspo Dora Vanourek

—

♻ Repost to help your network build confidence and credibility!

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

🚨 Reach on LinkedIn is down 68% from its peak.
But we’re seeing something extraordinary…

In 2025, big creators (100k+ followers) grew 18x faster than everyone else.
But today, follower count isn't the thing holding you back.

Chris Donnelly and I just analyzed 397,605 posts for the Q1 2026 State Of The Algorithm Report.

The 2025 playbook doesn't work anymore.

This is what's actually working now:

1/ Photos = status

❌ Excessive selfies → low status.
✅ Authority pics and throwback pics build credibility. And show you’re human.

2/ Niche > broad

❌ Content had to be relatable to everyone.
✅ Write about your niche - the new algo will find the right people.

3/ Volume matters

❌ 3x a week was gold standard.
✅ 6-7x a week is the new sweet spot.

4/ Hooks need receipts

❌ Lukewarm "nobody tells you" hooks are done.
✅ Authority hooks stand out from the AI slop.

5/ Content > followers

❌ Last year, big creators (100k+) grew 18x faster than smaller accounts.
✅ Now, accounts with just 10k followers are growing as fast as 100k+.

6/ Infographics win

❌ Carousels dominated growth in 2025.
✅ Infographics now make up 29% of all top 1% posts.

7/ Video is back

❌ Video used to be just for trust building.
✅ Native video drives trust AND reach now.

8/ Claude Skills > GPTs

❌ GPTs are saturated. Claude is in fashion.
✅ Claude Skills are pulling 1,000+ comments per post.

9/ External links don’t damage reach

❌ "Link in the comments".
✅ Posts with 3+ quality external links get 441% higher reach on average.

10/ Post length

❌ Short, punchy and skimmable writing wins.
✅ Longer, human-sounding writing now gets 227% more views.

11/ Comments

❌ Comment count as a scoreboard.
✅ Quality LONG & HUMAN comments win. Bonus if they're from an exec.

If you want to understand exactly how to play this new game…

Chris and I are running a free webinar this Wednesday at 12:30pm EST.

https://lnkd.in/gXiUSNr5

You'll get:
- The full 64-page Q1 2026 Algorithm Report
- Our breakdown of every shift and the data behind it
- The exact formula for outlier posts in 2026
- Live Q&A with Chris and me

♻️ Repost to help your network adapt to the new algo

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Growth doesn't always feel good.

Sometimes it feels like fear.
Sometimes it feels like anxiety.
Sometimes it feels like frustration.

But that doesn't mean you're doing it wrong.
It usually means you're doing it right.

For example:

❌ Asking obvious questions makes you feel dumb.
✅ When it actually makes you smarter.

❌ Failing makes you feel stupid.
✅ When you're actually earning your expertise.

❌ Living on a budget makes you feel poor.
✅ When you're actually getting richer.

❌ Posting online feels embarrassing.
✅ When you’re actually building trust.

Most people stay stuck because they're afraid:
— Of 'looking' stupid
— Of doing the hard stuff
— Of not getting it right the first time

But you've already faced the hardest part...
Admitting you're ready for change.

Don't waste another Sunday feeling that dread.
Don't spend another year making the same promise.

📌 Start building your leverage today: https://saywhat.ai/course/

—

♻️ Repost to help your network be more successful.

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—

Visual Inspo: Chris Donnelly

Progress happens even when its not visible.

Most people just don't wait to see it:

They quit way too soon.

Because they don’t see results.

They:
• Try something new for 10 days
• See no growth
• Call it a failure

But the best?

They know progress happens before it’s visible.

They follow The Bamboo Rule.

Once planted, the bamboo tree doesn’t show any growth for 5 years.

Nothing above the soil.

Then it shoots up to 70-90 feet in under 6 weeks.

Here’s how to grow like bamboo (and not burn out):

1/ Track what matters (not what looks good).
↳ Don’t chase likes - track your actions.
↳ Focus on what moves you forward, not just what feeds your ego.

If you're building your personal brand on LinkedIn, track:
✅ Posts published per week
✅ Comments you leave daily
✅ People you engage with in DMs
✅ Quality connection requests sent - to creators, target audience

2/ Stop judging yourself too early.
↳ Stop comparing your day 1 to someone’s day 300.
↳ Stay in the game long enough to earn compound results.

Avoid:
❌ Deleting bad posts
❌ Copying viral formats without adding your own spin
❌ Obsessing over impressions instead of improvement

3/ Don’t grow alone.
↳ Growth is hard. Support makes it easier.
↳ One accountability partner can change everything.
↳ Miro Bada helped me a ton on my journey!

Try this:
✅ Share your weekly goals
✅ Set minimum activity goals
✅ Call each other out if you miss them

The difference between winners and the rest?

When they set a goal,
They keep going - even when things get hard.

—

📌 Want to start building your personal brand on LinkedIn?
Here’s the playbook that got me to >370k followers
With 120 post ideas + my AI writing prompts: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

—

Post Inspo: Jade Bonacolta

—

♻ Repost to help your network do hard things.

➕ Want more? Follow me Will McTighe

It's easy to blame others for our problems.

Your boss.
Bad timing.
The economy.
Zero connections.

I know because I used them all.

2022: I had every excuse not to start my business
• No tech background
• Dwindling savings
• “Wrong“ timing
• Zero audience

They were all true.
And all useless.

Most of the people we admire had better excuses than us:
• Dyslexic
• Orphaned
• School dropout
• Zero connections
• Childhood trauma

Yet they refused to let these excuses become their identity.

The brutal truth?
Our problems aren't special.
But our responses to them are.

Success comes from owning our excuses.

So start today.

Here's your next 24 hours:
1. Write down your ONE goal
2. Write down your biggest “excuse“
3. Take ONE small action to overcome it

What story will you choose to write?

--

The most impactful way I've taken responsibility recently?
Building my personal brand.

Here's your playbook: https://saywhat.ai/course/

♻️ Repost to help others take responsibility today.

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Getting six-figure jobs isn’t about being the smartest.
It’s about being the most prepared.

I’ve seen it happen over and over.

Smart people getting ignored,
Simply because they don’t have the right system to showcase their skills.

Most people don’t get their dream jobs, because:
↳ They apply randomly
↳ Prep last minute
↳ And, hope it works out

But hope is not a hiring strategy.
Having a system is.

1/ Before You Apply

Your resume speaks before you do, make it count.

➡️ Resume basics
↳ Customize your resume for every role
↳ Highlight exactly how you progressed in every role
↳ But remove irrelevant experiences and skills
↳ Backup your claims with numbers, and real data

Bonus: Use Teal's AI Resume Builder to tailor your resume to the skills required in each job description.

➡️ Research essentials
↳ Study their website, blog, and social pages
↳ Look up the interviewers on LinkedIn
↳ Connect with current and old employees
↳ Understand the culture, approach to work, etc.

➡️ Prep like a pro
↳ Identify 2-3 core skills and prepare stories demonstrating them
↳ Be ready to talk about failures and how you handled them
↳ Use data and numbers to show real impact

2/ During the Interview

You’ve got one shot to make it stick.
➡️ Answer with structure
↳ Use the STAR framework:
→ Situation you faced
→ Task you were assigned
→ Actions you took
→ Results you delivered

3/ After the Interview

This is where strong candidates become the obvious choice.

➡️ Follow-up plan
↳ Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
↳ Keep it short and confident
↳ Show interest, not desperation

➡️ Negotiate right
↳ Don’t say yes to the first offer
↳ Research average salary and set a range
↳ Ask for full package details - comp, benefits, bonuses
↳ Push for the higher end of your range
↳ Be prepared to walk if it doesn’t fit

Remember:
Getting hired isn’t about being the perfect candidate.
It’s about being the most prepared one.

Teal helps you turn chaos into a system,
So your experience actually gets the spotlight.

✅ Get started with Teal’s Resume Builder here: creatormatch.co/d31S9Y

—

♻️ Share this with someone job hunting.

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#TealPartner

170M new jobs. 92M jobs gone by 2030.
Many current skills will be totally outdated:

One skill will make the difference.

The #1 career regret people will have in 2030:
“I knew about AI early... but never learned to use it properly.“

Here's why this matters now:

The World Economic Forum just dropped a bombshell:
↳ 170M new jobs by 2030
↳ 92M jobs eliminated
↳ 86% of businesses transformed by AI

But here's the real kicker:
The top skills aren't what you'd expect.

Yes, AI knowledge matters.
But it's not about coding.

The real winners in 2030 will master:
1/ Strategic thinking with AI
2/ Creative problem solving
3/ Systems thinking
4/ Leadership & influence

But what people miss about AI is that you can use it to help you with ALL of these skills:

1/ Strategic thinking:
→ Ask AI to analyze your last 90 days of customer feedback.
→ Look for patterns in complaints you missed.

2/ Problem solving:
→ Before your next team meeting, have AI generate 5 different approaches to your current challenge.
→ I use this to break out of my usual thinking patterns.

3/ Leadership:
→ Practice tough conversations with AI first.
→ I send difficult conversations to Claude to sense check my judgment.

3 steps to set yourself apart:

1/ Start Small, Start Now
↳ Write down your list of tasks for today
↳ Choose 1 of them you can do with AI's help

2/ Think Bigger Than Tools
↳ Focus on solving problems
↳ Build systems, not just skills

3/ Share Your Journey Publicly
↳ Document your wins and failures 
↳ Build your authority early - your brand is just going to get more important

Most will wait until 2029 to take this seriously.
By then, the early movers will be untouchable.

📌 Get ahead by building your personal brand today.
Here are 120 post ideas to get started: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

Your future self will thank you.

P.S. What's one important task at work you're doing with AI? 👇

--

♻️ Repost to help others future-proof their careers.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

170M new jobs. 92M jobs gone by 2030.
Many current skills will be totally outdated:

One skill will make the difference.

The #1 career regret people will have in 2030:
"I knew about AI early... but never learned to use it properly."

Here's why this matters now:

The World Economic Forum just dropped a bombshell:
↳ 170M new jobs by 2030
↳ 92M jobs eliminated
↳ 86% of businesses transformed by AI

But here's the real kicker:
The top skills aren't what you'd expect.

Yes, AI knowledge matters.
But it's not about coding.

The real winners in 2030 will master:
1/ Strategic thinking with AI
2/ Creative problem solving
3/ Systems thinking
4/ Leadership & influence

But what people miss about AI is that you can use it to help you with ALL of these skills:

1/ Strategic thinking:
→ Ask AI to analyze your last 90 days of customer feedback.
→ Look for patterns in complaints you missed.

2/ Problem solving:
→ Before your next team meeting, have AI generate 5 different approaches to your current challenge.
→ I use this to break out of my usual thinking patterns.

3/ Leadership:
→ Practice tough conversations with AI first.
→ I send difficult conversations to Claude to sense check my judgment.

3 steps to set yourself apart:

1/ Start Small, Start Now
↳ Write down your list of tasks for today
↳ Choose 1 of them you can do with AI's help

2/ Think Bigger Than Tools
↳ Focus on solving problems
↳ Build systems, not just skills

3/ Share Your Journey Publicly
↳ Document your wins and failures
↳ Build your authority early - your brand is just going to get more important

Most will wait until 2029 to take this seriously.
By then, the early movers will be untouchable.

📌 Get ahead by building your personal brand today.
Here's your playbook: https://lnkd.in/ga7QpS8v

Your future self will thank you.

P.S. What's one important task at work you're doing with AI? 👇

♻️ Repost to help others future-proof their careers.

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Great communication doesn’t require credentials, it just requires practice.


I learned more about business communication from door-to-door sales than at university.

Becoming a better communicator improves your career outcomes.

Education-to-Workforce found that communication skills predict job performance for people aged 15–29.

Adopt these 10 behaviors to improve your communication skills today:

1/ Plan Ahead
2/ Get to the point
3/ Listen Like a Pro
4/ Tailor Your Tone
5/ Non-verbal cues
6/ Show, Don’t Just Tell
7/ Keep Everyone in the Loop
8/ Put Yourself in Their Shoes
9/ Ask Open-Ended Questions
10/ Pick the Right Comms Channel

Don't let communication skills hold back your career.

Master these behaviors to level up in 2024.

P.S. What is your top tip for better business communication?

—-
Research: Education-To-Workforce Indicator Communication Skills
—-

♻️ Repost to help your network become top performers.

📌 Want a high-resolution PDF of this?
1. Just follow me Will McTighe
2. Sign up for my free Level Up Community at https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

A solo business used to mean choosing between freedom and real money. In 2026, you can have both.

The tools are cheaper, the audience is bigger, and one focused person can do what used to take ten.

Most people CAN do it. But getting started is the hardest part.

What they're missing is a clear system to follow.

So I wrote one you can use:

1/ Solve Your Own Pain

The easiest business to build is around a problem you actually have. Find the solution you'd pay for yourself.

2/ Validate Before Building

Talk to 10 people who have the same problem before you spend time and money on any idea. Ask what they've already tried and whether they'd pay to solve it.

Most people skip this and build for 3 months in the wrong direction.

3/ Build Your Personal Brand

Your online presence can give you a serious advantage. It makes people feel like they know you before you even approach them.

Pick one topic you know well, write about buyer problems, and use personal stories and case studies to prove you can help.

4/ Build An Offer Ladder

Your first product can be one free lead magnet. Solve a narrow, painful problem with a fast win. Then build up from there.

A checklist or template that saves someone an hour is worth more than a 40-page ebook nobody finishes.

5/ Use AI Wisely

Use AI to draft, research, and organize - NOT to decide what to build or who to sell to. The strategy has to come from you. The execution is where AI can help.

6/ Ship The Simplest Version

The first version only has one job: prove people care enough to pay.
Start with something simple to build and maintain like a checklist or email course before building anything more complex and expensive.

7/ Make Buying Easier

People buy when the result feels clear, fast, and low-risk. "First lead in week 1" converts better than "grow your business."

8/ Say No Often

A one-person business only works if that person is maniacally focused on the main goal. Every yes to something outside your focus is a no to the thing that's actually working.

A one-person business lives and dies by focus.

Do fewer things. Do them longer.

📌 Want a high-res version of this sheet?

Get it here: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

♻️ Repost to help your network build a one person business.

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Burnout isn't a badge of honor.

I used to tell myself:

❌ “If I stop I'll fall behind“
❌ “I'll rest when this project is done“
❌ “I can catch up on sleep at the weekend“

And then I developed insomnia.

For 2 years, 6-7 days a week,
I'd wake up at 3am wide awake.

Staring at the ceiling for hours.
It felt like torture.

So I decided to take sleep as seriously as my work,
and become a professional sleep athlete.

Here are the 5 steps that fixed my sleep:

1/ The Navy SEALS 10-3-1 Technique

➡️ No caffeine 10 hours before bed
➡️ No food 3 hours before bed
➡️ No screens 1 hour before bed

Small habits. Massive results.

2/ Buy A Quality Mattress

➡️ Took the Helix Sleep Quiz to find my perfect match
➡️ Got a mattress tailored to my sleep style
➡️ Saw results in just 3 nights

Your health is an investment, not an expense.

3/ Set a bedtime alarm.

Most people only set morning alarms.
But the game-changer was setting one at night.

➡️ Set a bedtime alarm (not just morning)
➡️ DND mode at fixed time
➡️ Same sleep-wake times (even weekends)

Your morning starts the night before.

4/ 20-min walk before winding down.

I tried complicated wind down routines. 
Simple worked best:

➡️ 20-min evening walk
➡️ No phone, just presence
➡️ Let your mind wander

Walking just dissolves stress.

5/ Non-sleep deep rest routines.

Honestly, I swear by these now.
[YouTube links in comments 👇]

➡️ Lie down on the couch for 20 mins
➡️ 4-7-8 breathing to calm the mind
➡️ Body scan from head to toe

Remember:
Rest like your success depends on it. 
Because it does.

P.S. What do you do to sleep better? 👇

—

♻️ Repost this to help others fix their sleep

📌 Want to fix your sleep in 30 days?

1. Save this post for later
2. Take the Helix Sleep quiz (2 mins):
https://lnkd.in/g2HzqiDb
3. Get matched to your dream mattress
4. Try it risk-free for 100 nights

P.S. Tap ❤️ if you're ready for better sleep this year.

#HelixPartner

Later is a lie.

It usually means never.

We all do it:

• That side business we'll “start someday“
• That skill we'll “learn when we have time“
• That tough conversation we'll “have tomorrow“

Days turn into weeks.
Weeks turn into months.
And nothing changes.

And I get it.

It's easier to lie to ourselves by saying “I'll do it later“,
than acknowledging the truth:

That we are letting our dreams die.

But it doesn't have to be that way:

Progress beats perfection.
Action beats analysis.

Here are 3 simple ways to break free:

1/ Close your open loops.
↳ Replace “later“ with a specific time
↳ What gets scheduled gets done

2/ Win the morning battle.
↳ Do ONE thing that moves the needle
↳ Before the emails and meetings start

3/ Use the 2-minute rule.
↳ If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it now
↳ Small tasks solved instantly save mental energy

Starting imperfectly today...
Beats waiting for a perfect tomorrow.

Most people put off building their LinkedIn presence.
I wasted 10 years saying “later.“

Don't make the same mistake.

📌 Get 120 post ideas & my writing prompts to start today: https://lnkd.in/gKzZUq-b

—

Image: librarymindset (Instagram)

—-

♻️ Repost to help your network take action today

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We analyzed 200,000+ LinkedIn posts in 3 months.

And LinkedIn is completely changing...

Here's what we found:

For years, it was easy to grow on LinkedIn.
But in 2025, things are changing.

People are finally realizing the opportunities on LinkedIn,
The feed is getting more crowded,
And every creator I talk to is struggling to keep up.

That's why Chris Donnelly and I dove deep into the data.

Using Saywhat's analysis of 200,000+ posts...

Here's what actually works in 2025:

1/ Content Formats

❌ “Stick to carousels only“
✅ Mix carousels with personal behind-the-scenes and case studies

2/ Post Length

❌ “Keep it short and sweet“
✅ Long, conversational storytelling gets 45% more reach

3/ Content Performance

❌ “If a post doesn't perform in 60 minutes, it's dead“
✅ With Suggested posts, great posts can resurface days later.

4/ Using Video

❌ “Video is the best for follower growth“
✅ Videos are best for building trust and converting.

5/ Viral Content

❌ “Motivational content is the best for reach“
✅ Photos of you “doing the work“ get 2x reach of text posts AND build credibility.

6/ Commenting

❌ “Comment on as many posts as possible“
✅ Top 5% creators leave quality comments on 165 posts/week.

7/ Links In Posts

❌ “Avoid links in posts at all costs“
✅ Posts with 3+ links get 140% better reach.

8/ Hooks

❌ “Use contrarian hooks“
✅ Authority hooks are your best defense against AI.

The key is to test everything.
Then double down on what works for YOU.

2025's algorithm is different.
Time to adapt or get left behind.

And this is just scratching the surface...
Chris and I are sharing everything we've learned.

Want the complete State of LinkedIn Report?
Here's how:

1. Like this post
2. Share with your network
3. Join the Saywhat & Creator Accelerator Webinar (June 26th): https://lnkd.in/ecXxBGTN

You'll get the full report after the session.

We'll break down:
• What's actually working right now
• Your 2025 action plan for LinkedIn

See you there!

♻️ Repost to help others win on LinkedIn

➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more personal branding advice.