The Uncommon Executive

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Career Growth

To IC or Not To IC In the Age of AI
As AI Agents level up and companies face rising profitability expectations, where does this leave middle management?
 • Yue Zhao
What Most People Miss About Getting Promoted
Make the business case for why now. Pitch your promotion broadly on why invest in expanding your scope, and not fund someone else's promotion.
 • Yue Zhao
How To Lower Your Anxiety To Speaking Up And Sharing Ideas
Many leaders set the bar high for sharing a new idea. As a result, they fail to build influence and presence. Here's a different way to frame the goal…
 • Yue Zhao
Visibility and Communication is The Job
Many of us just want to put our head down and do work. Sending updates feel like a chore. Businesses rely on collaboration to accomplish big goals, and…
 • Yue Zhao
How To Ask for Support from Senior Leaders
How to take advantage when your leader says "let me know how I can help." Use it to accelerate your projects and your career while increasing perception…
 • Yue Zhao
How To Be Memorable To Senior Executives
It's performance review season, and staying top of mind (in a good way) to senior leaders has unforeseen benefits. Here's three tips to try before the…
 • Yue Zhao
Recognizing How Bias Compounds at Leadership levels
Kids and parents are all sick so this week’s post is taken from my book, The Uncommon Executive: Breakthrough to the C-suite as a Minority.
 • Yue Zhao
Why Being Capable Doesn't Get You Promoted
Getting into leadership is more about positioning yourself for that next opportunity than working hard at your current role.
 • Yue Zhao
How to communicate succinctly to executives
Executives are short on time and attention. Learn how to Be Brief, Be Brilliant, and Be gone. The secret is in clarity of thinking and having the…
 • Yue Zhao
Letting go is A Leadership Superpower
Letting go of what made us successful and fixed ideas of what is right is the secret to becoming a great executive. Here's the why and the how to do it…
 • Yue Zhao
How To Manage False Rumors As a High Performer
High-performers will encounter rumors about their wins rooted in jealousy and envy. The best way to address them is to sidestep the emotions and build a…
 • Yue Zhao
Why Mentoring Doesn't Get You Into Management
If you're looking to get more resources and manage a team, tell a story about how you'll create more impact.
 • Yue Zhao
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