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November 20, 2024 23 mins

Key Takeaways from Interview Susan Colantuono's and Helen Jonsen's Discussion:

  • A kaleidoscope career utilizes fundamental skills and talents in various roles and industries throughout one's professional life.

  • Business disruptions (e.g. pandemic, AI, etc.) are changing how people work and view their careers

  • Nonlinear career paths are becoming more common and accepted

Key to navigating a kaleidoscope career:

  • Identify and articulate your core skills that transfer across roles

  • Explain your career transitions with confidence

  • Highlight how your diverse experiences add value

Advice for job seekers:

  • Focus on your transferable skills and how they apply to new roles, even if the job title or industry is different

Advice for hiring managers:

  • Look beyond traditional career paths and recognize the value of diverse experiences


More about Susan:

In 2002, Susan established the Women’s Institute for Leadership at Bryant University and presented Leadership Mastery programs for women until 2010.

In 2004, she founded Leading Women on a B2C model. In 2015, she made the strategic shift to B2B ,delivering unique leadership development programs for women and gender dynamics programs for managers at global clients, including Verizon, DHL, onsemi, Nokia, Amgen, AbbVie, BD, IGT, Turner Construction, Veeam, Victaulic, and Campbells among others across a range of industries. The strategy shift enabled a 400% percent increase in revenue over 3 years. In 2018, Leading Women was sold. The following year, with a goal of spreading her actionable insights to women without access to leadership development resources, Susan Colantuono and Michelle Redfern launched the Lead to Soar network (formerly A Career that Soars!) , an online global community of ambitious women committed to developing their leadership skills and advancing in their careers.

She is once again leading her own firm, Be Business Savvy.

Susan has published numerous articles on leadership and is the author of two other books. Her cutting-edge insights have been featured in Time, AdAge, CNBC, Forbes, and CBS in addition to various other podcasts and media outlets. An in-demand speaker, Susan has spoken for business audiences from every continent. Throughout her career, Susan has been a pioneer in leadership development and diversity and inclusion solutions to organizations.

Extra fact: Susan’s TEDx Talk on “Closing the gender gap at the top" is one of only 1% of TEDx Talks to make it to the TED.com site. Susan's talk was retitled, “The career advice you probably didn’t get.” Nearing 4.5 million views, it has been translated into 23 languages and covered by media including The Washington Post, Fortune Magazine, and The Guardian as one of the Top 5 Talks that will change the way you work.


Resources:

For more on  “Be Business Savvy” and founder Susan Colantuono, click here.

Find Susan on LinkedIn


About Kaleidoscope Career Podcast

As a professional communicator, Helen Jonsen has a kaleidoscope career with decades of experience as a journalist, storyteller, media coach, voice-over talent, writer, media relations pro, and strategist. Helen is now taking the next step in her colorful career with "This Kaleidoscope Career," now on Substack.  Join Helen each week as she talks with leading women across various industries about the keys to unlocking a successful kaleidoscope career. Helen is available as a speaker on topics that will resonate with your audience. Find more here.


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