Curt Sassak

Career and personal development meets dark humor and kitchen stories. Former chef.

Launched 10 months ago

Curt Sassak

@curtsassak

No BS career strategist for senior leaders.

Is your job title your identity?
Ask yourself this question:
If you took the title away, how would you feel?
For many accomplished professionals I see the same thing:
Take the title away and the confidence goes with it

If you can overthink the worst, why can’t you overthink the best?
You’ll run 479 scenarios about how something can go wrong, but you won’t even consider 1 where things go right

Authority is like salt…
You don’t see salt on the menu
But when it’s missing you notice.
You may be the most experienced and qualified, but if you cannot communicate your value and authority, the market won’t notice

Someone less qualified than you got the job
And it has nothing to do with their qualifications.
It has everything to do with how well they communicate their value.

Everybody understands investing, yet nobody applies that same principle to their career.
You wouldn't park your money in a savings account. No, you'd invest it so it compounds.
You have the capital (your experience, accomplishments in network), but if you don't deploy those assets, they won't compound.

What determines your worth?
Hard question someone asked me once:
“If you remove your accomplishments and your title, would you still feel the same sense of self-worth?”
My answer was, “no.”
Ooof, that was eye opening.

When Jurassic Park meets career transition
You think being qualified is enough.
But, the market’s changed and you’re getting ghosted.
Doing more of what’s not working still doesn’t work.
That’s called “The Jurassic Park Effect”
You know the dinosaur eats everyone and you still bought the ticket for the sequel.
AKA, you’re repeating the same actions, expecting a different result.

Seeking feedback from the 40+ crowd
I'm considering hosting a free webinar for leaders navigating a layoff, exit, or career transition.
Before I put it together, I'd love your input.
Which topic would be most valuable to you?

1. Why accomplished leaders become invisible in today's job market
2. How to make the right career move after a layoff or exit before the window closes

Are you making decisions based on what’s familiar?
Or based on what you really want?
One will leave you wishing you made a different choice 6 months from now.
The other leads to growth.
If I had a dollar for every time I worked I’ve seen clients make decisions based on what’s familiar, I’d be rich.

Are you choosing a job, or renting your life to a number?
Ask yourself: If you remained in the same job for another 3 years, but the money improved, would you be happy?

“I underrepresented myself”
Heard this from a CEO recently
He’d been laid off.
His confidence was attached to the title
“Qualified” doesn’t travel unless you learn how to communicate your value

Golden handcuffs don't ruin careers dramatically.
They do it slowly, over time.
On the outside, you look Ritz Carlton - sharp, got it together.
But inside, you feel Olive Garden - flat, empty.
And no amount of unlimited breadsticks will fulfill that void.
It’s the “Olive Garden Effect” on full display.