We’re going to start this one with a question: How was success defined for you when you were 18?

For many, the definition of success was likely narrowly defined as “study hard and make it into a great university”.

Many of us today can agree that this definition is limiting. Thankfully, in recent years more and more job descriptions are shifting their degree requirements and instead honing in on “years of related experience” or technical expertise.

In our latest episode of the Outside Insights podcast, I talk Brian Matthew Rhodes, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Opportunity@Work.

Opportunity@Work’s is a really neat organization that’s on a mission to rewire the labor market so that everyone Skilled Through Alternative Routes, or STARs, can work, learn, and earn to their full potential.

In other words, a four-year degree isn’t the only path to success. At Placers, we’re proud to help job seekers with diverse backgrounds and experience levels find work, so of course we’ve been big fans of Opportunity@Work for a while.

During our talk, Brian provided eye-opening perspectives on how degree requirements can disadvantage certain groups and why skills-based hiring makes sense, especially given the current labor shortages. Opportunity@Work has conducted research that highlights the on-the-job potential of STARs and points to them as a solution for broadening talent pools with great candidates that would otherwise be overlooked.

Here are a the key takeaways from this episode:

– Opportunity@Work pushes for skills-based hiring so those without degrees have equal opportunities.
– There are ~70 million American “STARs” skilled through bootcamps, certifications, and military service.
– Research shows “STARs” are disproportionately people of color, women, vets, and rural workers. Hiring STARs helps uphold businesses critical commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.
– With today’s labor shortages, expanding talent pools beyond degrees just makes business sense.
– Brian shares his “5 fingers of success” and explains why he would tell his 21-year old self to be patient – a reminder I think we could all use.
– How learning from younger generations and diverse viewpoints helps fosters workplace inclusion.
– Rise with the STARs Report

At Outside Insights, we’re all about changing the status quo and coloring outside the lines. By embracing STAR’s in the workplace, we can create a more skills-focused and inclusive workforce that empowers all talents to thrive – and I think that’s something we should all embrace.

If you were 18 today, would you consider alternative routes to a four-year university? Reply and let me know. Let’s discuss.

Until next time,

Chris

In this insightful chapter of Opposite the Crowd, I had the pleasure of engaging in a rewarding conversation with my dad, Alan Burkhard, on the concept of “right-thinking” and its impact on personal and professional development. Our discussion revolved around the power of aligning one’s thoughts and actions with a clear purpose and set of values, understanding oneself, and creating value for others.

The key themes we talk about are listed below for your skimming pleasure:

A Mindset for Success:

Alan introduced the concept of right-thinking as a mindset that permeates every aspect of an individual’s or organization’s endeavors. It serves as the driving force behind our decisions, actions, and ultimately, our success. As we explored the intricacies of right-thinking, Alan outlined four foundational steps that form the bedrock of this approach: knowledge-driven decision-making, embracing change, effective leadership, and taking calculated risks.

Building a Strong Foundation:

As we delve deeper into Alan’s philosophies, we discuss the importance of self-awareness and building a strong system of beliefs. Without a firm foundation, we may struggle to unlock our full potential or find lasting fulfillment. I became convinced that authenticity and self-discovery are essential ingredients for aligning our actions with our true selves, rather than being solely driven by external expectations.

Creating Value:

Creating value for customers emerged as a fundamental aspect of right-thinking, both in personal and professional relationships. We emphasized that value creation should be at the core of our endeavors. By understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of our customers, we can forge meaningful connections and contribute to their success and well-being. We discussed the challenges associated with changing cultural and mindset patterns, as doing the right thing often encounters resistance. However, we inspired listeners to persevere through these challenges, as they can lead to tremendous growth and improvement.

Leadership and Right-Thinking:

Leadership plays a pivotal role in driving right-thinking within an organization. It’s equally important for employees to embrace the company culture while also cultivating their own unique way of thinking and staying true to their personal system of beliefs.

By embracing a culturally driven mindset, understanding oneself, and creating value for others, individuals can embark on a transformative journey. The importance of knowledge, change, leadership, and taking calculated risks in cultivating personal and professional growth has been underscored.

Throughout the years, Alan’s insights and experiences have inspired me to invest time in understanding myself better, aligning my thinking with my values, and striving for success and fulfillment in both work and life.

What would you add as a key characteristic of right-thinking? Everyone’s definition can, and should, be a little bit different. After all, the heart of it is developing your own system of beliefs and living authentically by them.

Until next time, friends.

Chris

I’m blessed to have many people in my circle that inspire me and push me to become a better version of myself every day just through their example. Some of these people are close to me, like my wife or my father.

Others, I’ve met throughout the seasons of life and am honored to have them in my network – cheering one another on as we reach new milestones. One of these people is Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, the president of Goldey–Beacom College in Wilmington and recent Outside Insights podcast guest.

Colleen welcomed me into her office shortly after becoming President and we engaged immediately in talks of leadership, higher education and all things business. During the pandemic I had the honor of being the commencement speaker for the College and Colleen had to listen to me at least six times with each graduation ceremony. I have linked here as the message fits our conversation.

During our talk, Colleen shared her inspiring journey, from her early career experiences to her current role as a college president, offering valuable insights into personal growth, mentorship, and leading integrative lives. All in all, the lessons she shared really highlights one critically important value of Outside Insights: Authentic leadership.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Colleen’s career journey and the lessons she learned along the way, including the importance of having mentors who guide and support professional growth.
• Why adaptability and seizing opportunities to learn and expand one’s skill set are crucial for success.
• The importance of continuous learning, building relationships within the higher education industry, and Colleen’s unique perspective on effective leadership.
• And of course, in true Outside Insights fashion, the importance of balancing different aspects of life, such as family, career, and personal interests, is emphasized.

Save this podcast for your next morning commute or start it now. You won’t want to miss Colleen’s lessons for personal and professional development as you reflect on your own journey and consider ways to cultivate growth and balance in your life.

Until next time, friends.

Chris