Ep 72: Your Career Isn’t Broken

Guest Bio:

Tim Toterhi is not your typical CHRO. He’s an author, coach, and executive advisor who is passionate about slashing bureaucracy and rethinking old thinking.

Tim has over 20 years of management experience in the Americas, Europe, and Asia with a focus on talent and performance management. He’s been quoted in publications such as Fast Company, Forbes, Fox Business News, and the HuffPost as well as profiled in the book, Magnificent Leadership.

Tim approaches his practice with a playful smile and an eyebrow up. 

Follow Tim Toterhi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toterhi

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Episode Highlights:

Tim Toterhi, former CHRO and current career coach, is an advocate for "slashing bureaucracy." He shares a refreshing take on how to view your professional journey not as a straight ladder, but as a dynamic evolution fueled by transferable skills.

Tim Toterhi’s book, The Three Gifts, outlines the essential tools needed to navigate career changes and adversity:

1. Perspective: The ability to "widen the lens." Many professionals get trapped in a "blinder mentality," believing they can only do one specific job. Perspective allows you to see how your skills (e.g., writing, teaching, leading) can be applied across different industries.
2. Persistence: This is the "hard work" phase. Be "ruthless with your time" and focus on long-term goals over immediate gratification.
3. Creativity: When hard work isn't enough, creativity provides the "workaround." It’s about finding a different way to achieve a result when you face a constraint or lack a specific resource.

Actionable Takeaways

1. Conduct a "How, Where, When, and Why" Audit

If you feel frustrated in your current role, diagnose the root cause before quitting.

• The "How, Where, and When": If you love the work but hate the manager, the commute, or the processes, you need a change of location (a new company or team).
• The "Why": If you have lost the passion for the work itself, you need a change of profession (a new discipline).
• Slow down. Don't use an "escape hatch" just to flee; move toward a specific goal to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

2. Adopt the "Power of Yet"

In interviews or career growth, don't let a lack of specific knowledge stop you. Experience is often a commodity, but a learning mindset is rare.

• Instead of saying "I don't know AI" or "I'm not a finance person," say "I don't know that yet." This signals to employers that you are a problem-solver who can adapt to future challenges.

3. Master "Power Listening" (For Leaders)

For hiring managers, look beyond the resume to assess potential.

• Ask candidates to walk you through their career history. Don't just listen to the dates and titles; listen for the why behind their transitions. Are they telling a story of persistence? Do they highlight creative workarounds? Look for the logic behind their risks and failures.

4. Reframe Your Fear of Change

People don’t fear change like many may think. We resist change that we don't understand or disagree with.

• If you are hesitant to make a career move, identify what information is missing. Often, more research or a few networking conversations will provide the clarity needed to turn fear into a calculated decision.

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Tim’s website

Tim’s books

The Three Gifts on Amazon