Max Ahumada, Author at OACO

188: Sabbatical Secrets – How to Take an Intentional Career Break with Laura Nguyen

by Max Ahumada | Sep 30, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, we look at the underestimated value of taking strategic career breaks with Laura Nguyen, author of “Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off.”

Laura is an experienced marketing executive with an extensive background in data-driven marketing, digital marketing and communications for Fortune 500 companies. She is also a certified executive coach, helping mid-career, high-achieving leaders go from burned out to balanced.

Her book shares practical steps to plan and execute a fulfilling and career-enriching break, and how structured time off can lead to significant gains in productivity and personal well-being.

The challenge of maintaining career momentum and drive amidst chronic overwork and lack of work-life balance is a serious issue for many mid- and senior-level professionals. Career breaks are increasingly recognized as essential for long-term career success and personal happiness, yet many don’t pursue them for fear of professional repercussions.

So press play and let’s chat… Laura’s insights will offer strategies and practical advice for intentional career pauses that enhance both personal and professional growth!

187: How to Win at Office Politics and Keep your Integrity

by Max Ahumada | Sep 23, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I dive into the often dreaded topic of office politics and why they are crucial to your career growth as an engineering leader.

I share real-life examples, like my conversation with Matthew, a senior manager who felt stuck and frustrated by the politics in his company. But here’s the catch — it’s not the politics that hold you back, it’s your mindset toward them.
Together, we’ll explore how to shift your perspective, step into the political arena with integrity, and build influence, one person at a time. Plus, I give you practical tips, including how asking the right questions can change everything.

So press play and let’s chat… It’s time to turn office politics into your secret weapon for career success.

186: The 8 Bad Moods that Block Happiness at Work with Matt O’Neill

by Max Ahumada | Sep 16, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, my guest Matt O’Neill teaches us that happiness is a choice, even when life gets tough.

Matt is is global leader in happiness education, teaching audiences how to live a life of ‘Conscious Happiness’ and now having impact over 100,000 people worldwide. His work includes the “Good Mood Revolution” book and podcast where he explains the importance of conquering negative thought patterns while embracing habits that lead to a happier life.

Matt’s teaching isn’t just theory, it’s tested in the real world too. Matt and his wife have 4 young children and they run two successful businesses with $8 Million in revenues and over 80 employees. Living by the happiness principles he teaches, his company is recognized as the #1 company to work for in South Carolina.

Matt’s unique approach to choosing good moods, even in the face of adversity, resonates deeply with each of us.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to unlock your potential for lasting happiness!

185: Facing Economic Uncertainty and Fear in Your Career

by Max Ahumada | Sep 9, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I dive into a critical topic that’s affecting many engineering leaders today: facing uncertainty and fear.

Over the past few months, I’ve had countless conversations with professionals who are feeling the squeeze of an unpredictable economy, career challenges, and the pressure to succeed amidst growing doubts.

Whether it’s a looming layoff, a difficult job search, or navigating career pivots, the fear of the unknown is real. But here’s the truth: the greatest leaders are those who can create certainty in the face of uncertainty.

I’ll share actionable strategies to build confidence, shift your mindset, and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

So press play and let’s chat…how do we find confidence when fear tries to take over?

184: Give Me 90 Days and I’ll Give You a Career Transformation with Bruno Yoshioka | Principal Manager at Microsoft

by Max Ahumada | Sep 2, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, you’ll see what career transformation looks like with Bruno Yoshioka, graduate of the Lifestyle Engineering Blueprint, my intensive coaching program for engineering leaders.

Bruno is currently a Principal Software Engineering Manager at Microsoft working on Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based endpoint management solution. He joined Microsoft out of college in 2014 after completing undergraduate degrees in computer science and music performance.

Throughout his 10+ years of working at Microsoft, he has experienced ups and downs from burnout to great success and elation, and found himself at one of those low points in late 2023.

That’s when he silenced the skeptic in his head, and joined a community of like-minded engineering leaders in coaching and training for career growth and lifestyle design.

He’ll share how he changed his mindset from fixed to growth, renewed his energy, created extreme clarity in his purpose and vision, and overall transformed the quality of his work life…

In just ninety days.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to get off the bleachers and into the arena of your life!

183: These 5 Common Thieves Are Stealing Your Productivity

by Max Ahumada | Aug 26, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I dive into the five thieves of your productivity—those sneaky forces that derail your progress without you even realizing it.

From the lack of clear priorities to energy mismanagement, each thief subtly steals your efficiency, leaving you overwhelmed and frustrated.

I’ll walk you through each one, sharing practical insights on how to identify and combat these productivity killers.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but not getting anywhere, this episode is for you.

So press play and let’s chat… about taking back control of your productivity!

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