Add Your Voice

Growing up, did you feel you were starting your career behind your peers?(required)

Yes Somewhat No

What’s one skill you learned growing up (family, neighborhood, church, sports, anywhere) that you use at work but would never put on a résumé?

Think of the moment you grew most professionally. Was it mostly enjoyable, painful, or both?(required)

Enjoyable Painful Both

What’s a risk you took at work that you were scared of, and what happened?

Have you ever left, or seriously considered leaving, a job mainly because of a manager?(required)

Yes Considered No

What’s one specific thing a manager did that changed your career trajectory? Describe the action, not their personality.

Do you keep a record of your wins?(required)

Always have Started after being burned Never

Describe a time your work was overlooked or credited to someone else. What did you do next?

What mattered more to your biggest promotion or opportunity?(required)

Performance Relationships Both equally Haven't had one

Describe an event or conversation outside your formal job (a happy hour, a golf outing, a hallway chat) that changed your career.

Has a promotion ever disappointed you: more work, not enough more pay or power?(required)

Yes No Haven't been promoted

The last time you left a role, what was the moment you knew it was time?

Have you ever taken leave or stepped back from work because of how the job was affecting you?(required)

Yes Wanted to but didn't No

What’s one boundary you set at work that you wish you’d set sooner?

Have you ever been asked to be the “diversity voice” (on a panel, in recruiting, on a committee) without extra pay or recognition?(required)

Yes No

Who sponsored you, meaning they spent their own influence on your behalf? What did they actually do?

What’s one thing you stopped editing about yourself, and what happened when you did?

What’s something you’re building, or want to build, that has nothing to do with your job title?

Before you send

I am 18 or older and these answers are my own true experience. I give Elijah Cathey-Li permission to use, edit and publish them, in whole or in part, in The Corporate Game and related materials, in any format, without payment. My answers will appear anonymously, with names, employers and identifying details removed, unless I give my first name below and agree to be quoted by it. Submitting does not guarantee inclusion. I can withdraw my answers before publication by emailing elijah@elijahpens.com.

I have read and agree to the terms above

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Leave your first name and email only if you are open to being quoted by first name or contacted for a short follow-up interview.

First name

Email

Twenty questions. Your story could be in the book.

Thank you

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