Andy LaCavita of Milewalk Academy: 5 Things You Should Do To Become a Thought Leader In Your Industry
An Interview With Dina Aletras
Continuously Learn and Adapt: The landscape of any industry is continually evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies is crucial. I dedicate time to learning and adapting, which not only enhances my own knowledge but also ensures that the advice I offer is current and relevant. This commitment to growth is often communicated through my content, showcasing my dedication to not just maintaining but advancing industry standards.
As part of our series about how to become known as a thought leader in your industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew LaCivita.
Andrew LaCivita, a globally-renowned career and leadership coach, is the founder of the milewalk Academy®. During the course of his distinguished career, he has impacted over 350 companies, more than 100,000 individuals, and spanned nearly 200 countries, helping them unlock their full potential. He is an award-winning author who gained international recognition with his groundbreaking books, Interview Intervention: Communication That Gets You Hired and The Hiring Prophecies: Psychology behind Recruiting Successful Employees. Both of these seminal works, along with his celebrated vlog, Tips for Work and Life®, consistently earn top spots on reputable, worldwide lists which rank the best career advice books and blogs. Andrew remains actively engaged across various social media platforms and shares his expertise through his weekly Live Office Hours on YouTube every Thursday.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! Our readers are eager to learn more about you. Could you provide some background information about yourself?
I’m a career and leadership coach and the founder of the milewalk Academy®, dedicated to helping individuals realize their career potential.
Before founding milewalk®, Inc., my executive search firm, in 2004, I spent 17 years as an Information Technology and Management consultant. In 2015, I expanded milewalk® to include the milewalk Academy®, and now focus entirely supporting individuals in their professional growth.
With my 36-year career spanning consulting, recruitment, and coaching, I’ve assisted more than 350 companies and 100,000 individuals across nearly 200 countries.
I’ve authored award-winning books, including Interview Intervention: Communication That Gets You Hired and The Hiring Prophecies: Psychology behind Recruiting Successful Employees. My latest book, The Zebra Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Mastering Career Skills That Make You a Standout Professional, codifies essential career skill-building and teaches how to build the skills.
I share insights through my vlog and podcast, Tips for Work and Life®, and host a complimentary weekly career show, Live Office Hours, every Thursday, on my YouTube channel.
What establishes you as an authority on thought leadership? Could you briefly share your expertise with our readers?
My authority in thought leadership is anchored in a rich blend of extensive corporate and operational experience, coupled with a profound dedication to personal and professional development.
With a 36-year career helping hundreds of prominent organizations and coaching individuals across nearly 200 countries, I’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge and insights into both operational excellence and human dynamics.
I’ve distilled and formalized this expertise into numerous training programs designed to empower companies and professionals, solidifying my position as a leader in career and leadership development.
Can you recall a funny mistake you made when you were first starting out? What lesson did you learn from it?
One common mistake I made, which I see many others make, is waiting too long to launch my first online training product. Initially, I spent six months meticulously building a program, creating videos, and developing all the necessary templates and assets for my students.
Now, I adopt a more agile approach. I spend a few weeks creating new content and collateral, then we build the programs together in a live, interactive (online) format. I continuously iterate and improve based on real-time feedback.
This agile methodology ensures that value is delivered sooner, provides me with practical experience and feedback, and accelerates the overall process of adding value to the world.
For virtually everyone I coach, the common issue is taking too long to release “Version 1.0” of their projects. I often say, “It doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be breathing.”
What are the most significant disruptions you foresee in your industry over the next five years, and how can businesses adapt to these changes?
In my career coaching business, I consider it bulletproof from a demand perspective. People will always have careers and need counseling. What will change, however, is the need for career coaches to adapt to the evolving needs of their clients.
For example, technological advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence, will abruptly affect some employees and create opportunities for others.
Global talent pools and easy access to remote workers is changing the way businesses operate. This, in turn, makes it more difficult for some employees and easier for others.
The change in workforce expectations with more employees increasingly seeking work-life balance and purpose-driven careers will affect workplace dynamics.
The gig economy and freelance work is growing, with more individuals seeking freelance and contract work. Many people have multiple “full-time” jobs, something that was unheard of a decade or so ago.
Career coaches will need to evolve their approaches so their clients can navigate this new landscape effectively.
Can you explain the benefits of becoming a thought leader? Why is it valuable to invest time and resources into this?
Becoming a thought leader is about building credibility and trust with your audience. It’s the credibility that leads to the benefits — for others.
Credibility makes it easier to influence opinions, drive change, and garner support for your ideas and initiatives. Sharing your insights and knowledge — consistently and constantly — enables you to cultivate a recognizable and respected presence. That presence opens doors to new opportunities, collaborations, partnerships, and, of course, customers.
For me, being a thought leader provides personal fulfillment and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. That’s one of the biggest reasons I offer a free weekly show where people can ask me their career-related questions. I always say, “The joy is in the doing.”
Can you share an example of a significant challenge you faced in your career and how you leveraged innovative thinking to overcome it?
One of the most pivotal challenges I faced was during the early days of founding my company, milewalk®. Transitioning from a career in management and IT consulting to starting an executive recruiting firm was a big leap. Despite my extensive experience in consulting, I had never actually recruited a day in my life before this venture.
The challenge was not just about establishing a new business but also about gaining the trust of both companies and job candidates in a field where I was unknown. The innovative approach I took involved leveraging my deep understanding of the corporate roles for which I was recruiting. I knew if I could communicate effectively how my previous experiences aligned with the needs of both the companies and the candidates, it would set me apart.
I developed a proprietary recruitment methodology based on predictive analytics, which was quite innovative at the time. This methodology wasn’t just about filling positions but about predicting the long-term success of hires, thereby reducing turnover and increasing satisfaction on both ends.
This approach allowed me to quickly establish credibility and trust with clients and candidates alike, leading to the rapid growth of milewalk®. It was a testament to how innovative thinking can not only solve immediate problems but also set the foundation for sustained success in a competitive industry.
Can you share five strategies that someone should follow to gain recognition as a thought leader in their industry? Please include examples or stories from your own experience for each strategy.
It’s really a strategic — and ongoing — process that involves showcasing your expertise and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. Five good strategies would be:
1. Create Valuable Content: One of the most effective ways to establish yourself as a thought leader is to produce content that addresses the pain points and aspirations of your audience. For example, I’ve written books like Interview Intervention and The Hiring Prophecies which provide insights into the hiring process and career development. My latest book, The Zebra Code, addresses the issues related to building the right career skills. These books have helped position me as an expert in the career coaching field by offering valuable, actionable advice to job seekers and hiring professionals alike.
2. Leverage Social Media Platforms: Social media is a powerful tool for thought leaders to share their insights and engage with a broader audience. I actively use platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram to share content, from detailed posts and articles to interactive live sessions. This continuous engagement helps maintain visibility and reinforces my expertise in career development and leadership coaching.
3. Speak at Industry Events: Speaking engagements are a fantastic way to gain visibility and establish credibility. I’ve spoken at numerous conferences and seminars, sharing my insights on career growth and effective hiring practices. Each speaking opportunity helps solidify my reputation as a knowledgeable and reliable industry leader, while also allowing me to connect directly with my audience.
4. Network Strategically: Building relationships with other industry professionals can amplify your reach and credibility. I make it a point to connect with other thought leaders and influencers, which has opened up opportunities for collaborations that enhance my visibility and authority. For instance, guest appearances on popular podcasts or joint webinars are great ways to reach new audiences.
5. Continuously Learn and Adapt: The landscape of any industry is continually evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies is crucial. I dedicate time to learning and adapting, which not only enhances my own knowledge but also ensures that the advice I offer is current and relevant. This commitment to growth is often communicated through my content, showcasing my dedication to not just maintaining but advancing industry standards.
How do you foster a culture of innovation within your organization, and what practices have you found most effective in encouraging creative thinking among your team?
Interestingly, as you ask me this question, next week, I’m teaching my Leadership Coaching Group a lesson on Innovation Leadership: Fostering Creativity and Driving Advancement!
I’m teaching them the key steps I take to live these practices in my own company. It’s a combination of setting clear objectives, encouraging creativity, implementing diverse thinking strategies, encouraging collaboration, providing the right resources and tools, establishing an idea management system, offering training, measuring and rewarding innovation, and leading by example.
Who do you think is an outstanding example of a thought leader? What specific qualities impress you about this person?
Brendon Burchard. His single greatest quality is he’s willing to try new things. Take enough swings, you’ll get a hit. People only remember the hit. They never care how many attempts you took. He embodies this.
How do you stay informed about the latest trends and developments in your field, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your strategic planning?
While there are many great ways to stay informed, you might be surprised to know my greatest technique is simply to show up every Thursday on my YouTube channel to see what issues my community is facing.
They ask me their questions and tell me their problems, and I solve them for them right there on the spot.
I always tell people, “Your greatest opportunities will be found in the sounds of other people’s complaints. Solve their problem and you’re their hero.”
Because I conduct my show weekly, I’m constantly learning about any micro changes in the market. This keeps me current and enables me to build or augment programs that address the latest issues in the market.
Additionally, on average, I coach ten individuals each week. That’s one-to-one directly as opposed to group coaching. That’s approximately 500 individual interactions each year. It’s amazing how much information you can collect when you talk directly to that many people across the world.
Some people feel that the term “thought leader” is overused and has lost its impact. What are your thoughts on this?
I have no issue with the term thought leader. It’s preferable if you don’t call yourself one and let others do that for you.
I have a real issue with the “no-barrier to entry” as it relates to coaching (of any kind). Today, anyone with a cell phone, which is everyone, can turn it on, shoot a selfie-video, and call themself a coach.
While I’m all for opportunities for everyone, this level of ease in which someone can circulate their message makes it difficult for people who need great coaching to sift through all the noise on the Internet.
I hear painful stories day after day from people who had horrible experiences with other coaches. This makes people reluctant to search for the right coaches and mentors.
It’s not something I’m going to be able to change, but since you asked my opinion on this, that’s what I think.
How do you balance short-term business goals with long-term strategic vision, especially in a rapidly changing market?
No changes in the market will ever affect my long-term strategic vision. It simply won’t happen.
Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I have a mission, vision, strategy, and goals and they’re not changing. Period.
It doesn’t make any difference to me how processes or tools or demand changes. I can adapt and still keep my mission in order.
My vision (and mission) is to help people in their careers. I do this via two curriculum: job search and leadership development.
I plan for the year, quarter, month, and week. It doesn’t matter if unemployment is up or down or we’re hit with a pandemic. People need jobs and they want to do well in them. I simply adjust my teaching to accommodate the latest trends.
The goal is the goal. These are locked in. The plan is adjustable. I like to say, “Fall in love with the planning process, not the plan.”
I have all the mediums by which to deliver my insight and services. We just keep going and keep the noise out. Again, as I mentioned above, I listen to the people and give them what they need to solve their problems and thrive.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? How has it been relevant in your life?
I personally put out a daily life lesson quote, so I’ll avoid any of my quotes. I’m assuming you’re asking about something I’ve heard. One quote that immediately comes to mind is from Mark Twain. He said, I believe it’s along the lines of, “I’ve been through some terrible things in my life. Some of which actually happened.”
I practice this constantly. I try not to worry until I know I need to worry! I even keep a “worry book” as a technique to minimize my worrying.
I have this little field notebook that’s with me most of the time. If I ever find myself worrying about the future or even being upset about the present, I write down what I’m thinking. The only entries that go into this book are “worries.”
Then, as time goes on, I look back. As you might imagine, dare I say 100% of the time, the issue never occurs or it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. The more consistently you practice this tip, the less frequently you’ll worry. This is actually how I train myself not to worry.
Many influential figures in business and entertainment follow this column. Is there someone you’d love to have lunch or breakfast with?
Brendon Burchard. He’s taught me a lot.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Anyone interested in following me, can head to the main website at www.milewalkacademy.com.
I’m also on all social media channels at YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter (X), Threads.
My book The Zebra Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Mastering Career Skills That Makes You a Standout Professional is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
Thank you so much for your insights. This was very insightful and meaningful.
About the Interviewer: Dina Aletras boasts over 20 years of expertise in the corporate media industry. She possesses an in-depth understanding of growth, strategy, and leadership, having held significant roles at some of the UK’s largest media organizations. At Reach PLC, the UK’s largest tabloid publisher, she served in various director capacities. Additionally, she held leadership roles at The Independent Magazine Group and DMGT. Her extensive knowledge spans editorial, digital, revenue, sales, and advertising.
Upon relocating to Switzerland, Dina took on the responsibility of managing and promoting the international section of Corriere del Ticino — CdT.ch pioneering the English page “onthespot.” She also was the Co-Editor of Southern Switzerland’s first official Italian and English bilingual magazine.
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