Ilana Golan: Building a Personal Brand to Leap Your Career Forward

In this episode of the Jeff Bradbury Show, host Jeff Bradbury interviews Ilana Golan, a former military pilot turned tech entrepreneur and founder of Leap Academy. They discuss Ilana's journey through the military, her transition to the tech industry, and the lessons learned along the way. Ilana shares insights on personal branding, finding one's zone of genius, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership. The conversation also touches on the challenges educators face in career transitions and the significance of building a safety net for future opportunities. Ilana emphasizes the need to detach drama from data when navigating career changes and encourages listeners to take intentional steps towards their goals. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today!

Conversation Takeaways

• Ilana Golan's journey showcases the importance of adaptability in career.
• Success often follows a series of failures and lessons learned.
• Building a personal brand is crucial for career advancement.
• Educators should create a safety net for career transitions.
• Finding your zone of genius can lead to greater fulfillment.
• Vulnerability is a strength in leadership and personal growth.
• Networking and intentionality are key to career success.
• The hidden job market is where many opportunities lie.
• Asking for help is essential for growth and success.
• Continuous reinvention is necessary in today's job market.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Career Leaps
• 03:14 Ilana Golan's Journey from Military to Tech
• 05:57 Lessons from the Air Force
• 09:01 Transitioning to the Tech Industry
• 12:04 The Birth of Leap Academy
• 14:56 Navigating Career Changes in Education
• 18:06 Building Your Personal Brand
• 21:00 Finding Your Zone of Genius
• 24:04 The Importance of Passion in Career
• 27:06 The Leap Academy Podcast
• 30:04 Creating Win-Win Scenarios
• 33:02 The Power of Vulnerability
• 35:59 Fast Tracking to Leadership
• 39:07 Creating Your Own Luck
• 42:06 Teachable Moments and Asking for Help
• 44:51 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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About our Guest: Ilana Golan

From an F-16 Flight instructor in the Air Force and the first female commander in her squad, tech executive, entrepreneur of multiple 7-8 figure businesses, investor in over 100 companies, and board director. Ilana Golan started Leap Academy to help anyone driven fast-track their careers. Ilana is also the host of Leap Academy with Ilana Golan podcast in which she interviews CEOs, thought leaders and role models with exceptional careers on how they got to where they are today. She interviewed CEOs of $B companies, top photographers and journalists in the world, and more. Ilana won Startup of the Year for 2023, CEO World Award,