Speaker

June is popular in Western culture as a month to celebrate graduations and is also a favorite time for weddings. The tradition of the June bride actually began in ancient Roman times. The month is named for the Roman goddess Juno, wife of Jupiter, who was associated with feminine vitality, fertility, love, and marriage.

As I speak with many candidates graduating at this time of year, I often wonder, aren’t we all, in one way or another, “graduates of life”?

With strong preparation and a positive mindset, you are bound to succeed. Just like the World Cup contenders you watch and admire during Houston’s upcoming event, be determined to dive into your job search and know that you can pursue your own win in the New Work World.

A reflection on the life lessons shared in a commencement speech, offering guidance on navigating change, embracing fear, staying humble, and approaching new beginnings with purpose.

Be determined to make 2026 your best year yet. Stay open to learning new skills, exploring new opportunities, and embracing new directions on your career journey. Like the honeybee, remain adaptable, purposeful, and willing to work together for the greater good. And when the changing New Work World requires you to learn new steps along the way, remember the timeless message from John Michael Montgomery’s “Life’s a Dance”, growth comes from continuing to move forward, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

I’m grateful to reflect on my mother this Mother's Day and the way the metaphor of dance continues to shape how I view my work as a recruiter. Watching my granddaughter learn her steps and take her bow always brings a smile to my face. And I still appreciate being called a choreographer of careers. It inspires me to keep helping others navigate their own unique career journeys, whatever dance they may be learning.

Have you ever had a series of events that made you reflect on activities you needed to continue because of the positive experiences that came from them? That happened to me recently when I attended two back-to-back conferences. One was an industry conference, and the other was the annual conference for an international organization, Toastmasters. For some reason, these conferences made me reflect on a song that speaks to the opposite of what I had just experienced, the late 1960s hit by Three Dog Night, “One Is the Loneliest Number.”

Reflecting on life’s “backward” moments can provide the insight, perspective, and momentum needed to move forward with greater purpose and confidence.

In this episode of Career Can Do, Pamela McCown joins Mary Ann Faremouth to talk about how learning to communicate clearly, listen effectively, and adapt your message can open new opportunities. Drawing from her experience with Toastmasters and her journey into global leadership, Pamela shares practical insight on what it really means to be understood in professional settings. This conversation highlights the impact of mentorship, stepping outside your comfort zone, and being part of a community that supports growth.

Palm trees are among the oldest plants on earth, with roots reaching back to prehistoric times. For thousands of years they have carried symbolic meaning across many spiritual and religious traditions, including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. Most commonly associated with tropical regions, palm trees have long been linked to fertility rituals, protection, celebration and even victory.

Let’s all be determined not to let the many challenges and changes in the New Work World and beyond hold us back. We are the pilots of our own planes as we travel forward in 2026. By embracing the teachings of the Finns and the Blue Zones, perhaps we can manifest more joy, add greater value to our lives, and make this year the best one yet in the New Work World and beyond.