This year, I decided to find out.

I taught at a local middle school and created an entrepreneurship class where students learned to identify everyday problems, develop solutions, and present their ideas in a Shark Tank–style competition judged by local business leaders.

What happened next surprised me.

One student built a news platform designed specifically for kids. Another created an app to help teenagers find local jobs. One designed a sting-free hand sanitizer after experiencing the problem herself. Another created a beach bag towel.

None of them was asked to memorize facts for a test.

They were asked to think like entrepreneurs.

The Missing Track in Education

There is a defined path for almost every traditional profession in our education system.

If a student wants to become a doctor, they know which classes to take. Future lawyers have a roadmap. Aspiring accountants understand the progression.

But entrepreneurship, the profession responsible for creating many of the companies, technologies, and innovations that shape our world, has no structured educational path.

I’ve been thinking about this gap for years.

As a founder, I’ve spent my career building businesses and mentoring entrepreneurs. Again and again, I’ve noticed that successful founders share a common set of skills: curiosity, resilience, creativity, problem-solving, and the confidence to take action. Yet these are rarely taught intentionally in school.

Now that I have two daughters in middle school, I see the gap firsthand.

Students come home memorizing information they can retrieve in seconds with a computer or smartphone. Meanwhile, very little in the curriculum teaches them how to identify a meaningful problem, validate an idea, build a solution, or communicate it with confidence.

Those are the skills that create innovators.

So instead of waiting for someone else to build that curriculum, I decided to create it myself.

Why Middle School?

Why did I choose middle school instead of high school or college?

The answer is simple.

First, timing matters.

Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea that mastery requires roughly 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. Meaningful skills are developed over time.

If entrepreneurship is a skill, and I believe it absolutely is, why would we wait until someone’s twenties to begin practicing it?

Second, middle school students occupy a unique stage of life.

They’re old enough to recognize real problems in the world around them, yet still young enough to believe they can actually solve them. They haven’t yet learned all the reasons something “can’t” be done.

That optimism is a competitive advantage.

Finally, I think about the many young adults I’ve mentored who graduate from college without a clear sense of direction. That’s not a failure on their part. It’s often the result of an education system that prepares students to answer questions rather than ask better ones.

Imagine how different their trajectory might be if they’d been encouraged to think like builders at twelve instead of twenty-two.

The Experiment

I taught an eight-session entrepreneurship elective class.

Students learned how to identify real-world problems, understand their target audience, validate ideas, and design an app, product, or website that addressed a genuine need.

The program culminated in a Shark Tank–style pitch competition judged by local business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Because two of my own daughters participated in the program, I intentionally invited an independent panel of judges to ensure every project was evaluated fairly and objectively.

The students presented their ideas, answered challenging questions, received constructive feedback, and experienced something many adults never do: defending an idea they created from scratch.

Every student identified a meaningful problem.

Every student built a solution.

Every student stood in front of the room and pitched an idea they believed in.

That’s the real success story.

The Pattern That Emerged

None of the students began with a business idea.

They began with a frustration.

One was tired of biased news.

Another struggled to find local work.

One disliked the painful hand sanitizer.

Children don’t need to be taught how to have ideas.

They need permission to notice problems and believe they’re capable of solving them.

That simple shift changes everything.

Instead of asking, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”

They begin asking, “What problem can I solve?”

That’s the mindset entrepreneurs carry throughout their lives.

A Different Kind of Education

Students probably won’t remember every math worksheet they completed in seventh grade.

But they’ll remember standing in front of a room, confidently pitching an idea they created themselves. They’ll remember answering difficult questions. They’ll remember realizing that adults took their ideas seriously.

That confidence doesn’t stay inside the classroom.

It follows them into college, careers, leadership, and every challenge they encounter afterward.

We spend years preparing students to fit into the world.

What if we spent more time preparing them to improve it?

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting companies. It’s about developing the curiosity to question the status quo, the resilience to learn from failure, and the confidence to believe that one person can make a difference.

Those are qualities every child deserves to develop, regardless of the career they eventually choose.

Because the future won’t be built by the people who simply memorize the right answers.

It will be built by the people who learn to ask better questions and have the courage to create the answers.

The post What Happened When You Teach Middle Schoolers to Think Like Entrepreneurs first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

We call it our Annual Family Retreat.

For the past three years, we’ve set aside a few uninterrupted hours to look back on the past year, talk about what we’re grateful for, reflect on what we’d like to do differently, and dream about the year ahead.

The retreat isn’t the same every year. As our kids grow, our conversations change. I tweak our workbook each year to reflect their ages, what’s happening in our family, and the season of life we’re in. Some activities have become traditions we look forward to, while others evolve right alongside us.

It’s become one of my favorite days of the year.

As an entrepreneur, I spend several days every year planning for my business. We review what’s working, what’s not, and where we want to go next. We set goals, talk through challenges, and make sure our leadership team is aligned before the new year begins.

A few years ago, I found myself asking:

If I spend this much time intentionally planning for my business, why wouldn’t I do the same for my family?

Most families spend their lives reacting. We rush from school to work, from sports to homework, from one activity to the next, hoping that somewhere in the middle of all the busyness, we’re becoming the family we want to be.

But hope isn’t a strategy.

Strong families, like strong businesses, don’t happen by accident. They grow through intentional conversations, shared values, and making time for what matters most.

That’s what our Annual Family Retreat has become.

We Start with Creativity

I’ve learned that if you hand kids a workbook and ask them to spend the afternoon reflecting, you’ll probably lose them within five minutes.

So we always begin with something fun.

One of our exercises is the 60 Ideas Exercise.

We’ll pick a category and challenge everyone to come up with ten ideas as quickly as they can. It might be ten business ideas, ten ways to snap out of a bad mood, ten inventions that would make life easier, or ten things you’d want if you were stranded on a deserted island.

The answers are often hilarious.

The point isn’t to come up with brilliant ideas.

It’s to get everyone thinking creatively, laughing together, and reminding ourselves that there are no wrong ideas during brainstorming.

By the time we’re finished, everyone is engaged, relaxed, and ready for the deeper conversations.

Then We Look Back

Before we think about the future, we spend time talking honestly about the past year.

What were our favorite family memories?

Did we make enough time for each other?

What vacations stood out?

Did we read as much as we wanted?

Were we healthy?

Did we grow in our relationships with Hashem and with one another?

It’s so easy to focus on everything we didn’t accomplish.

This exercise forces us to celebrate what went well before talking about what we’d like to improve.

Sometimes the kids bring up moments I had completely forgotten, an afternoon at the beach, a fun family dinner, or a simple conversation that meant more to them than I ever realized.

Those moments remind me that what children remember isn’t always what parents expect.

We Talk About Our Values

Every family has values.

The question is whether we’ve ever taken the time to define them together.

We talk about kindness.

Putting family first.

Gratitude.

Responsibility.

Generosity.

These aren’t lectures.

They’re conversations.

Sometimes our kids see things differently than we do.

Sometimes they challenge us.

Sometimes they remind us that they’re listening far more closely than we realize.

Those discussions have become some of the best moments of the retreat because they help us define not just what we do as a family, but who we want to become.

Then We Dream

This is everyone’s favorite part.

We each set personal goals for the coming year, but we also create goals as a family.

Where do we want to travel?

What healthy habits do we want to build?

How do we want to spend more quality time together?

What would make this year feel meaningful?

The kids make a list of the families they would like to invite for Shabbos during the coming year.

It’s a simple exercise, but it reminds us that building a meaningful life isn’t only about achieving goals.

It’s also about opening our home, strengthening relationships, and creating community.

Why We Keep Doing It

If you asked my kids what they remember most about these retreats, I don’t think they’d say the workbook.

They’d remember the conversations.

They’d remember laughing together.

They’d remember feeling heard.

They’d remember talking about dreams instead of schedules.

Over the years, our workbooks have become a time capsule of our family.

Throughout the year, the kids will sometimes pull out a workbook from a previous year and flip through it. They laugh at goals they wrote when they were younger, remember family moments they had forgotten, and get excited when they realize how many of those goals they actually achieved.

It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t happen all at once. Looking back helps them see how much they’ve changed, what they’ve accomplished, and how far they’ve come. It also gives them confidence to dream a little bigger the next time we sit down together.

In a world that’s always focused on what’s next, taking time to celebrate progress is a gift.

In a world full of constant notifications and endless distractions, setting aside a few intentional hours each year has become one of the greatest gifts we give ourselves.

Not because we accomplish every goal we write down.

We don’t.

Not because everything goes according to plan.

It never does.

But because we make time to pause.

To listen.

To reflect.

To dream.

I’ve spent years learning that successful businesses don’t grow by accident.

The same is true for families.

The strongest families aren’t necessarily the ones with the fewest challenges. They’re the ones who create space to communicate, grow together, and return to what matters most.

Our Annual Family Retreat has become one of the ways we do that.

The systems I’ve built have helped me grow a business.

But the tradition I’m most proud of is the one we’re building at home.

The post Why We Hold an Annual Family Retreat Every Year first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

When your leadership team leaves an annual planning session feeling clearer, closer, and genuinely energized, you know you did something right.

4D Global’s annual leadership planning session this year exceeded every expectation. When I asked the team for feedback, the response was unanimous: 12 out of 10.

We are a fully remote leadership team spread across the U.S. and India, so bringing everyone together in one room is both rare and incredibly valuable. This wasn’t just about setting goals. It was about energy, trust, creativity, and alignment.

If you are an entrepreneur thinking about hosting an annual planning session or any leadership offsite, here’s 9 tips I’ve learned over the years to maximize impact.

1. Start With Environment and Energy

Where you meet matters.

This year, I intentionally chose a conference room overlooking the ocean in sunny Florida. Not because it was flashy, but because expansive views create expansive thinking. When you want leaders to zoom out, think creatively, and imagine what’s possible, the physical environment sets the tone before a single word is spoken.

If your team is already traveling, make it worth their while. Put them somewhere beautiful. Let the experience feel special.

This isn’t indulgent. It’s strategic.

2. Build the Relationship Before the Roadmap

Before we talked strategy, we broke bread.

We had dinner together the night before the session started. No agenda. No slides. Just connection. That time created a layer of camaraderie that carried through every conversation the next day.

People do their best thinking and most honest sharing when they feel safe and seen. You cannot shortcut this part.

Annual planning works best when it starts with human connection, not spreadsheets.

3. Create Psychological Safety From the Start

One of my favorite exercises this year came from Jeff, our Integrator he opened the meeting by saying:

“Congratulations, you’re fired. Today, you’re all advisors to the company.”

Titles come off. Hierarchy fades. Everyone is invited to think like an entrepreneur and speak freely.

This simple reframing creates a safe space where no one dominates the conversation and everyone feels responsible for the outcome. The best ideas often come from unexpected places, but only if people feel comfortable sharing them.

4. Kick Things Off With a Creative Exercise

We started the session with a powerful exercise led by our CTO, Nishant.

The prompt was simple yet bold: If we had $10 million to start a brand-new healthcare company today, what would we build?

We were challenged to think about building something from scratch without any limitations and map that idea through a classic hero’s journey framework

The goal wasn’t to land on a perfect business plan. The goal was to unlock creativity, stretch our mindset, and get everyone to contribute.

This type of exercise immediately shifts the room from tactical to visionary and sets the tone for everything that follows.

5. Do the Real Work Together

Once we were aligned and warmed up, we got into it.

In one day, we worked through nearly 60 real issues using our Entrepreneurial Operating System model. These were things that would have taken months to resolve over Teams. Being in the same room allowed us to move faster, communicate clearly, and make confident decisions.

We aligned on our growth goals, pressure-tested assumptions, and had honest conversations about what’s working and where we need to improve.

This is where in-person time truly pays off.

6. Treat Your People Well

This matters more than most leaders realize.

We made sure:

• Travel was easy and well-coordinated
• Everyone stayed somewhere comfortable and welcoming
• Breakfast and meals were thoughtful
• Welcome gift bags were waiting in their rooms

Gifting is a love language for a reason. It signals care, appreciation, and intention. When people feel valued, they show up differently.

7. Be Present, Open, and Appreciative

As leaders, it’s easy to forget this: no one owes us their energy, ideas, or commitment.

Thank your people, often and sincerely.

Be present in the room. Listen more than you speak. Be willing to be vulnerable. Some of the most meaningful moments in our session came from honest reflection and shared ownership of both wins and challenges.

That level of openness doesn’t happen by accident. It’s modeled from the top down.

8. Sweat the Details

None of this works without great execution.

I’m incredibly grateful for my personal assistant, who handled logistics from start to finish. Airport rides. Hotel coordination. Welcome bags. Schedules. Every detail was handled so the leadership team could stay focused on planning out the year ahead.

Details don’t feel small to the people experiencing them. They are the difference between a good offsite and a great one.

9. Leave Aligned and Energized

We walked away clear on our vision, aligned on our priorities, and genuinely energized about the year ahead.

For a remote company, these moments of in-person collaboration are invaluable. They remind us why we’re building together and what’s possible when smart, committed people work towards a common goal with intention.

Final Thought for Entrepreneurs

Annual planning isn’t about locking yourself in a room to build a perfect plan.

It’s about:

• Building trust before tackling tactics
• Energy before execution
• People before process

When you get those ingredients right, the strategy follows.

If you want to build something meaningful, give yourself and your team the gift of real connection. It will pay dividends long after the offsite ends.

The post How to Organize a Successful Annual Planning Session first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

The trip itself was short. We spent just three days across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. But the impact was anything but small.

We met with business leaders, educators, religious figures, government representatives, and community members. Across every conversation, the message was universal: the vast majority of people we met want peace. They want coexistence. They want prosperity together. They believe we have far more in common than what divides us.

That alone challenged something deep inside me.

The Stories We Inherit

I am the oldest grandchild of Holocaust survivors. Like many children and grandchildren of survivors, I was raised with a heightened sense of vigilance. A protective instinct passed down through lived experience. My grandparents had friends, neighbors, people they trusted, who betrayed them. The lesson they learned, and lovingly passed on, was simple: be careful. Don’t trust too easily. You never really know who is safe.

That is generational trauma. Every culture carries its own version of it.

For me, that trauma was reinforced in a very modern way on September 11th, 2001. I remember life before 9/11. Airports without security lines. Shoes on. Water bottles allowed. And then everything changed. The fear I was taught suddenly became real, personal, and lasting. The narrative that took hold for many of us was dangerous in its simplicity: they want to hurt us.

For the last 24 years, that story lived quietly in the background of my generation’s mind.

A Moment of Pause

One of the leaders of our recent journey, Eli Epstein, shared his own story of being raised by Holocaust survivors and the generational trauma that was passed on to him. He spoke about how business relationships in the region have slowly changed his worldview. While doing business in the Middle East, he got to know people as humans, not headlines. Coexisting with the Sheikhs forced him to question the lessons he had inherited.

That resonated with me deeply, and this trip became a “stopping the cycle” moment for me.

Because what we heard again and again was not hate, but longing for peace. Not hostility, but hope. Leaders spoke openly about wanting to coexist with Israel and the Jewish people. They talked about Jews as cousins, both biblically and culturally. About building trade relationships, shared prosperity, and a future rooted in mutual respect. About loving each other.

I asked hard questions. Ones I had been carrying for decades. How do you tell who is dangerous? How do you know who to trust?

The answer wasn’t clean or perfect. But one thing became clear: extremism represents a minority, not the whole, of the Middle East. Allowing fear to define an entire people only ensures the cycle of mistrust continues.

Peace as a Grassroots Strategy

The emotional heart of the trip came during an evening hosted by a prominent educator and advisor close to the country’s leadership, Dr. Ali. He welcomed us into his home, served us a beautiful dinner, and spoke at length about peace, coexistence, and responsibility. Then he introduced us to his students and team.

Many of them were young, thoughtful, and passionate about a vision for peace and coexistence.

Their strategy is grassroots, based on education and relationship-building. Showing the world that Muslims want to be seen not as threats, but as peace-loving people committed to harmony and progress.

In that moment, I realized something powerful: peace doesn’t start at summits. It starts in living rooms.

I found myself offering what I know best. Connection. I shared that I have deep relationships in India, where some of their grassroots efforts are based, and offered my network to support their work. It felt meaningful to contribute not just with opinions, but with access.

When Connection Turns Into Action

Another evening brought us to the home of a Jewish woman who had left France and settled in Dubai with her four young children. She spoke openly, emotionally, about her desire to provide her children with a Jewish school. About how hard it felt to carry that vision alone.  As she spoke, I thought: this is where change actually happens.

I connected her with a close friend from a philanthropic family whose passion is education. Serendipitously, the family patriarch happened to be in Dubai at the same time and was deeply moved by her vision. I was so grateful to play a small role in helping her realize her dream of opening this school that will do so much good for future generations.

This is what changemaking looks like. It doesn’t have to be grand gestures. Just paying attention. Making the introduction. Trusting that the right people will do the rest.

A Country That Thinks in Generations

One of the most striking experiences of my trip was visiting the Museum of the Future. I have never seen a country think so far ahead. Here in the United States, we operate in four-year increments, while the UAE is planning toward 2070.

The museum paints a vivid picture of life 50 years from now. Robotics. Renewable energy. Health and wellness. Presence. Connection.

One exhibit focused entirely on being in the present moment. On vibration, sound, energy, and awareness. It echoed much of what I’ve been learning recently: that the more present we are, the more powerful our connections become.

Peace requires that same long-term thinking. It asks us to move beyond reaction and into responsibility.

Symbols That Matter

We visited a Holocaust museum built on royal land, with the explicit intention of educating people about Jewish history. Walking through it, I felt something shift. It mattered that this story was being told there. That acknowledgement by the country’s rulers is a powerful step toward true progress.

We visited the Grand Mosque, covering ourselves fully out of respect and connecting with Muslim traditions. We also toured the Israeli embassy, quietly and carefully. We met with leaders in trade and finance. Each moment felt intentional and opened my eyes to what the future could look like.

A Full-Circle Reminder

In the middle of all this, something unexpected happened. A client of ours, unable to travel onward to India due to a visa issue, was stranded in Dubai. We ended up meeting there, halfway across the world.

It felt like a wink from the universe. A reminder that when you stay open, connection keeps finding you.

You don’t need to solve geopolitics to create peace.

Peace begins when we stop assuming harm and start choosing curiosity. When we listen instead of label. When we connect instead of retreat. When we decide to stop passing down fear and start modeling trust.

This trip reminded me that cycles can be broken. Narratives can change. And each of us has more power than we think.

The question is simple: where can you build a bridge?

Because peace, like leadership, always starts with an open mind and one courageous connection.

The post Choosing Coexistence: Reflections From Dubai first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

When I discovered Dr. David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness, it gave me a powerful new lens for understanding those states of mind and, most importantly, shifting them. Dr. Hawkin is a psychiatrist and spiritual teacher who created this framework for understanding levels of human awareness.

The Map charts levels of awareness on a scale from 1 (Shame) to 1000 (Enlightenment). Each level carries a distinct energy, from draining states like fear and apathy to expansive states like love, joy, and peace. And here’s the key: our level of consciousness doesn’t just affect us—it profoundly impacts everyone around us.

The key threshold is 200, where we shift from life-draining energies (below 200) to life-affirming ones (above 200). Where we leave the victim mentality behind in exchange for self-empowerment. See the chart below for a visual reference.

What This Means for Motherhood

One of the most eye-opening applications of this framework has been in my role as a mother. Here’s what I’ve learned using this framework:

• Our state shapes our children’s state. If I’m operating from guilt (30) or despair (50), that energy spills into my home, creating an environment of stress or insecurity. But when I ground myself in acceptance (350) or love (500), my children feel safe, seen, and nurtured. That calm presence becomes the foundation for their own confidence and emotional regulation.
  
• From control to empowerment. At lower levels, it’s easy to parent from a place of control, dictating every move out of fear of what might go wrong. But as we rise into reason (400) and love (500), parenting shifts. It becomes less about control and more about guidance—allowing children to explore, make mistakes, and grow into resilient and independent individuals.
  

What This Means for Entrepreneurship

The Map also speaks powerfully to the journey of entrepreneurship.

• Success begins with our inner state. If I’m stuck in fear (100) or pride (175), I can’t take the bold steps building a business requires. The breakthroughs happen at courage (200), the first level of empowerment. From there, we’re able to face challenges, take risks, and create momentum. This allows us to propel our businesses and careers forward.
• Integrity and purpose fuel sustainable success. At the higher levels—love (500), joy (540), and enlightenment (700-1000), our businesses align with service and purpose. When we build with integrity and a focus on impact, opportunities naturally flow. Businesses driven by greed or fear may find short-term wins, but they rarely sustain in the long run. When you do what you love and operate from a place of empowerment, things tend to fall in place naturally.

A Tool for Compassion and Growth

At first glance, motherhood and entrepreneurship might seem like two separate worlds. But any “momtrepreneur” knows these two roles have a great deal of overlap. The Map of Consciousness reveals a unifying truth: our internal state dictates our external reality.

• A mother who leads from acceptance and love brings the same energy into her business, handling setbacks with resilience and clarity.
  
• An entrepreneur who learns to lead with courage, integrity, and compassion finds that those same states transform her family life.

Both roles require compassion, resilience, and long-term vision. And in both, moving up the map—even by one level—can change everything.

The Practice of Shifting Up

Once I started using this map as a tool, everything shifted. I stopped judging myself so harshly when I felt stuck. Instead, I began to observe my state with curiosity instead of criticism. And that gave me the power to change my mindset.

When I notice myself operating from desire or fear, I don’t force myself into love or joy. That leap may be too big. But I could move up to courage or optimism. Taking one step up the pyramid can be enough to change your energy, your choices, and your reality.

Here’s how I use the Map of Consciousness in everyday life:

✨ When I feel triggered, I pause and ask: What level am I in right now?
✨ When I make a decision, I check in: Am I acting from fear or from trust?
✨ When leading or parenting, I aim to embody willingness, acceptance, or love. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just intentional.

I also use the Map of Consciousness to decide who I want to surround myself with. I’ve become more attuned to the energy others carry, and I intentionally choose to spend time with people who are vibrating at a higher frequency—those who bring lightness, authenticity, and clarity into the spaces they enter.

The beauty of the Map is that it’s not about perfection or leaping from fear to joy in one step. It’s about small, steady shifts upward. And those shifts ripple outward to our children, our employees, and our communities.

If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend reading Dr. Hawkins’ book, The Map of Consciousness Explained: A Proven Energy Scale to Actualize Your Ultimate Potential.

The post Navigating Life Through the Map of Consciousness first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

It wasn’t out of frustration with the algorithm or a lack of content to share. It was something deeper. I started to notice that my time on the platform was beginning to feel… empty. Behind the glossy highlight reels and polished moments, something essential was missing: real connection. 

Social media, in many ways, is the junk food of life. It’s designed to be addictive, easy to consume, and temporarily satisfying—but it doesn’t nourish us. What truly nourishes us is face-to-face connection. It’s the healthy meal of life—getting involved in your local community, showing up for friends, or simply having a meaningful conversation over coffee. 

What I’ve come to realize is that longevity and health aren’t just about what you eat or how often you exercise—they’re about connectedness. Have you heard about Blue Zones, geographical areas where people live longer and healthier lives? One of the common denominators is living in faith-based communities that value social connection. 

It’s about having a handful of people you can call at 2am, people who really know you, not just the version of you they see online. That’s true wealth. And it’s something I would never sacrifice for likes, views, or story replies. 

Another reason I stopped posting is something I think many of us have felt lately: Instagram started to feel superficial—especially in contrast to what’s happening in the world. The tone, the filters, the trends… it all started to feel disconnected from what really matters. When I took a step back, I began focusing more on my in-person relationships and showing up for the people in my life in a more authentic way. 

The less time I spent on Instagram, the more I noticed how social media can create the illusion of closeness while actually breeding distance. Friends don’t call to check in anymore because they think they’ve already “caught up” by watching your stories. But that’s not connection—it’s consumption. And connection requires more than a scroll and a double-tap. 

So Why Do I Still Post on LinkedIn? 

You might still see me active on LinkedIn—and there’s a reason for that. 

As a business owner, thought leader, and mentor, LinkedIn gives me a space to talk about the things that matter most to me: leadership, entrepreneurship, and evolving technology. The conversations there feel more intentional, more grounded, and more aligned with the work I do and the kind of legacy I want to leave. It’s less about the perfect photo and more about what I have to say. 

It’s not about visibility for the sake of visibility—it’s about using my voice to contribute to bigger conversations and connect with like-minded people who are also building something meaningful. Having a public presence on LinkedIn is also a necessity when you’re an entrepreneur who wants to grow their business. 

I’m not saying Instagram is all bad. There are moments of joy and creativity on the platform, and I may pop in from time to time. But for now, I’m choosing real-world connection, presence, and purpose over presenting the perfect life online. I’m choosing depth over dopamine. 

If you’ve felt this shift too, you’re not alone. Maybe it’s time we all asked ourselves: Are we nourishing our souls—or just snacking? Let’s make space for what matters. 

The post Why I Took a Step Back from Instagram first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

Research supports the validity of using personality tests in the workplace: this 2018 study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that personality assessments are a reliable tool in predicting job performance. Personality testing companies have accumulated data from hundreds of thousands of people throughout the years, allowing them to become effective tools for improving hiring decisions, team dynamics, and overall employee performance. 

Personality assessments such as Culture Index, Predictive Index, CliftonStrengths, TTI Success Insights, Kolbe and Enneagram are powerful tools that can unlock the full potential of your team.  While taking these personality assessments can be a fun exercise, they can also be used to optimize your hiring process and workplace dynamics. When used effectively, personality tests transform your company’s culture, enhance communication, and align your team’s strengths with business goals. 

Finding the perfect fit for an open role these days is like finding a unicorn because you must find the right combination of personality, experience, and attitude. It’s not just about finding the right skills; it’s about finding the right fit. Here’s how to effectively integrate personality assessments into your hiring strategy. 

Culture Index

Using tools like Culture Index in hiring decisions is a game-changer for understanding candidates beyond their resume. This assessment helps gauge traits such as autonomy, social skills, stress tolerance, and follow-through—essential insights for knowing how well someone will integrate into your company’s culture. It also reveals their level of ingenuity, energy, logical thinking, and how much drama they might bring to the workplace. In essence, it can be a valuable tool for identifying candidates with the right personality for any given role.  

CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder)

CliftonStrengths, formerly known as Strengths Finder, by Gallup is a fantastic tool for better understanding where there might be gaps in your existing team. Hiring a coach to facilitate this process can help maximize actionable insights. CliftonStrengths identifies 34 themes based on “talents” including executing, influencing, strategic thinking and relationship building. It then provides the test-taker with a report on their top 5 strengths. 

By identifying each individual’s strengths and weaknesses, you can better assess the balance of skills within the broader team. Understanding strengths is also valuable for making strategic future hires, ensuring that new team members complement existing deficiencies. Hiring too many people with the same strengths creates an imbalance—diversity in skills is key to a well-rounded, high-performing team. 

TTI Success Insights

TTI Success Insights is another great exercise for your existing team. TTI’s comprehensive DiSC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness Conscientiousness) assessment goes beyond the basics, providing 13 pages of insights into communication triggers and how to interact with different personality types. It’s particularly effective for improving coworker relationships, especially in teams that are struggling to get along. TTI’s “Wheel of Strengths and Weaknesses” helps identify where individuals excel and struggle, making it easier to coach your team and enhance collaboration. By better understanding these dynamics, you can foster a more cohesive and productive workplace environment, ensuring that employees connect and work together more effectively. 

Kolbe

Kolbe is a fantastic assessment when making key leadership hires. It reveals your “quick start” level, meaning how quickly someone initiates tasks, their fact-finding abilities, and their problem-solving approach. The Kolbe assessment is also a valuable tool for entrepreneurs looking to identify their own natural strengths and how they instinctively take action. In some ways, Kolbe overlaps with other tools like Culture Index by helping determine how a person organizes projects or gathers information. 

Enneagram

The Enneagram’s nine personality types provide insight into core motivations, making it a useful tool for relationship-building within teams. It’s great for developing self-awareness and a better understanding of how to “click” with different personalities, fostering stronger connections among employees.  I enjoy comparing enneagrams with friends, and it can also be a fun team-building exercise. By being aware of each other’s Enneagram types, you can better navigate relationships in the work environments, creating stronger, more harmonious connections.  If you feel Enneagram is too personal for the workplace, I’d recommend the PRINT survey to better understand your employees’ motivations. 

When using personality assessments, it’s crucial to remember that they’re just one component of a comprehensive hiring process. While candidates may sometimes provide the answers they think you want to hear, these surveys still offer valuable insights when used correctly. Personality assessments can reveal deeper motivations, strengths and behaviors, helping you make more informed decisions about new hires and existing team dynamics alike. I believe they are a worthy investment for any CEO looking to build a high-performing team. 

The post How to Leverage Personality Tests in Your Company first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media, podcasts have emerged as a powerful and popular medium for sharing ideas, stories, and expertise. If you find yourself contemplating whether to embark on the podcasting journey, you’re not alone. The decision to start a podcast is a significant one, and various factors should be considered before starting.  

The Power of Voice  

Podcasting offers a unique platform to communicate directly with your audience through the power of voice. Unlike written content, podcasts allow your personality to shine, creating a more intimate connection with your listeners. Whether you’re an expert in a specific field or a storyteller at heart, a podcast provides a dynamic outlet for your message.  

Niche Appeal  

One of the strengths of podcasting lies in its ability to cater to niche audiences. Regardless of how specialized your interests or expertise are, there’s likely an audience out there eager to tune in. For example, my Leaders In Medical Billing podcast – if you’re not in the medical billing space, you are not listening to that one.  Podcasts enable you to reach and engage with a community that shares your passions, fostering a sense of connection that can be challenging to achieve through other mediums.  

Accessibility and Convenience  

In an era where multitasking is the norm, podcasts thrive on their accessibility and convenience. Listeners can tune in while commuting, exercising, or doing household chores. By offering content that fits seamlessly into people’s daily routines, you can capture and retain the attention of a diverse audience.  

Establishing Authority  

Podcasting provides a powerful platform to position yourself as an authority in your field. Consistent and well-researched content can showcase your expertise, attracting not only listeners but potential collaborators, clients, or industry peers. It’s a chance to amplify your voice and contribute meaningfully to conversations within your niche.  

Challenges to Consider  

While the allure of podcasting is undeniable, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges. Creating high-quality content consistently demands time and effort. Technical aspects, such as recording and editing, may pose a learning curve for beginners. Additionally, building and sustaining an audience requires dedication and strategic promotion. I wouldn’t start a podcast without having the key tools and people in place to do the editing, graphics, show notes and uploading the episode onto various podcasting platforms. 

The Verdict  

So, should you start a podcast? The answer depends on your goals, interests, and commitment. If you have a passion to share, a message to convey, or a desire to connect with like-minded individuals, podcasting can be a rewarding endeavor. However, it is crucial to approach it with realistic expectations, understanding the investment of time and energy involved.  

In conclusion, a podcast can be a potent tool for self-expression, community building, and professional growth. Evaluate your motivations, assess your resources, and if the prospect excites you, take the plunge into the world of podcasting – where your voice has the potential to resonate and you can become a thought leader in your industry. 

The post Should I Start a Podcast? first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

But did you know that expressing your creative side can not only help you discover what you truly want, but also improve your mental well-being and enhance your work performance? As Julia Cameron, author of The Artist Way, suggests, artists who don’t have a way to express their creativity can end up feeling resentful. That’s why I highly recommend taking up a hobby that brings you joy outside of work.

For example, I found that taking weekly painting classes has been the perfect outlet for my artistic creativity. Every week, I walk into class with a blank canvas and within a few hours, my vision turns into reality. Over the years, I’ve built up a full collection of paintings, and I can see how I’ve improved over time. Not only has it been an enjoyable and fulfilling experience, but it has also opened my mind to other joys and perspectives.

As entrepreneurs, we tend to live and breathe business, but when we take a break from the grind and let our creative side take over, it gives us time to reflect and view the world from a different perspective. This can also be beneficial for our mental health and well-being. By finding a hobby that you truly enjoy, you can open yourself up to other joys and reduce the risk of burnout.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took my art class virtually and looked forward to it each week. Now that in-person classes are an option, I prefer to be surrounded by other creative people in a physical setting. There is an energy and creativity that happens when we are around others who share our passions.

By taking up a hobby outside of work, you can not only enhance your mental and emotional well-being, but also bring new creative energy to your business. So why not find a hobby that brings you joy and helps you express your creativity? It may just be the key to unlocking your full potential as an entrepreneur.

If you have any hobbies you enjoy outside of work, please share them in the comments below 👇🏼

The post Fueling Your Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Benefits of Pursuing Creative Hobbies first appeared on Chanie Gluck.

Making it to the list gave us the global exposure we were looking for and something important to celebrate with our team.  I decided to make a special trip to India and celebrate this milestone in person with all the people that made this possible. 

The look on their faces was so much more than I imagined. It was even better than making it to the Inc 5000 – I saw the gleam of pride and a sense of accomplishment in their eyes.

Every employee got a special gift, and we ate cake, laughed, danced, and talked about new goals we want to achieve. We encouraged and supported each other.

Then I boarded another 26 hour flight home.

Was it worth it? 100%.

I feel blessed to lead our team of excellent humans and this award truly belongs to them!

Attending the Inc 5,000 Conference and Gala in October 2022 was one of those moments in my entrepreneurial journey that signifies a turning point in my career. A point where I finally feel that I’ve made it to the big league.

In most professions, you go from being an amateur to an experienced executive. Entrepreneurial life is different. 

When do we graduate to being professional? For some it’s hitting revenue targets, profitability targets, building a solid team or hitting a big goal. Those are all great metrics. Yet being a part of Inc 5000 – a group of the fastest-growing companies in the USA is truly inspirational.

Thank you Inc. Magazine for creating this community where we can continue to inspire each other and change the world for the better!

The post Inc 5000 first appeared on Chanie Gluck.