The Ramsey Show - App - Thoughts on the College Bribery Scandal (Hour 2)

Episode Date: March 14, 2019

The show about you

Live from the headquarters of Ramsey Solutions and broadcasting from the Dollar Car Rental Studio, this is the Dave Ramsey Show. It's where America hangs out to have a conversation about life and money. Sitting in for Dave Ramsey this hour, I am Ken Coleman, one of the Ramsey personalities, host of the Ken Coleman Show on SiriusXM. It leads into Dave Ramsey on our Ramsey Network over there on Sirius XM. Frequent guest on the program and guest host, so it's always good to sit in for Dave Ramsey. This is a career hour.

So on this hour, we're going to talk about what we talk about on the Ken Coleman Show, and that is what you were created to do. What we believe is that every person was created to fill a unique role. That means it's needed, and that means you must do it. And we help people get that clarity so that they can confidently step out on the path

to fulfilling their purpose and courageously stay on course because life is going to throw curveballs. There's going to be detours, ditches, wrecks, all kinds of things. But you still are supposed to do what you were created to do. So that's what we're here for this hour. We're going to take your questions about your career. If you're feeling stuck, if you are confused, if you're just plain old afraid.

How about these stations? We talk a lot about this on the Ken Coleman Show, and that is starting. So if you're starting out, could be coming up on graduation. If you are feeling stuck, like life has passed you by, you've missed your ship, if you will. Or if you are in the process, even if it's mentally, preparing for a career switch, a change. It's not too late. We talk about the proximity principle all the time, which says in order to do what you want to do, you've got to be around people who are doing it and in places where it is happening. That's the principle.

The idea being when you're around the right people and in the right places, the right people plus the right places equal opportunity. We've got a new book coming out entitled that very thing, The Proximity Principle. Just launched pre-sale last week here on The Dave Ramsey Show. It's the proven strategy that will lead to the career you love. Every successful person I've ever known has used this principle. And we unpack it for you. Five people and five places, four practices. The people that you need to be around. We tell you where to look for them. I'm going to walk you right to them. What are you doing around them?

How do you maximize opportunity by being around them? The five places you need to get in. I'm going to walk you right to them. What do you do when you get in those places? And then the practices where we unpack all the things that you need to be doing. And this is a practice that becomes habitual

no matter where you are in your career. Great, great gift for graduates. Great for the person who's stuck. Great for the person who's switching. It will get you opportunity to get where you want to go. So go to KenColeman.com or DaveRamsey.com. You can get it right now, $19.99.

You're going to get $20 in free bonus items, including the Proximity Principle e-book and a talk I did at one of our SMART conferences where I taught 6,000 people in Dallas, Texas, how do you discover what you were created to do? So you can get all of that right now. It comes out May 13th, but you can get it today, $19.99 at KenColeman.com or DaveRamsey.com,

The Proximity Principle. All right, let's get to it. 888-825-5225. That is the number to jump in. 888-825-5225. I know somebody out there right now, their chest is feeling heavy. The heart is racing. You know you're not doing what you're created to do. Today may be your day. 888-825-5225. We'll start off with Catherine, who's on the line in Louisville, Kentucky. Catherine, how can I help?

Hi, how are you doing today? Well, I'm living the dream. How are you? I'm good. So I'm stuck in between the research and embark stage. I know what I want to do, but it's really expensive and I'm not sure where to go to get funding for it because I know I'm not going to be able to afford this on my own. I want to open an event business that specializes in themed events, like proms or themed weddings, things like that. Okay, awesome. Now, what do you need to make? What would be that salary, however you get it, whether it be commission salary, what's that number you have in your mind that you would say, Ken, if I made this in this business, I would be really thrilled. What's that number? Maybe between $60,000 and $80,000.

Okay, great. $60,000 to $80,000. Now, what do you make right now in your current job? Right now, I'm a photographer. I only make like $31,000. Okay, great. All right. Now, when you gave me that $60,000 to $80,000, that's the ideal. So what we to know is if if i could transport you to a role

in the event planning business event creation business and you are making 31 would you drop photography and take that instantly yes okay so that's the path because you have already identified that you feel like you don't have the means, the financial means, to launch a business at this stage right now. But eventually you think you could, correct? Right. How much do you think that is going to take? How much money, if you saved up, would be the amount of money that you believe, based on your research, you would need to launch your own business?

To do it the way I want to do it, I would need somewhere between one and two million dollars, depending on how big a venue I make. Okay, so you want... I can cut it down smaller and stay closer to one, but what I really want to do would probably be closer to two. That's great. I love the idea. Now, does this involve a venue, like having your own venue, and everybody comes to you? Yes, that's what I want to do is the venue itself. Aha, so you don't actually want to do the actual event and party planning. You just want to be essentially the promoter in the sense of you have the building and people rent your building out and use it for events.

Right. Aha. Like no catering, just the decorations and tables and the building itself. But do you like the actual decorating and all that kind of stuff? Is there a desire to do some of that early on? Yes. I want to have my own decorations and be able to rent them out as well as the space. Okay.

So here's what I think you need to do. You said you were stuck between the research and embark stage, and I like that because you know the five stages, discovery, research, embarking, achieving, and then we step into meaning. These are the five stages to realizing the dream, doing the work you're created to do. So I think you have to actually step into embark by getting in proximity. I was just talking about my new book. And so the proximity principle is going to help you, Catherine, get around people that are in event planning in your area, Louisville, Kentucky. So who's doing on some level work that you admire in the space you want to be

in eventually? So we know that Mount Everest is over here. You've identified it. You're way ahead of most people. They don't even know where they want to be. You know where you want to be. So the climb for you is getting in proximity right now to some people in Louisville, Kentucky, where you sit down with them and go, hey, I eventually want to do this. I'm a photographer now. And I want to sit down, buy your coffee, buy your lunch, and learn how you grew your business. Where do you get most of your business from? You start asking all these detailed questions, which you know how to do. And when they give you those answers, you now have the beginning stages of a plan.

And now you start walking it out. I'd also like for you to consider dropping photography or making it a side hustle and maybe go work for a very successful event company or event venue, now you're in the industry you want to be in. You're learning, you're doing, and connecting. That's what proximity does. Helps you learn, do, and connect. 888-825-5225 is the number. Don't go anywhere. This is the Career Hour on The Dave Ramsey Show.

Don't move. The last thing I want you to feel is buyer's remorse, especially when you offered thousands more on a new home to win a bidding war. If I've taught you anything, it's that blindly throwing money at a problem is a stupid plan and something you'll regret for years. The key to avoiding this rookie mistake is to call Churchill Mortgage and get certified. This easy program puts you miles ahead of your competition because you are pre-underwritten. Your interest rate is secured, and yes, you can close within 14 days. Don't fall into the trap of offering more money just to compensate for a poor

plan. Call Churchill Mortgage today and get certified. Call 888-LOAN-200 or visit churchillmortgage.com. This is a paid advertisement. NMLS ID 1591. NMLSconsumeraccess.org. Equal housing lender. 761 Old Hickory Boulevard, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027. Welcome back, America. It is a career theme hour here on The Dave Ramsey Show.

I'm Ken Coleman, Ramsey personality and host of The Ken Coleman Show on SiriusXM. It leads into The Dave Ramsey Show as a part of our Ramsey Network at SiriusXM. We also podcast each daily show. So however you listen to podcasts, you can listen and subscribe. We're helping people discover what it is they were created to do. And then once they have that clarity, how do you make that dream job no longer a myth but a reality? It is possible. We break it down very simply.

Everybody has talents. Every person born was created, and they have things that they are naturally good at. Those talents or strengths can be developed into skills. So that's what you're good at. Then every person has passion, something that makes your heart come alive. It just feels like time disappears when you're engaged in it. This is passion, what you love to do most. So the sweet spot is where you can do work by using what you do best

to do what you love to do most. It's very simple. And those results are going to create terrific meaning and significance. And that is what we all long for. So we're taking your calls. You're stuck, scared, confused, feel like there is no hope? I promise you there is. You have the answers. I don't, but I feel confident we can get them out of you. 888-825-5225. 888-825-5225.

We're going to go to Jamil, who's on the line in Chicago, Illinois. Jamil, how can I help? Hi, Ken. Thanks for having me on the show. Sure. Sure. How do I use the dream stages to climb new mountains in my career? Well, you have to first know exactly what it is you were created to do. That's that function role. And then you identify all the different ways that you can do it. So where are you in our dream stage? Are you in discovery? Are you in research? Where do you stand? Sure.

I recently discovered your dream stage program, and I'm a big fan. I found some work that I enjoy, and it uses my skills and talents. I guess I haven't really gone through the stages, but I would say I'm at the fifth stage, really, meaning. I found some work that, you know, I see the meaning in it, and it seems like I can go through the talents and skills. Well, wait a second. This is good. So you found work that has terrific meaning for you. What is this work? Sure. So it's basically business process reengineering and process improvement in business. Okay. And are you doing this for a full-time role?

Correct. You are. Okay. And what kind of money do you make? Making $65,000 a year. Okay, good. So you, sir, are really ahead of most people. You're doing work you love. You're making some good money at it. I think your question for me is how do I move up the ladder. Is that what I'm hearing? That's correct. So I think, like I said, I recently discovered your Dream Stage program,

and I think that naturally I just went through the process without really having your program in place. I just wanted to see how I could best utilize it to, you know. Well, I'm going to tell you how to move up the ladder, but the question is what is at the top of the ladder? Can you identify what would be truly the dream job? What's that Mount Everest? We know you're in the right space and you're doing work you love,

but you want to keep growing, so what does that look like? Well, that looks like an ERP software company for small manufacturing businesses. And I'm about three years in with one customer. I know that that's the future. I've thought long and hard about it. I just wanted to see, in the meantime, you know, getting some more experience, you know, in my career before I go ahead and do that full time. How best do I, I guess, refine my skills and my career using those stages? Yeah, very simple.

You have to ask some basic questions. And basically you have to repeat the five stages, so you need to do more research. And the questions in the research stage are, okay, who's doing what I eventually want to do? Like, who are those people? So we're talking about people you could sit down with, maybe connect with, people that you could study online, maybe they've written books. I mean, is there a more of a celebrity person who's doing it? You know, who are the industry leaders? So these are people. And then we look at places. So what are the companies in your area? You're in Chicago, Illinois.

This is a massive, massive market. So what companies are doing that work? In other words, what companies are hiring people that are doing what you eventually want to do? And so when you determine those answers, so you get the answers that now it's about getting into proximity. So I'm going to go talk to those people. I'm going to sit down with them, and I'm going to learn about their path. How long did it take them? What particular path did they take?

What steps have I not considered? What else do I need to learn? Now we start getting into some really good questions. Okay, if I need more certification or more education, now I have to say, okay, well, how much does that cost financially? Now, based on your budget, your financial reality, how long is that going to take you? These are super practical questions. You're a smart guy, and you're asking me the right questions, but those are the questions you need to ask and get answers to because then you see, okay, this is the path, and I think you're doing all the right things so far. You're in a great position to accelerate and move up the ladder. Now, one final piece of advice while you're getting that research. In the current position you're in, because you're at least in the field, and you can see a path, and you've sure that you are clear on your role,

so you know your role, and that you accept it. This is my station right now. It's not where I want to stay. It's not where I want to end up. But right now, it's a great opportunity to grow and build from. And so, finally, after you've accepted, that's an attitude issue, and now we want to maximize it. You want to go above and beyond.

You want your leaders coming. You go, man, you're killing it. I'm going to put you over here. Where would you like to go? And you say, well, and now we want to maximize it. You want to go above and beyond. You want your leaders coming. You go, man, you're killing it. I'm going to put you over here. Where would you like to go? And you say, well, I'd like to go over here. And see, opportunity presents itself to people who know the role, accept the role, and maximize the role. That's what you need to do. And then the steps on the ladder, because you know the path and you're going to act that way, then those opportunities are going to present themselves to you.

Let's go to Nick, who's on the line of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Nick, how can I help? How are you today, Ken? I am living the dream, sir. How are you? Too blessed to be stressed, partner. I like that. I might steal that one.

How can I help today? So my question is, I'm currently working in the job that allows me to compete in sports while pursuing my passion, and it gives me a source of income as well. The question is, over the past year and a half, it's became kind of a very toxic environment with no roles or responsibilities and very little leadership. And I'm at the point where it's worth the sacrifice for me to be able to keep competing, to stay with the company. At one time, I thought this would be a forever job because it's in my niche and kind of in my sweet spot of things because it's tied in with the industry that I compete in.

But the more and more I've been working here, the more and more I'm wondering if it's not as good a fit for me. So my question is, do I stick with the company until I'm done pursuing my passion? And then how do I set myself up to be in a successful spot a few years from now that I'm not scratching my head wondering what could I have been doing to be in a better position? Well, it's not like you're going to be done with your passion in a year from now. So what is the end result? Make sure I understand this quickly. Where are you wanting to end up? Within my passion or within my job? No, no, no, no.

Right now you're in a toxic environment. You're going, should I stay here, Ken, until I've kind of exercised my passion, or do I move on to something else? And I'm trying to figure out what's the end-all result for you. What's Mount Everest in your career? What's the work you truly want to be doing? Well, being given this job, I've had the opportunity. It's a small business.

I've been able to help it grow and become something quite bigger, and so I've really enjoyed that. So I guess the end result for me in the future when I'm done competing is I'd like to own a business of my own of some sort and do that route. Perfect. So you're competing plus you have this role. Is that right? You have two roles?

Correct, yes, sir. Okay. The sport I'm in, the company that I work for, we manufacture and sell the products and the gear that the competitors use. Well, so here's my advice. Don't stay in that toxic environment any longer than you absolutely have to. That's a financial position, so what do I need to do? What do I need to plan to move on?

And then move into a different company, same sector. You know the sector you want to be in, and you want to get there so that while you're competing and working in that industry, you're preparing yourself for that eventual future when you own your own business or run your own business. So get out of the toxic environment and get out quickly. Coming up next in this career hour, I'm going to tell you the why behind this college admissions scandal. Don't miss it. This is The Dave Ramsey Show. There's nothing smart about smartphones if your wireless plan is blowing your budget each month.

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and add multiple lines to save more. We're so confident you'll love Pure Talk USA that we invite you to try our service risk-free. Visit puretalkusa.com or call 844-862-3677. Enter promo code SAVEDAVE and receive 50% off your first month. That's puretalkusa.com. Welcome back, America. You're listening to The Dave Ramsey Show, where America hangs out to talk about life and money.

And this hour, we talk about career. Taking your calls about your career. My name is Ken Coleman, a Ramsey personality, host of the Ken Coleman Show on SiriusXM, a part of the Ramsey Network, and author of the new book, The Proximity Principle. It drops May 13. You can learn more about it at KenColeman.com and DaveRamsey.com. It is the proven strategy to help you get where you need to go. I'm going to introduce you to the people you need to know and the places you need to be in.

Super practical, and it can help you no matter where you are on your journey. Now, before we went to the break, I teased that I was going to tell you the why, what's really behind this college admission cheating scandal this story has blown up and uh you know it's unfortunate but it's blown up in large part because you've got two fairly well-known hollywood actresses who've kind of become the poster children of this scandal wealthy actors actresses their families and they could afford to bribe officials. Now, if for some reason you missed the story,

I'll give you the 30-second synopsis. One guy creates a business designed to help the wealthy and powerful get their kids into premium colleges and universities. Yale is a big one mentioned in this whole scandal. USC, another. And honestly, I think the onion is just starting to get peeled. I mean, there's going to be a lot of layers of this deal. But here's the deal.

They were paying, whether it be college coaches or athletic directors, to create a fake athletic profile where their kids could get a lower academic standard, thus being able to get in. Paying SAT, ACT administrators to either do the test or allow the kid to cheat or whatever it is. So it was a pay-to-play scandal, and that's what it is. And it's crazy.

People are going to jail. They're getting arrested over this. Now, what does that have to do with you parents out there? I'm going to tell you. Thank you for asking. Because what happens is you see a story like this, you say, oh, there go those rich, powerful people again, throwing their checkbook around,

throwing their power and influence around, and they're just a bunch of jerks. Well, now wait a second. Here's what's really going on. These rich and powerful, famous people are susceptible to the same things that you middle class, upper middle class, even lower middle class, lower class,

I don't care what your status is, but there is a cultural issue in the United States. I don't know when it started, but at some point in America, 50s, 60s, 70s, college goes from being a step for training,

a step into the future. And it became a status symbol. 80s, 90s, now we're in the 2000s, and it is such a status symbol that parents are pushing their kids to go to a college they don't want to go to and getting saddled with debt and they come out with a degree they don't want

and debt they can't afford. You know this is right. And so what's going on is wealthy people have the money to be able to bribe the right people to get their kids into college. While you folks who may not have that money don't have the money or the power or the connections

to bribe somebody, you are unwittingly falling to this cultural pressure that everybody has to go to college. Now, disclaimer, I'm not saying that college is not valuable. It is for a variety of reasons. I could spend 10 minutes talking about all the positives about my college time and how valuable college is from different levels.

However, if you don't need a degree to do what you want to do, college, if you can't afford it, becomes a delay and it becomes honestly a millstone. It's like a heavy rock. And we're saying to our kids, now swim. Here's this rock, this heavy rock of debt. Try to swim. Try to make it happen. And the reason this is happening is because somewhere along the way, it became embarrassing for parents to say, well, Junior isn't going to college. He's going to go to trade school, or he's going to go out and just into the workforce.

He's not fit for college. It's not his thing, and it became this, like, I'm a little embarrassed, and, well, you know, and so, well, if my kid goes to a really great college and a name-brand college, whoa, you know what happens? You go to the barbecue in the summer or the cocktail party on the weekend. Where's junior?

How's junior? Well, junior's at USC. Junior's at an Ivy League school. And what happens is people step back and look at you and go, all right, way to go, mom. Way to go, dad. And we feel good about it. And by the way, these kids are feeling the pressure from you. You're feeling it from culture, and they feel it from you.

And so I'm going to tell you why this whole thing happened. Because college has become more about status than it is about a step forward. Not many people are saying that, but I'm going to say it. And let me tell you one other thing. If you are judging these celebrities and these wealthy people that you see walking into the courthouse handcuffed, you better be careful. Because if you're pushing your kid into a school they can't afford to get a degree they don't want,

to pursue a job they have zero desire for, you are handcuffing their future with a degree they don't want and debt they can't afford. Be very careful. Sit down with Junior and say, Junior, what is it that you really want to do? Let's look at your gifts. Let's look at your passion. How can you use what you do best to do what you love to do most?

And what's going to happen is you'll see the college loan crisis, which, by the way, it's now at $1.5 trillion. That is a crisis. I don't get political ever, but if you want to fight about what's a national emergency, that is a national emergency. And it's unnecessary, and we can stop it. But you parents have got to start by going,

my kid needs to look at the true path forward to the work they were created to do, not just automatically force them to go to college. 888-825-5225 is the number. Let's go to Christina, who's on the line in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Christina, how can I help? Hello, Ken. I'm so excited to be on your show.

Thrilled to talk with you. How can I help? So I know where I would like to go. I am just in the stages of trying to research how to get there. Okay. Where do you want to go? So I really feel silly for calling because my passion is performing arts. Well, first of all, you shouldn't feel silly about that.

So now let's move forward. No more feeling silly. What is it that you would love to do? Name it. So I really enjoy being a part of film projects that are meaningful stories, and it's really hard for me to make it to those auditions. Plus, I'm not really living in a major market. But one of the things that could help my schedule become more flexible is if I could find voiceover work.

I love voiceovers. Well, here's some good news for you, Christina. You can do voiceover work from any city in America. People in Colorado Springs are hiring voiceover artists. And guess what? You can create a national profile and do voiceover work all around the country from your living room i've got a good friend uh who lives here in nashville and he's doing work all over the country from a studio in his attic so there's nothing stopping you from

that step so just name it for me if you could snap your fingers today and get the gig you want in the performing arts, is it working in the movie industry? Is that what it is? It could be that. I love comedy as well. So public speaking and a comedic sense is something I really love. And voiceovers, I work in isolation most of the time in a sales job, and I really, really prefer to be around people. I prefer making people laugh and moving them. Yeah, so you're a performer, aren't you? You're a performer. Yes. Yeah. How old are you, Christina?

I am 51. 51. Now, here's the deal. I want you to hang on the line because we're going to give you a copy of my new book, The Proximity Principle, which is actually going to walk you where you need to go. But the place you need to start is where you are. It's one of the places in the book. Where you are. You can start where you are. Right now at 51, you're going, okay, how do I get there?

Do I have to move to Hollywood or do I have to move to New York? Or another major market? That's what you said, a big market. You don't. You start where you are. It's the first place in this new book, The Proximity Principle of Milwaukee. You can start where you are. I'm going to send you this copy as soon as it comes out May 13th.

But here's what you need to do. Connect with people that are doing voiceover work right now. More performance. Who's doing it in Colorado Springs? Ask them how they got there. Ask them to make connections for you. It will work. Don't move.

More of the Career Hour here on the Dave Ramsey Show coming up right around the corner. One question I get asked all the time is, do I need life insurance? Listen, the whole point of life insurance is to replace your income for someone who counts on you. So if you have a spouse or you have kids, yes, you need term life insurance. It's the only way to protect them until you're out of debt and have built up your wealth. You're only digging a deeper hole if you waste money on cash value plans since it robs you of the ability to make real progress. And that's why I send you to Zander Insurance, and I have for 20 years. Thank you. 356-4282. You need to get this taken care of. I can give you the advice and I can tell you where to go,

but it's really up to you to take that important step to get your family protected. That's Zander.com or 800-356-4282. It is the career-themed hour of The Dave Ramsey Show. I'm Ken Coleman, Ramsey personality and host of The Ken Coleman Show on SiriusXM that leads into Dave Ramsey on the SiriusXM Ramsey Network. The new book that we've been talking about is The Proximity Principle, where I help you understand the power of proximity to the right people and the right places. We'll introduce you to the five people you need to know, the five places you need to be in, and then when you're around those people and in those places, what do you do?

How do you maximize the opportunity? I got to read an email we got to the show. Michael wrote in, I took an entry-level job where I had to talk to everyone who came through my area. I like that. He positioned himself, James, like a gatekeeper. So he's sitting there, and everybody's got to come by this guy. He says, I traded business cards with him, I followed up with him afterwards, and I met them for coffee and lunch, and it worked.

The proximity principle works. You have got to be around the people who are doing what you want to do. Way to go, Michael. We get emails like this all the time and we're really excited about the new book. If you'd like to check it out, DaveRamsey.com, KenColeman.com. The proximity principle is the proven strategy that will lead to the career you love. You can get it for $19.99 now in our pre-order stage. And May 13th, it comes out.

But right now, you get it for $19.99. You're going to get $20 in free bonus items, which include the Proximity Principle e-book and a video teaching lesson from me on how to discover what you were born to do. This is for anybody who is not where they want to be in their career, whether you're starting, switching, or stuck. And so if you check it out, you can actually sample a couple chapters.

Great graduation gift as well. KenColeman.com or DaveRamsey.com. 888-825-5225 is the number, 888-825-5225. Let's go to Amy, who's on the line in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Amy, how can I help? 825-5225 is the number, 888-825-5225. Let's go to Amy, who's on the line in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Amy, how can I help? Hi, Ken. Thank you so much for taking my call.

It's such a privilege to talk to you. Sure. How can I help today? Yeah, so I'm currently working in a pretty toxic work environment, and it's starting to create doubts for myself about my strength and things I've known to be true. So I'm also considering making a career pivot, but I'm wondering if I'd be happy in my current career field if I was working in a healthy environment.

Oh, that is the million-dollar question. Amy, you're all over it. You're absolutely right. That is the question. Because sometimes toxicity can cause confusion. So let's figure that out. So what is the source of the toxicity in your current environment? It's really, I guess morale is pretty low.

What I've been noticing is people's insights and experience are not being valued. So we have a lot of experience that's not being taken into consideration when management is making decisions. And it's just been recently, but it's just starting. I'm starting to doubt some of my leadership skills and my strategy type skills because they're not being taken into consideration. So you feel overlooked. That's the emotion you feel.

Mm-hmm. Correct. And then I'm guessing feel. Mm-hmm. Correct. And then I'm guessing feeling overlooked has led to some frustration. Correct. And now frustration is starting to turn into doubt. It is. Yeah. Amy, you're not the only one that goes through this.

I walked you through those emotions because I wanted the rest of America who's listening in right now to hear how that progression works. That is pretty much the progression of what happens emotionally. And so now you're dealing with doubt. So what is your role? Tell me what your role is and what industry. I'm an engineering professional in a manufacturing industry. Okay. Why'd you get into engineering?

Really, I like solving problems. I like the math, the analytical skills of that. And then really what I do now, I really like the relationship with customers and with my coworkers. I really enjoy spending time with those people. And I like communication. And I didn't want to be at a desk the whole time. I knew that in engineering school I wanted to be out and about, so I chose a manufacturing environment where you're out and seeing large machines work.

Interesting. Did you hear yourself just seconds ago say how much you enjoyed parts of your current role? Mm-hmm. I think you're smiling. I think I hear your smile. Am I right? Yep, I am. So here's what's interesting.

I think this is less about the role, and I think this is about your leader. Am I right? Mm-hmm. Have you talked to your leader about the feelings that you're being overlooked? I have in a roundabout way. I haven't directly gone to that person yet. All right, so now let's be really honest, and this is not to pick on you, but this is to give you clarity.

When you say you've talked about it in a roundabout way, what does that really mean? I talked to our HR director as well as another leader in the organization. And did they do anything? Did they take it to your leader and say, hey, this is what Amy is dealing with? Not at this point, they have not. So nothing's happened? No. Okay, so the reason I asked that is because before we start thinking about do you move out of this place, because I have a lot of callers to my show where I find out for them that they're doing the right thing but in the wrong place. I'm not sure you're in the wrong, I'm not sure I'm able to say that right now

because there are parts of your current job you really enjoy. I think this is a, unless I'm missing something, correct me, by the way, that this is an emotional issue. You're feeling joy, excitement, satisfaction, significance in several areas of the job. There's just one area where it seems like there's some emotional distress because this leader you think is overlooking you and not taking into consideration your talent or your opinion.

Am I right? Correct. And not just me. It's other members of the team as well. Okay. So, okay. All right. Now, have any of these other members of the team talked to this leader directly? Directly, no. Okay. So here's what you have to do first, Amy. You know it's possible for leaders to have blind spots, right? Mm-hmm. It could be that your leader's a good person and could be a great leader, and they may

be, they are a good leader, but in this particular area, they've got a blind spot, and it's possible that this leader doesn't even know how you feel. Yes or no? That is possible. Okay. So I want you to approach your leader, and I want you to do it with a posture of honor and a posture of an interrogatory, not going with declarative statements. You made me feel this way. You're not doing this. You're not doing that. I want you to go in and ask questions, but I want you to start with saying,

hey, I'm feeling this way, and I don't know if it's just me or if you see it the way I see it. Do you feel like I'm contributing? Come at it in a way that does not put that leader on the defensive, but express how you feel and say, what do you think about that? And then I'm feeling like I'm not getting this opportunity.

Do you sense that? Is your confidence high in me? Do you trust me in this area? Ask them questions like that to see where they really stand. And here's what's going to happen. When you do it in a way, you go, hey, listen, I just want to get this clear because I love my role. By the way, start off the conversation that way.

Tell them how much you love the role and the work, the team, the customers, all that kind of stuff. Because what's going to happen is they're not going to get defensive. And hopefully you get them in a really, really honest and transparent situation where maybe they go, oh, I had no idea you feel this way. Now that's good. But we also want to hear them say, I'm sorry you feel this way. Let's do this to try to address this, because that would be huge for you, would it not? Yes, it would. Okay.

So this is a one-on-one. This isn't go talk to your other team members who feel the same thing, because that could turn into gossip. This is one-on-one private, because when you show respect privately, leaders will give you influence publicly. So don't make this a big thing. Make this one-on-one, Amy. Now, if you present this the way I told you, and the leader gives you lip service, which means they don't actually make any changes, and you still feel the way you feel, then I think you're in the wrong place. But I don't think this is a pivot and a career change. I think it's just you want to be in a healthy environment where you feel appreciated and you have the opportunity to grow because that's what you're feeling.

You're feeling like there's no ladder. Correct. All right. So, Amy, I've given you the steps. You can do this. Remember, a posture of respect and honor, honesty, questions, and get to the heart of this thing. And give the leader a chance to fix it. So many people make bad career moves because they're afraid to have a healthy confrontation.

And the solution to your situation to start is a healthy confrontation. Now, if they don't do anything, it's time to move on. But the good news is, you know what you were created to do. This has been the Career Hour on The Dave Ramsey Show. I'm Ken Coleman, host of The Ken Coleman Show, Ramsey Personality. So thrilled to do this. I want to thank Dave for the opportunity. Our producer, James Childs.

Our associate producer, Kelly Daniel. And most of all, you, America. Thank you so much for listening. This is The Dave Ramsey Show. This is James Childs, producer of The Dave Ramsey Show. Did you know you can now listen to The Dave Ramsey Show on Pandora and Spotify? For all the ways to watch and listen, check out our show page at DaveRamsey.com slash show.