Q: You’ve worked with a wide variety of industries. Do you have a soft spot for one, or is there a field that gives you particular pleasure?
CL: I do — health care. It’s something that touches every person, and the stakes are incredibly high. When I work with leaders in health care, there’s a real sense of purpose and often a deep personal connection to the work. What excites me is the opportunity for technology to help deliver better outcomes more equitably and to improve not just treatment, but overall wellness and quality of life. That potential to make a meaningful impact is why I gravitate toward this space again and again.

Q: Your recent newsletter speaks to “starting with the end in mind,” an interview technique to establish career development expectations. Have you found that more companies are utilizing this approach?
CL: Yes, and I’m encouraged by the shift. More organizations are moving beyond traditional job interviews and taking a “whole career” approach. They’re asking, “How does this role fit into your long-term goals?” That kind of clarity benefits both sides — candidates feel seen and valued, and organizations build stronger, more engaged teams. It’s a small change in how interviews are conducted, but it reflects a much bigger change in how we think about talent and leadership development.

Q; Would you expand on “skipping the third shift,” which speaks to the work/life balance?
CL: The third shift is that invisible work — usually late at night — where we feel pressure to do just one more thing: answer emails, prep for the next day, or simply worry that we didn’t do enough. It’s especially common among women, who often carry the emotional labor of caregiving or team cohesion on top of their formal jobs. I first heard the term years ago, and it helped me release a lot of guilt. Balance isn’t about perfection — it’s about prioritization and compassion. Some days will be wildly off-kilter. That’s okay. What matters is giving yourself the grace to say, “This is enough for today.”

To read more of our exclusive interview with Charlene Li, click here.