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Dan Smolen

@dansmolen.com
301 followers 445 following 476 posts

Former ad agency executive, headhunter, and owner of a recruitment firm. Now Executive Producer and Host of the What’s Your Work Fit? live show on LinkedIn and YouTube; Founding Member of the Future of Work Alliance.

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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 05/10/2026
How Can We Make Work Work? As engagement falls and AI transforms the workplace, future of work expert and author Deborah Lovich argues that making work better starts with what leaders do every day. dansmolen.substack.com/p/how-can-we...
dansmolen.substack.com
How Can We Make Work Work?
As engagement falls and AI transforms the workplace, Deborah Lovich argues that making work better starts with what leaders do every day.
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 03/10/2026
If AI does the knowledge work, why am I still responsible for it? Agentic AI promises to take work off our plates. But what if it simply turns all of us into managers? Our latest on Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/if-ai-does...
dansmolen.substack.com
If AI Does the Work, Why Am I Still Responsible for It?
Agentic AI promises to take work off our plates. But what if it simply turns all of us into managers?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 02/10/2026
The Career Ladder doesn't make sense anymore. The future of work may be less about climbing—and more about discovering where you belong. On What's Your Work Fit? Sarabeth Berk Bickerton PhD describes a new metaphor for career progression. dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-career...
dansmolen.substack.com
The Career Ladder Doesn't Make Sense Anymore
The future of work may be less about climbing—and more about discovering where you belong
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 01/10/2026
You Are Not Your Job Title. Sarabeth Berk Bickerton explains why who you are in your work goes far beyond what an employer calls you. LINK: dansmolen.substack.com/p/you-are-no...
dansmolen.substack.com
You Are Not Your Job Title
Sarabeth Berk Bickerton explains why who you are in your work goes far beyond what an employer calls you
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 24/09/2026
Perfectionism May Be Keeping You From Doing Your Best at Work. Charles Glassman MD returns to What's Your Work Fit? to describe how perfectionism undermines our success at work. LINK: dansmolen.substack.com/p/perfection...
dansmolen.substack.com
Perfectionism May Be Keeping You From Doing Your Best
Being the best is largely outside our control. Doing our best is always possible.
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 18/09/2026
AI Doesn’t Need an Office. The Humans Using It Do. As AI takes on more of our work, the reason for bringing humans together may become clearer—not less important.
dansmolen.substack.com
AI Doesn’t Need an Office. The Humans Using It Do.
As AI takes on more of our work, the reason for bringing humans together may become clearer—not less important.
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 17/09/2026
Return to Office? Or Reattach to Office? The workplace challenge isn’t getting people back into the building. It’s giving them a reason to feel connected to it again. dansmolen.substack.com/p/reattachme...
dansmolen.substack.com
Reattachment to Office Starts With Giving People a Reason to Be There
The workplace challenge isn’t getting people back into the building. It’s giving them a reason to feel connected to it again.
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 10/09/2026
My High Holidays Prayer: May We Remain Human. dansmolen.substack.com/p/my-high-ho...
dansmolen.substack.com
My High Holidays Prayer: May We Remain Human
Twenty-five years after 9/11, I’m reflecting on remembrance, our humanity, and what we must never surrender to AI.
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 25/08/2026
Finding Your Work Fit Is Better When You Don’t Do It Alone. Join the What's Your Work Fit? community to help make it all happen. LINK: dansmolen.substack.com/p/finding-yo...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 20/08/2026
The End of the Org Chart? What Human Capacity Is Worth in an Agentic World. If AI makes execution abundant, the scarce human capabilities may become judgment, wisdom, prioritization—and the ability to decide what is worth doing at all. Our latest on Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 07/08/2026
Agentic AI Is a Board-Level Question. Corporate boards have spent decades asking whether companies are creating shareholder value. Agentic AI requires them to ask another question: what kind of workplace are we creating in the process? Latest on Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/agentic-ai...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 05/08/2026
The Skills AI Can't Automate Begin at the Elementary School Inventors Fair. Long before we teach children to master technology, we should be teaching them to notice problems worth solving. My thoughts on Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-skills...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 01/08/2026
Companies that win in the AI Age won't simply get more work from people. They'll build something called Productive Capacity that yields better outcomes for people in the modern workplace. Read about it in my latest Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/ai-didnt-j...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 26/07/2026
We Didn't Need Perfection. We Needed to Keep Getting Better. Charles Glassman, MD reminds us that the pursuit of perfection may be making us sick. The workplace has spent more than a century rewarding exactly that pursuit. Read my Substack for a deeper dive: dansmolen.substack.com/p/we-didnt-n...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 22/07/2026
AI Doesn't Need More Answers. It Needs Better Questions. What if Sunday School prepared us for the age of agentic AI better than we realized? I explore this in my latest Substack. Subscribe so you don't miss future discussions like this one. LINK--> dansmolen.substack.com/p/ai-doesnt-...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 20/07/2026
The Generation That Was Told Never to Fall Behind. Gen Z mastered the education to career system we built for them, then AI changed the rules. It's time for a fundamental rethinking. My latest on Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-genera...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 14/07/2026
AI Didn't Make Intelligence Obsolete, It Made Discernment Priceless. In my latest Substack, why artificial intelligence hasn't diminished the value of human intelligence, but rather changed what the marketplace rewards most. LINK: dansmolen.substack.com/p/ai-didnt-m...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 13/07/2026
AI Made Intelligence Cheap, Discernment Is About to Become the Most Valuable Skill at Work. Our latest on Substack. Please subscribe so you don't miss future posts, clips, and content. dansmolen.substack.com/p/ai-made-in...
dansmolen.substack.com
AI Made Intelligence Cheap, Discernment Is About to Become the Most Valuable Skill at Work
The best hires in tomorrow's workplace may not be the ones who know the most; they'll be the ones who judge the best
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 07/07/2026
What's the career harming habit nobody warned you about? Check out my latest on Substack; please subscribe so you never miss future posts. LINK: dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-career...
dansmolen.substack.com
The Career Harming Habit Nobody Warned You About
Why ambitious people say YES at work—even when they know they shouldn't
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 04/07/2026
July 4, 1976 was chill. July 4, 2026 is not. And yet I still believe our best days lie ahead. Indulge me... dansmolen.substack.com/p/july-4-197...
dansmolen.substack.com
July 4, 1976 was Chill, July 4, 2026 is Not
On this, America's 250th birthday, I find myself thinking less about fireworks and more about who we are—and who we still have the chance to become
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 27/04/2026
“Prompt Literacy” is Our New Social Signal. Agentic AI has upgraded workplace vernacular. dansmolen.substack.com/p/prompt-lit...
dansmolen.substack.com
“Prompt Literacy” is Our New Social Signal
Agentic AI has upgraded workplace vernacular
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 24/04/2026
AI Is Rewriting the Definition of a “Qualified Candidate” We optimized for readiness. Now we need people who can reason. My deep dive on Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/ai-is-rewr...
dansmolen.substack.com
AI Is Rewriting the Definition of a “Qualified Candidate”
We optimized for readiness. Now we need people who can reason.
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Reposted by Dan Smolen
Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
If Donald Trump has his way, America’s Worst Airline™ might soon become our national flagship carrier. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com
A Flailing President Seeks a Hellhole Airline
Donald Trump wants to buy Spirit Airlines. Honestly, they deserve each other.
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 17/04/2026
When Different Birds Share a Perch. On Substack we explore what a Robin and a Mourning Dove can teach us about the future of work—and each other dansmolen.substack.com/p/when-diffe...
dansmolen.substack.com
When Different Birds Share a Perch
What a Robin and a Mourning Dove can teach us about the future of work—and each other
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 07/04/2026
What happens when people who serve us can afford to live among us? We deep dive into that question on our latest Substack. Subscribe and never miss future posts. dansmolen.substack.com/p/what-happe...
dansmolen.substack.com
What Happens When the People Who Serve Us Can Afford to Live Among Us?
A simple question with profound implications for work, community, and the future of where we live
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 03/04/2026
What happens when civil servants are priced out of the communities that they serve? A deep dive from the latest What's Your Work Fit? live show with our guest Chris Moeller. dansmolen.substack.com/p/they-save-...
dansmolen.substack.com
They Save Our Lives—But Can’t Afford to Live Near Us
What happens when the people who serve a community are priced out of it?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 29/03/2026
I saw her bright future before she could. 10 years ago, in the middle of fear, illness, and uncertainty, I imagined the life she couldn't; next week, she steps into it as a newly minted registered nurse. dansmolen.substack.com/p/i-saw-her-...
dansmolen.substack.com
I Saw Her Bright Future Before She Could
Ten years ago, in the middle of fear, illness, and uncertainty, I imagined the life she couldn't; next week, she steps into it
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 27/03/2026
Return-to-Office (RTO) Isn't About Strategy. It's About Fear. Check out this clip from the latest What's Your Work Fit? podcast episode. dansmolen.substack.com/p/return-to-...
dansmolen.substack.com
Return-to-Office Isn’t About Strategy. It’s About Fear.
And until we admit that, we’ll keep getting workplace decisions wrong
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 26/03/2026
Stop Designing Offices Before You Design Work. Our guests on What's Your Work Fit?, authors Sara Escobar and Corinne Murray, describe the costly mistake companies keep making about work—and why it’s failing employees and leaders alike. youtu.be/-cCOQypoLgs?...
youtu.be
Stop Designing Offices Before You Design Work
YouTube video by What's Your Work Fit
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 25/03/2026
Stop Designing Offices. Start Designing Work. That's where we start today on What's Your Work Fit? with our guests, the authors of WORK Then PLACE Sara Escobar and Corinne Murray. dansmolen.substack.com/p/stop-desig...
dansmolen.substack.com
Stop Designing Offices. Start Designing Work.
This week's What's Your Work Fit? show forces a difficult question: are you building your work around a place, or your place around your work?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 24/03/2026
In Loudoun County, Virginia, noise from a data center exceeded 90 decibels. Long term exposure to such noise can harm one's hearing. Here's a story from NBCWashington: www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/n...
nbcwashington.com
Neighbors raise concerns about noisy data center in Loudoun
Imagine what it would be like if you had a helicopter havering over your neighborhood all day and night? That’s what residents say that’s kind of what it sounds like at a data center in the Ashburn, V...
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 20/03/2026
The Cloud Lives Across the Street. What happens when the infrastructure of AI shows up 100 yards from your front door? This is my latest missive on Substack. dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-cloud-...
dansmolen.substack.com
The Cloud Lives Across The Street
What happens when the infrastructure of AI shows up 100 yards from your front door?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 19/03/2026
Is Agentic AI Becoming...Aware? With mind-boggling advancement, it seems as if it is quickly approaching consciousness. Our latest What's Your Work Fit? live show. dansmolen.substack.com/p/is-agentic...
dansmolen.substack.com
Is Agentic AI Becoming...Aware?
With mind-boggling advancement, it seems as if Agentic AI is quickly approaching consciousness
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 12/03/2026
Laid off talent must "differentiate" to find new work opportunities. Key insight from our What's Your Work Fit? guest, recruiter Kareem Rogers> dansmolen.substack.com/p/laid-off-t...
dansmolen.substack.com
Laid Off Talent Must "Differentiate" to Find New Work Opportunities
On What's Your Work Fit? recruiter Kareem Rogers answered the question: How Do I Reinvent Myself After a Layoff?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 11/03/2026
How Do I Reinvent Myself After a Layoff? Our guest on What's Your Work Fit?, Kareem Rogers, helps sidelined professional talent establish their next chapters. Catch this important discussion starting at 12PM TODAY, March 11, 2026, or anytime thereafter. dansmolen.substack.com/p/how-do-i-r...
dansmolen.substack.com
How Do I Reinvent Myself After a Layoff?
Our guest on What's Your Work Fit?, Kareem Rogers, helps sidelined professional talent establish their next chapters
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 08/03/2026
Cornell Univ Researcher Confirms What Your Worst Meeting Already Told You: People most inspired to “synergize paradigms” may be awful at their jobs. dansmolen.substack.com/p/cornell-re...
dansmolen.substack.com
Cornell Researcher Confirms What Your Worst Meeting Already Told You
People most inspired to “synergize paradigms” may be awful at their jobs
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 03/03/2026
When Space Expands: Will More Square Footage Improve My Work Fit? dansmolen.substack.com/p/when-space...
dansmolen.substack.com
When Space Expands: Will More Square Footage Improve My Work Fit?
After 11 years of cramped apartment living I'll soon find out
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 24/02/2026
Walt Disney invented Imagineering. We're wondering how it can inform work fit in the Age of AI. dansmolen.substack.com/p/imagineeri...
dansmolen.substack.com
Imagineering Work Fit in the Age of AI
Could designing the modern workplace like a Disney attraction support Work Fit?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 20/02/2026
When Praise Becomes Pressure: The Hidden Cost of Workplace Hype. An important read for career high-achievers. dansmolen.substack.com/p/when-prais...
dansmolen.substack.com
When Praise Becomes Pressure: The Hidden Cost of Workplace Hype
For elite performers, in the rink or the workplace, increased expectations render Work Fit elusive
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 16/02/2026
Work Fit in a 'Fire Horse' Year: Designing Endurance in a Season of Acceleration. The Lunar New Year, which starts on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ushers in an intense, norms crushing Fire Horse Year. During it, how will you achieve your Work Fit? dansmolen.substack.com/p/work-fit-i...
dansmolen.substack.com
Work Fit in a 'Fire Horse' Year: Designing Endurance in a Season of Acceleration
The Lunar New Year, which starts on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ushers in an intense, norms crushing Fire Horse Year. During it, how will you achieve your Work Fit?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 14/02/2026
The quiet death of courtesy and why its revival may be central to Work Fit. Subscribe to our Substack for FREE. dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...
dansmolen.substack.com
The Quiet Death of Courtesy and Why Its Revival May Be Central to Work Fit
Occasionally, young people need to be directed, or redirected at work and in life.
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 12/02/2026
Busyness is Not the Mission of Modern Work. When it loses its status in the workplace, better outcomes emerge. Check out our latest on Substack; subscribe to it for FREE. dansmolen.substack.com/p/busyness-i...
dansmolen.substack.com
Busyness is Not the Mission of Modern Work
When it loses its status in the workplace, better outcomes emerge
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 10/02/2026
The Dhammacetiya Monks’ Walk for Peace Aligns With Our Quest for Work Fit. Begun in October, their 2,300 mile journey from Ft. Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. promoted nonviolence and harmony. More on Substack: dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-dhamma...
dansmolen.substack.com
The Dhammacetiya Monks’ Walk for Peace Aligns With Our Quest for Work Fit
Begun in October, their 2,300 mile journey from Ft. Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. promoted nonviolence and harmony
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 08/02/2026
Do Super Bowl ads actually work? Years ago, I was an ad agency exec; I'm still asking the question... dansmolen.substack.com/p/do-super-b...
dansmolen.substack.com
Do Super Bowl Ads Actually Work?
Years ago, I was an ad agency exec; I'm still asking the question posed here
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 05/02/2026
In a day that includes work and other things, successful careerists strive to determine: What gets me to my Work Fit? Check out our latest Substack and subscribe for FREE. dansmolen.substack.com/p/what-actua...
dansmolen.substack.com
What Actually Matters in My Day?
In a day that includes work and other things, successful careerists strive to determine: What gets me to my Work Fit?
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 03/02/2026
Can Rural Communities Once Again Drive Work Fit? Small, long forgotten communities like Virginia's Northern Neck are reimagining their spaces as optimal ones to live and work. Our latest Substack post considers the rural future. dansmolen.substack.com/p/can-rural-...
dansmolen.substack.com
Can Rural Communities Once Again Drive Work Fit?
Small, long forgotten communities like Virginia's Northern Neck are reimagining their spaces as optimal ones to live and work
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 01/02/2026
Reimagining Higher Education: What If More Schools Looked Like Babson? Many institutions are not Division I cash cows; they have to get inventive to remain relevant and help students achieve work fit. Check out our latest on Substack and subscribe for FREE. dansmolen.substack.com/p/reimaginin...
dansmolen.substack.com
Reimagining Higher Education: What If More Schools Looked Like Babson?
Many institutions are not Division I cash cows; they have to get inventive to remain relevant and help students achieve work fit
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 30/01/2026
Out Sick, Still Online: The New Theater of Illness in the Modern Workplace. Check out my latest missive on Substack. Subscribe for FREE. dansmolen.substack.com/p/out-sick-s...
dansmolen.substack.com
Out Sick, Still Online: The New Theater of Illness in the Modern Workplace
Under-the-weather leaders, especially, need to model good practice: rest up and log off
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 28/01/2026
The Most Dangerous Time in Your Career is When Everything is Going Well, our latest Substack post on when to consider a career transition. Subscribe for FREE. dansmolen.substack.com/p/the-most-d...
dansmolen.substack.com
The Most Dangerous Time in Your Career Is When Everything Is Going Well
Knowing when to move on to something new is key to achieving work fit
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Dan Smolen @dansmolen.com · 24/01/2026
For a day founded on Work Fit, not every part has to be intense and strutted. Explore our Defense of Boredom Time and do subscribe to our Substack. dansmolen.substack.com/p/in-defense...
dansmolen.substack.com
In Defense of Boredom Time
For a day founded on Work Fit, not every part has to be intense and structured
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