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Meet Ken Persel, the game-changing founder of Persel Group Hiring Advisors, revolutionizing how top talent connects with breakthrough opportunities. Ken doesn’t just fill positions; he architects career transformations for leaders in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. With powerhouse clients like Amazon, AWS, Cisco, and PBS in his portfolio, this Boston College grad-turned-Fort Lauderdale-innovator has cracked the code on what he calls “Connection Logic,” the secret sauce that makes perfect professional matches happen.
In addition to his search and coaching work, Persel writes the Substack publication Career+, where he shares modern perspectives on careers, leadership, and the evolving hiring landscape, aimed at helping hard-working professionals gain influence, visibility, and career momentum (Persel, n.d.-b; Persel, n.d.-c).
Across these platforms, he positions himself as a tech- and AI-focused recruiter and career strategist dedicated to connecting “game changers with game changers” and helping leaders shape the next chapter of their careers (Persel, n.d.-a; Persel Group, n.d.-a; Persel, n.d.-c).
The Empowered Leader: Discussion with Ken Persel on Attracting Clients & Standing Out”
Overview
This is a live discussion between Margaret Williams, a leadership and executive coach, and Ken Persel, founder of the Persel Group, about attracting clients, standing out in a crowded market, and navigating modern business challenges.
Key Topics Discussed
1. Attracting Clients & Standing Out
Emphasized the importance of understanding what clients want before developing products/services
Recommends analyzing data (engagement metrics, comments, open rates) rather than relying on surveys
Discusses the challenge of content frequency, weekly posting is no longer sufficient; daily engagement is now necessary
Advocates for diversifying platforms (Substack, YouTube, LinkedIn) rather than putting all eggs in one basket
2. Personal Branding & Positioning
Margaret transitioned from career coaching to leadership and executive coaching, where the money is (B2B vs. individual coaching)
Ken emphasizes the importance of building trust and rapport through genuine relationships
Both discuss the need to find common ground with clients and nurture relationships like a garden
Margaret uses the “Wheel of Life” tool to help clients see interconnected life areas
3. Building Relationships & Trust
Relationships require continuous nurturing and investment (like a bank account)
Finding common interests or values is the bridge to connection
Trust and credibility are built through consistency and showing up authentically
Margaret focuses on working with founders and forward-thinking individuals who can afford premium services
4. Self-Awareness & Personal Growth
Margaret discusses recognizing triggers and patterns in oneself
Importance of addressing conflicts at the lowest point (when calm) rather than letting them escalate
Learning to love yourself first before expecting others to love you
Recognizing when to exit relationships that aren’t serving you
5. AI & Technology in Business
Margaret expresses concern about AI replacing jobs without proper regulation or quality control
Ken argues AI should empower people, not replace them; it’s a tool, not a replacement
Discussion of AI “hallucinations” (making up false information) and the need for fact-checking
Both agree that human oversight and quality control are essential
AI is useful for repetitive tasks, but cannot replicate human personality, creativity, or judgment
Margaret successfully used AI to design logos and thumbnails for her podcast
6. Content Creation & Platform Strategy
Margaret is focusing on Substack and building a paid subscriber community
Plans to reduce live shows next year to focus on nurturing paid subscribers
Using daily reflections and video content to engage the audience
Ken is new to Substack but is discovering its potential as a platform
Discussion of LinkedIn’s unique features (profile visitors, premium subscriptions, live streaming)
Restream tool is mentioned for going live simultaneously across multiple platforms
7. Career Transitions & Entrepreneurship
Margaret transitioned from 39 years in government to entrepreneurship
Discusses the challenge of not knowing how to be anything other than employed
Importance of having products/services ready before clients arrive
Building a network of 14,000+ LinkedIn connections as a foundation for future business
8. Thanksgiving & Life Priorities
Margaret chose not to cook but enjoyed meal prep; she focused on gratitude and not letting others control her emotions
Ken didn’t have to cook and appreciated the lack of cleanup
Both discussed the importance of helping others (referencing Gavin Newsom’s community meal efforts)
Reflection on how 2025 is almost over, and the need to reprioritize based on the challenges faced
9. Social Security & Financial Planning
Margaret expressed concern about Social Security’s future sustainability
Emphasis on not relying solely on government benefits
Need for personal financial planning and independence
10. Ideal Clients & Service Offerings
Margaret works best with founders and forward-thinking leaders
Ken helps professionals in tech, cybersecurity, and quantum computing find breakthrough opportunities
Both emphasize the importance of values alignment with clients
Coaching is a partnership, not a top-down relationship
Conclusion
The conversation emphasizes the importance of authentic relationship-building, continuous learning, strategic positioning, and using technology as a tool rather than a replacement for human connection. Both speakers advocate self-awareness, clear communication, and a focus on delivering genuine value to clients.
Recommended Amazon Books
Must-Read Career Game-Changers:
1. “The 2-Hour Job Search”
Author: Steve Dalton (2020)
Why it matters: Systematic approach to breaking into the hidden job market
2. “Never Eat Alone” (Expanded Edition)
Author: Keith Ferrazzi (2023)
Why it matters: Master class in relationship-building that actually works
3. “The First 90 Days” (Updated Edition)
Author: Michael Watkins (2023)
Why it matters: Stand out from day one in any new role
4. “Designing Your Life”
Authors: Bill Burnett & Dave Evans (2023)
Why it matters: Apply design thinking to your career strategy
Memorable Takeaways
1. Your resume is dead weight. Relationships are your real currency.
2. Be the solution, not another problem. Show up with insights.
3. Play offense, not defense. Create opportunities, don’t wait for them.
4. Trust compounds faster than skills. Invest in your reputation.
5. The best time to network was yesterday. The second-best time is now.
Call To Action
“Here’s the truth bomb: The job you want doesn’t exist yet. The client you need hasn’t realized they need you. The opportunity that will change your life is waiting for you to create it. Stop playing by rules written for a game that nobody wins. Start writing your own playbook.”
References
Persel, K. (n.d.-a). Ken Persel – CEO | AI executive search partner | job & career coach [Professional profile]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpersellinkedin
Persel, K. (n.d.-b). Career+ by Ken Persel [Substack newsletter]. Substack.
https://kenpersel.substack.comkenpersel.substack
Persel, K. (n.d.-c). Ken Persel [Author profile]. Substack. https://substack.com/@kenperselsubstack
Persel Group. (n.d.-a). Persel Group home – hiring advisors – recruiter, career, job search. https://perselgroup.comperselgroup
Persel Group. (n.d.-b). Persel Group [Company page]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/perselgrouplinkedin
Persel Group. (n.d.-c). About – Persel Group. https://perselgroup.com/about/perselgroup
Bolles, R. N. (2024). What color is your parachute? 2025: Your guide to a lifetime of meaningful work and career success. Ten Speed Press.
Burnett, B., & Evans, D. (2023). Designing your life: How to build a well-lived, joyful life. Knopf.
Burnett, B., & Evans, D. (2023). Designing your work life: How to thrive and change and find happiness at work. Knopf.
Dalton, S. (2020). The 2-hour job search: Using technology to get the right job faster. Ten Speed Press.
Ferrazzi, K. (2023). Never eat alone: And other secrets to success, one relationship at a time (Expanded ed.). Currency.
Grant, A. (2023). Hidden potential: The science of achieving greater things. Viking.
Pink, D. H. (2022). The power of regret: How looking backward moves us forward. Riverhead Books.
Watkins, M. (2023). The first 90 days: Proven strategies for getting up to speed faster and smarter (Updated ed.). Harvard Business Review Press.
