In a recent LinkedIn post, Stacy Sherman, CSP®. MBA shares a powerful framework for achieving professional success, emphasizing a proactive approach to growth and contribution. Sherman outlines her “GIVE” acronym, breaking down four key verbs that she believes are essential for success, especially when approached quarter by quarter.
Sherman begins by highlighting her recent achievements, noting the end of Q1 2026 and her accomplishments, including earning her CSP and awards, signing keynote contracts, closing sponsorships, and building relationships. She then pivots to sharing her methodology, stating:
“I’m not special. You want success? Here’s exactly what to do. I call it GIVE. 4 verbs. 1 quarter at a time.”
Getting in the Right Room for Growth
The first element of Sherman’s framework is ‘G’ for ‘Get in the right room.’ She advises seeking out individuals who are perceived as being further along in their careers or expertise. This involves attentive observation and asking questions, even embracing the discomfort of sometimes being the least experienced person in a discussion. Sherman draws a parallel to her experience with pickleball, explaining how playing with better players elevates her own game.
“When I am on the court with better players, my game significantly improves. That is true in life and business, too,” Sherman writes.
Investing in Personal Development
The ‘I’ in GIVE stands for ‘Invest in yourself.’ Sherman candidly discusses her past struggles with self-investment, particularly after her corporate career ended. She reflects on a mindset shift required to prioritize her own development after years of focusing on the growth of others.
“If you do not, no one else will. When my 25+ year corporate career ended in March 2023, I struggled to spend money on my own development. As a mom and an employee working for others, I had spent years putting everyone else’s growth before my own. Investing in myself felt selfish. I had to change that mindset. So glad I did, because specific education and brand-building communities changed my life. Bet on yourself. Consistently.”
According to Stacy Sherman, CSP®. MBA, this personal investment is crucial, as specific education and community involvement have profoundly impacted her journey.
Voicing Your Unique Expertise
Sherman emphasizes the importance of ‘V’ for ‘Voice your zone of genius.’ This involves sharing deep knowledge freely through writing, speaking, and posting content. She argues that credibility is built not through singular grand gestures, but through consistent delivery of helpful information that attracts the right audience.
Extending Support to Others
Finally, the ‘E’ in GIVE represents ‘Extend to others.’ Sherman advocates for sharing hard-won secrets, shortcuts, lessons learned, and insights with others. She posits that helping someone else grow does not diminish one’s own achievements but rather amplifies them.
“Give your secrets to success to as many people as you can. The shortcuts you learned, the mistakes you made, what nobody told you when you were getting started. Share all of it. Someone else’s growth does not cost you anything. It multiplies what you have already built.”
Sherman concludes her post by posing a question to her network, encouraging them to commit to one action in Q2 to “GIVE more,” and expresses gratitude to various organizations that have supported her growth.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Stacy Sherman, CSP®. MBA on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 31, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →