Melissa loved being that person. She wanted to take on your problem, fix it, and get you back into your groove. She was really thriving in a support role.
But…
What she loved most was teaching people how systems work, particularly accounting and technology systems.
She came to me because she thought the best way to find a position that was the perfect combination was to look for a new company.
Everyone depended on her – A LOT!
What might they think if they realized she wanted MORE?
Also, perhaps just as scary, what if she got MORE and couldn’t handle it?
It was interesting to me that, even though she loved her company, she was more willing to go through a complete reinvention instead of broaching the conversation with her very pleased manager.
It does seem rather counterproductive to make your manager aware that you aren’t fulfilled, even though you seem really happy, are thriving in your job, and are getting recognition galore.
What if he decided to let her go that instant?
For months, Melissa grappled with which way forward she should go and eventually took a huge leap and invested in a career coach (me.)
Once we dug deeper into her brand and her intended employer audience, I started to see how everything she wanted to and was able to offer was likely something her current company needed. Not only that, but they also needed someone GREAT at it.
The branding process built up her confidence, but it also forced her to confront the fact that fear was making decisions for her.
What became scarier was the prospect of never knowing what could have happened or finding out the grass was not greener.
We built up her courage, which reframed the fear in a way that better served her.
This was 2014. Not only did her manager move her to the department that offered her the best application for her talents and path for growth, but she was promoted to train others. Melissa then moved to an even more visible and profitable position, before being promoted yet again to a position that is completely in her wheelhouse (data) and enables her to take a growth pause (which you may have learned was not okay, but really is) to spend more time with her family.
3 promotions in less than 4 years, and a perfect lifestyle position. That’s what courage can do.
Is it your time to level up? Click here to take The Courageous Leadership 5-Day Challenge and find out.
Karen Huller, author of Laser-sharp Career Focus: Pinpoint your Purpose and Passion in 30 Days (bit.ly/GetFocusIn30), is founder of Epic Careering, a 13-year-old leadership and career development firm specializing in executive branding and conscious culture, as well as JoMo Rising, LLC, a workflow gamification company that turns work into productive play.
While the bulk of her 20 years of professional experience has been within the recruiting and employment industry, her publications, presentations, and coaching also draw from experience in personal development, performance, broadcasting, marketing, and sales.
Karen was one of the first LinkedIn trainers and is known widely for her ability to identify and develop new trends in hiring and careering. She is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer, Certified Career Transition Consultant, and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with a Bachelor of Art in Communication Studies and Theater from Ursinus College and a minor in Creative Writing. Her blog was recognized as a top 100 career blog worldwide by Feedspot.
She is an Adjunct Professor in Cabrini University’s Communications Department and previously was an Adjunct Professor of Career Management and Professional Development at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business She is also an Instructor for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy where some of her students won the 2018 national competition, were named America’s Next Top Young Entrepreneurs, and won the 2019 People’s Choice Award.