A leader grapples with the tension between ambition and comfort as she considers a C-suite role. The conversation dives into the complexities of success, shaped by personal and societal expectations. Themes of self-reflection and understanding one's true aspirations emerge, highlighting the need to balance purpose with potential. The discussion emphasizes mindful decision-making in career transitions and the importance of aligning personal goals with professional opportunities.
Sarah reflects on her career progression and grapples with whether her desire for a C-suite role stems from genuine ambition or external expectations.
The conversation emphasizes the necessity for Sarah to redefine success from external milestones to a more purpose-driven approach that aligns with her true values.
Actionable steps are provided for Sarah, including writing down her purpose to clarify her values and make more meaningful career decisions.
Deep dives
Navigating Career Transition
A leader called Sarah discusses her career progression and the conflict she feels about taking the next step toward a C-suite role. Despite being well-prepared, she experiences uncertainty, guilt, and a sense of circular thinking about her ambitions. Sarah reflects on her past accomplishments but grapples with whether she genuinely desires the next role or if she feels pressured to pursue it simply because it aligns with her prepared pathway. Through this self-exploration, she aims to clarify her true goals and motivations for leadership.
Identifying Stasis in Career Growth
Over her decade at her current company, Sarah identifies three distinct phases in her career, culminating in her current state of 'stasis.' She feels that while she has stabilized her position after a challenging transitional period, she is no longer learning or developing. This realization sparks feelings of restlessness and the apprehension that she may be avoiding necessary changes. Sarah openly considers her comfort with this maintenance mode while acknowledging a desire for growth and challenge in her professional life.
Defining Success and Potential
During the conversation, Sarah articulates her understanding of success as being tied to external milestones and roles, leading her to consider what true success should look like from an internal perspective. She grapples with the idea that fulfilling external potential might detract from her true purpose. This dichotomy between her potential and purpose prompts her to question what she genuinely wants from her career. The discussion highlights the need for her to redefine success beyond traditional markers and toward a more purpose-driven approach.
Setting the Stage for Decision-Making
As Sarah discusses her feelings of conflict regarding potential versus purpose, she recognizes the need to reframe her approach to decision-making in her career. Instead of feeling compelled to chase the next big title, she aims to follow a path aligned with her purpose, which may lead to different opportunities. The conversation suggests creating a framework where she can evaluate future choices based on her internal goals rather than external pressures. Ultimately, this shift in perspective can encourage more satisfying and meaningful career choices.
Action Steps for Career Clarity
The conversation concludes with actionable steps for Sarah to move forward effectively, including writing down her purpose and potential. This exercise aims to clarify her values and priorities, helping her to distinguish between the roles that fulfill her purpose and those that cater to societal expectations of success. By doing this, she can begin to create a balanced path that acknowledges both aspects without undermining one for the other. Accepting that trade-offs are inherent in any decision should provide Sarah with a clearer foundation for her next steps.
She’s put in the hard work and might be next in line for an important, C-suite level job. But she’s not sure if that role is something she really wants. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader to help her discover what she really wants to do next.