Squiggly Careers #463 Career Setbacks: how to stay resilient which things go wrong
Mar 5, 2025
Amy Schoenthal, author of "The Setback Cycle," and Ken Okoroafor share their insights on resilience in the face of career challenges. They discuss a four-phase setback model, emphasizing the need to reflect and embrace experiences. Amy provides strategies to combat self-doubt, while Ken recounts personal setbacks and the importance of community support. Together, they highlight how empathy and openness can navigate tough times, reassuring listeners that obstacles are a common part of professional growth.
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Setback Feelings
- Career setbacks involve a lack of control and choice, making people feel lost and lonely.
- These setbacks often feel personal, even when they result from organizational decisions.
The Setback Cycle
- Process setbacks in four phases: establish, embrace, explore, and emerge.
- Embrace the difficult feelings and analyze the situation; this informs future actions.
Helen's Microsoft Setback
- Helen experienced a setback after returning from maternity leave at Microsoft.
- Her job was eliminated due to a restructure, forcing her to consider new options.
