Helen Hanison: Can Purpose Unlock Your True Career Path?

Helen Hanison is a seasoned leadership coach and the author of Unstuck: A Smart Guide to Purposeful Career Redesign. We spoke about her journey from high-flying PR executive to purposeful career coach, unpacking her unique three-act approach to career transformation. Helen’s story reflects a path many professionals find themselves on: successful yet deeply unfulfilled. Her coaching framework offers clarity and direction for those feeling trapped in their careers, helping them align their work with what genuinely matters to them.

In this episode, Helen discusses the profound impact of recognizing personal strengths, defining core values, and connecting with a sense of purpose, which she calls the "career compass." She shares insights on overcoming the “success trap,” where external achievements may mask inner discontent: “It’s not just about the outside success… it’s whether you’re pursuing something that feels purposeful.” Helen’s approach resonates for anyone grappling with a lack of meaning in their work or struggling with questions about career direction. Her ACT framework—Alignment, Career Redesign, and Transformation—guides clients through self-discovery to a sustainable, fulfilling career.

Key takeaways include:

• Avoiding the Success Trap: “You might be good at it, but is it right for you?” Helen challenges listeners to differentiate between competence and calling, addressing the need to “realign work with the life they wish they were living.”
• Creating a Career Compass: Helen highlights the importance of establishing a foundation based on one’s strengths, values, and purpose to guide any career pivot: “Strengths are the tools… values set the direction… purpose gives meaning.”
• Navigating Inner and Outer Barriers: Helen also emphasizes anticipating potential challenges—both internal and external—so they “don’t have the power to hold us stuck.”

If you’re feeling disillusioned with your career, Helen’s framework provides a practical path toward transformation, guiding you to rediscover purpose and unlock a new chapter of meaningful work.