Climbing the Corporate Ladder: Realizations and Misconceptions
I remember leaving the office after everyone else had gone home, mentally replaying the day’s events and prioritizing what still needed to be accomplished that evening. As I drove home, tears of frustration and exhaustion rolled down my cheeks. Another day of firefighting and fixing issues that never seemed to go away. In fact, the work continued to pile up, leaving me wondering whether I was even making a difference anymore.
I had been climbing the corporate ladder, in a senior human resources leadership role at a global company thinking it was the only way to more freedom, happiness and job satisfaction. Boy was I wrong. Instead, I was miserable, overworked, frustrated, overwhelmed and burnt out.
Looking back over my career, I realized I stumbled into HR by accident after earning a psychology degree. I was fascinated with human behaviour, analyzing people, and solving problems but I wasn’t interested in a counseling role within a health setting. I wanted to help others within the workplace. At the time, HR seemed to be the only way to accomplish it.
I quickly became an advocate for others at work, supporting those who felt wronged or unable to express their needs. I discovered many talented people with good ideas that were being overlooked and marginalized. I thought of myself as a bridge to help leaders collaborate with them, resolve misunderstandings and find new solutions to benefit people AND the organization. Unfortunately, I was naïve to think all leaders prioritized the same altruistic values.
My feminine leadership qualities of empathy, collaboration, intuition, and inclusivity in the boardroom were not well received. When I spoke up, I felt misunderstood and unsupported. I was continuously defending my ideas and being forced to implement plans I didn’t believe addressed the root cause. I found myself constantly holding back anger raging inside me.
I realized I didn’t fit into the traditional adversarial male-dominated business system that operated for decades before me that valued hierarchy, control, and competition. I couldn’t understand why leaders were resisting changes that encouraged creativity and innovation. The few that did recognize the value, were afraid to express it because they didn’t want to “rock the boat”.
Managing my frustration became challenging and affected my communications. I found myself either withdrawing in meetings to avoid further criticism or losing my temper which made it even more difficult to collaborate with my colleagues.
I consistently took on more responsibilities and higher leadership roles in an effort to learn more and operate successfully within this leadership structure. I worked hard and never said ‘no’ to a challenge. I developed my knowledge and skills through a Masters degree in Business and a Certification in HR. I thought with each promotion I would have more expertise and freedom to implement new ideas and make meaningful changes which would finally bring me more happiness and job satisfaction.
However, I still felt marginalized and didn’t see anyone around me enjoying their jobs either. I began asking myself, was this all there was to life? People working all day long, hating their jobs and arguing with each other? Despite my hard work and continuous learning, nothing had changed. I still didn’t fit in and I felt frustrated, overwhelmed, and burnt out. I had no idea what to do next.
I had been climbing the corporate ladder, in a senior human resources leadership role at a global company thinking it was the only way to more freedom, happiness and job satisfaction. Boy was I wrong. Instead, I was miserable, overworked, frustrated, overwhelmed and burnt out.
Looking back over my career, I realized I stumbled into HR by accident after earning a psychology degree. I was fascinated with human behaviour, analyzing people, and solving problems but I wasn’t interested in a counseling role within a health setting. I wanted to help others within the workplace. At the time, HR seemed to be the only way to accomplish it.
I quickly became an advocate for others at work, supporting those who felt wronged or unable to express their needs. I discovered many talented people with good ideas that were being overlooked and marginalized. I thought of myself as a bridge to help leaders collaborate with them, resolve misunderstandings and find new solutions to benefit people AND the organization. Unfortunately, I was naïve to think all leaders prioritized the same altruistic values.
My feminine leadership qualities of empathy, collaboration, intuition, and inclusivity in the boardroom were not well received. When I spoke up, I felt misunderstood and unsupported. I was continuously defending my ideas and being forced to implement plans I didn’t believe addressed the root cause. I found myself constantly holding back anger raging inside me.
I realized I didn’t fit into the traditional adversarial male-dominated business system that operated for decades before me that valued hierarchy, control, and competition. I couldn’t understand why leaders were resisting changes that encouraged creativity and innovation. The few that did recognize the value, were afraid to express it because they didn’t want to “rock the boat”.
Managing my frustration became challenging and affected my communications. I found myself either withdrawing in meetings to avoid further criticism or losing my temper which made it even more difficult to collaborate with my colleagues.
I consistently took on more responsibilities and higher leadership roles in an effort to learn more and operate successfully within this leadership structure. I worked hard and never said ‘no’ to a challenge. I developed my knowledge and skills through a Masters degree in Business and a Certification in HR. I thought with each promotion I would have more expertise and freedom to implement new ideas and make meaningful changes which would finally bring me more happiness and job satisfaction.
However, I still felt marginalized and didn’t see anyone around me enjoying their jobs either. I began asking myself, was this all there was to life? People working all day long, hating their jobs and arguing with each other? Despite my hard work and continuous learning, nothing had changed. I still didn’t fit in and I felt frustrated, overwhelmed, and burnt out. I had no idea what to do next.
Breaking Free: Redefining Success
Meeting an amazing coach and healer was a turning point in my life. She introduced me to a new way of thinking about work and career that could offer more fulfillment, meaning and success. For the first time, I met someone who genuinely believed it was possible to create work that you truly love. She opened my eyes to the concept of life purpose and each of us possessing unique gifts and talents and when our work aligns with these qualities, it can become effortless and deeply rewarding.
At that moment, I decided that I could create a job I genuinely loved. I realized I didn't have to accept work that didn't resonate with me or conform to a vision or set of values not my own. I had the power to choose - to engage in meaningful work that served a greater purpose.
At that moment, I decided that I could create a job I genuinely loved. I realized I didn't have to accept work that didn't resonate with me or conform to a vision or set of values not my own. I had the power to choose - to engage in meaningful work that served a greater purpose.
A Renewed Energy: Finding Hope and Freedom
This realization shifted my perspective. Instead of following the traditional leadership model based on dominance and control, which often required me to fit into a predefined box where my ideas were frequently overlooked, there was an alternative. I could consciously design my career based on my own terms, regardless of external expectations.
A huge sense of relief washed over me and I had a new excitement for life. Witnessing others succeed in work they loved, and knowing I could join them, filled me with hope and freedom. I found a new path offering endless possibilities, and I felt empowered to pursue anything I set my mind to.
I committed myself to researching practical career development tools that could clarify my goals and keep me consistently moving forward. This satisfied the logical, left-brain practical thinker in me that I had relied upon most of my life.
Simultaneously, I learned from amazing healers, coaches, and leaders to tap into my right-brain intuitive talents and uncover limiting beliefs that had previously held me back. This inner journey of self-discovery was the true beginning of my transformation. I learned to integrate these new skills with my practical career development expertise and balance my logic and intuition more effectively.
I became certified as an Energy Medicine Practitioner and Consulting Hypnotist and the tools I learned deeply shifted my mindset and career vision. I discovered that I enjoyed working with other ambitious professional women wanting to be a catalyst for change and develop themselves. I was eager to share the tools that helped me transform my own career in hopes it could help them feel more confident and empowered to advocate for themselves and do the same.
I felt this was my purpose: to help ambitious professional women recognize their talents, gain clarity on their goals and confidently express themselves - to find purpose and create the career they desire.
A huge sense of relief washed over me and I had a new excitement for life. Witnessing others succeed in work they loved, and knowing I could join them, filled me with hope and freedom. I found a new path offering endless possibilities, and I felt empowered to pursue anything I set my mind to.
I committed myself to researching practical career development tools that could clarify my goals and keep me consistently moving forward. This satisfied the logical, left-brain practical thinker in me that I had relied upon most of my life.
Simultaneously, I learned from amazing healers, coaches, and leaders to tap into my right-brain intuitive talents and uncover limiting beliefs that had previously held me back. This inner journey of self-discovery was the true beginning of my transformation. I learned to integrate these new skills with my practical career development expertise and balance my logic and intuition more effectively.
I became certified as an Energy Medicine Practitioner and Consulting Hypnotist and the tools I learned deeply shifted my mindset and career vision. I discovered that I enjoyed working with other ambitious professional women wanting to be a catalyst for change and develop themselves. I was eager to share the tools that helped me transform my own career in hopes it could help them feel more confident and empowered to advocate for themselves and do the same.
I felt this was my purpose: to help ambitious professional women recognize their talents, gain clarity on their goals and confidently express themselves - to find purpose and create the career they desire.
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.
Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
Rumi
Overcommitment & Wake-Up Call
With more clarity of my vision, I was eager to make it a reality. As an ambitious professional woman, I often set high expectations for myself, multitasked, and worked hard to reach my goals. I took on additional responsibilities to help others and had difficulty in saying ‘no’, which resulted in more work for me and less time to focus on my own career goals.
While supporting others had always come naturally, I began to feel frustrated, overwhelmed and burnt out. Long nights spent burning the candle at both ends trying to do everything took a toll and I developed a serious health issue. Instantly, overnight my life and my priorities changed.
Suddenly, my health became my top priority. I felt fear, overwhelm and uncertainty about the future. Not only did I need to learn to support and strengthen my body, but I also had limited energy and needed to find a new way of working. I realized I needed to develop more effective routines that supported my health, current work, and career goals.
While supporting others had always come naturally, I began to feel frustrated, overwhelmed and burnt out. Long nights spent burning the candle at both ends trying to do everything took a toll and I developed a serious health issue. Instantly, overnight my life and my priorities changed.
Suddenly, my health became my top priority. I felt fear, overwhelm and uncertainty about the future. Not only did I need to learn to support and strengthen my body, but I also had limited energy and needed to find a new way of working. I realized I needed to develop more effective routines that supported my health, current work, and career goals.
Balance & Support Systems: Embracing a New Approach
Returning to basics, I reflected on the tools I had acquired. I focused on my own talents and how to utilize them efficiently. I only chose work aligned with my strengths and goals, and said ‘no’ to everything else. I set boundaries and eliminated non-essential activities, even if others were disappointed.
I learned to accept and appreciate my strengths, accepting work that aligned with what I enjoyed, letting go of responsibilities and habits that drained my energy. I became laser focused on my goals, caring less about the opinions of others or the external environment. This shift to working smarter, not harder, helped me reclaim my energy and improve my health.
As my capacity gradually returned, I created a high-level development plan to keep me organized and focused on inspired actions, progressing one step at a time. Instead of multitasking, rushing and trying to do it all, I focused on smaller more deliberate actions both personally and professionally, each building upon the last.
Another essential element of my successful turnaround was the support I received from trusted mentors, healers, and coaches. Their guidance and encouragement was critical during the challenging times when I felt like giving up. They provided stability and kept me focused on my long-term vision, reminding me to be patient along the way.
I learned to accept and appreciate my strengths, accepting work that aligned with what I enjoyed, letting go of responsibilities and habits that drained my energy. I became laser focused on my goals, caring less about the opinions of others or the external environment. This shift to working smarter, not harder, helped me reclaim my energy and improve my health.
As my capacity gradually returned, I created a high-level development plan to keep me organized and focused on inspired actions, progressing one step at a time. Instead of multitasking, rushing and trying to do it all, I focused on smaller more deliberate actions both personally and professionally, each building upon the last.
Another essential element of my successful turnaround was the support I received from trusted mentors, healers, and coaches. Their guidance and encouragement was critical during the challenging times when I felt like giving up. They provided stability and kept me focused on my long-term vision, reminding me to be patient along the way.
Thriving Through Right Action
I believe everything happens for a reason and the universe brought these challenges as a gift – for me to pause and reflect on my priorities, sharpen my focus on my talents, and the best path forward to achieve my desires. It helped me eliminate unnecessary distractions, release expectations, take one deliberate step at a time, and trust in perfect timing. Most importantly, I believe it highlighted the importance of balancing my health, relationships, and career.
The most significant shift for me has been consciously balancing my masculine and feminine strengths and taking action from a more relaxed state rather than a stressed, chaotic state. I've come to recognize this as taking ‘right action,’ which brings me the highest potential for success since it’s aligned with my high-level development plan. I have more capacity when I’m not wasting resources—time, energy, money—on non-productive activities.
This additional capacity has given me the privilege to support many ambitious professional women to recognize their talents, gain clarity on their goals and confidently express themselves - to find purpose and create the career they desire.
Here are some achievements I’ve witnessed:
The most significant shift for me has been consciously balancing my masculine and feminine strengths and taking action from a more relaxed state rather than a stressed, chaotic state. I've come to recognize this as taking ‘right action,’ which brings me the highest potential for success since it’s aligned with my high-level development plan. I have more capacity when I’m not wasting resources—time, energy, money—on non-productive activities.
This additional capacity has given me the privilege to support many ambitious professional women to recognize their talents, gain clarity on their goals and confidently express themselves - to find purpose and create the career they desire.
Here are some achievements I’ve witnessed:
- One client gained clarity on her next career move and was offered a work assignment aligned with her goals within two months of our collaboration.
- Another client gained clarity on her skills, how to communicate them, and successfully transitioned careers, after four months of working together.
- I've seen clients engage in more courageous conversations, setting clear expectations and boundaries instead of shying away from difficult discussions.
- Clients have had discussions with their leaders and asked for the support needed to achieve their development plans.
- Many are now feeling excited, optimistic, and focused on their long-term vision, learning to let go of what they can't control in their current environments
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself”
George Bernard Shaw
Commitment to Continuous Growth & Learning
In today's rapidly transforming business environment, we are witnessing a significant shift driven by a new generation of leaders who understand that blending the masculine qualities of action, drive, and ambition with the feminine qualities of nurturing, intuition, and balance leads to a more meaningful career and relationships.
My desire is to continue this inner journey of balancing these qualities in myself and to support hundreds of strong, confident, powerful, beautiful, brilliant, and brave professional women to do the same and feel empowered to consciously grow their careers more aligned with their purpose - and even have a little fun along the way.
If you relate to my story and would like to share your story with me, I’d love to gift you a no obligation complimentary
“Re-ignite Your Career” Consultation on zoom where I can learn more about your career vision, your talents, and the inner whispers that tell you, you are meant for more. Please email me at [email protected].
My desire is to continue this inner journey of balancing these qualities in myself and to support hundreds of strong, confident, powerful, beautiful, brilliant, and brave professional women to do the same and feel empowered to consciously grow their careers more aligned with their purpose - and even have a little fun along the way.
If you relate to my story and would like to share your story with me, I’d love to gift you a no obligation complimentary
“Re-ignite Your Career” Consultation on zoom where I can learn more about your career vision, your talents, and the inner whispers that tell you, you are meant for more. Please email me at [email protected].