How Do I Move Forward from a Career Setback? | Advising Real Leaders

Marketer Jeff faces a career crossroads after experiencing setbacks in his new role. Initially thriving in a dynamic industry following an MBA, Jeff's recent challenges stem from leadership changes and personal stressors, including his father's health issues. He grapples with feelings of burnout and a loss of direction, prompting him to seek coaching to reassess his career trajectory.

During a coaching session, Jeff reflects on his past patterns of job transitions and recognizes a recurring theme of dissatisfaction. He acknowledges the need to clarify his values and priorities, as well as the importance of building relationships with new leadership. The conversation leads him to consider whether he wants to pursue leadership roles that require skills outside his comfort zone, such as relationship building and asking for support.

Ultimately, Jeff concludes that he must evaluate whether his current role aligns with his aspirations and values. He identifies key questions to ponder, including what is truly important to him and whether he can achieve that in his current position. This introspection aims to guide him toward a more fulfilling career path, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals.

How Do I Move Forward from a Career Setback? | Coaching Real Leaders

12 Jul 2023

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He experienced early success and a fast promotion at his organization, but then things started to shift. Now, there have been leadership changes, and his scope of responsibilities has changed, making him feel like his career is backsliding. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches him through how he can reframe the situation and prioritize what he wants from his career going forward.

Further reading: - What Great Managers Do: https://hbr.org/2005/03/what-great-managers-do - How to Handle a Demotion at Work: https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/salaries-and-skills/how-to-cope-with-a-demotion-at-work - 15 Warning Signs Your Job Isn’t The Right Fit For You: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/10/15/15-warning-signs-your-job-isnt-the-right-fit-for-you/?sh=44dfcf931f33 - How to Figure Out What You Want Next in Your Career: https://hbr.org/2021/12/how-to-figure-out-what-you-want-next-in-your-career

This episode originally aired on Coaching Real Leaders on June 19, 2023.

Listen to more episodes of Coaching Real Leaders on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzAU8TPKsJua_hcLjT7aFzWcoqMnrp-z7

You can also listen to this episode on HBR.org, and wherever you listen to podcasts: - HBR.org (transcript available here): https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/06/how-do-i-move-forward-from-a-career-setback - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-move-forward-from-a-career-setback/id1545444200?i=1000617560696 - Spotify: - Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/coaching-real-leaders/episode/how-do-i-move-forward-from-a-career-setback-304572800 - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmhhcnZhcmRidXNpbmVzcy5vcmcvaGFydmFyZGJ1c2luZXNzL2NvYWNoaW5nLXJlYWwtbGVhZGVycw/episode/dGFnOmF1ZGlvLmhici5vcmcsMjAyMC0xMi0xNzpjb2FjaGluZy1yZWFsLWxlYWRlcnMuczUuMDAwNg?sa=X&ved=0CAgQuIEEahcKEwj4xMjsu-v_AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA

Series Description: We all want to get to the next level of our career, but so many of us get stuck. Longtime leadership coach Muriel Wilkins takes you inside real-life leadership coaching sessions with high performers working to overcome professional challenges and grow as leaders. Listen in on real conversations and leave with new insights and practical guidance for your own career.

The views expressed on this podcast are those of its hosts, guests, and callers, and not those of Harvard Business Review.

About Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, books, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review aims to provide professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to help lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact. Learn more at www.hbr.org.

Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 1:55 – Being at a Low Point in the Current Role 10:00 – How to Move Forward 20:33 – What Could’ve Been Done Differently? 31:51 – Who Am I – and IC or a Manager? 40:26 – Your Truth Can Change 51:03 – Outro

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