Deep Relationships Create Meaningful Careers

In 2021, I had a rough personal and business year. Funny how those two things usually line up. Personally, I lost a beloved family member–which for me brings up the many other losses in my past. And professionally–I was struggling to keep the business afloat. I was doing a lot of social marketing and trying to launch my groups multiple times a year…and something wasn’t clicking.

It came to a point at the beginning of 2022, when I thought about quitting my business and finding a full time job. While I was sending out resumes and networking toward this goal, I also decided to spend some quality time with my Clifton Strengths report to find some answers.

As is typical with my time spent revisiting my Clifton Strengths–I did find a nugget of truth. One that I’ve been nurturing for the past two years and has brought me the greatest success of my nearly three-decade (oof!) career.

My 2022 insight (that is still hard to say out loud–damn you, Patriarchy!):

My most powerful gifts lie within my ability to build and nurture deep, meaningful relationships.

In this newsletter and in person…

It’s impossible for me to stay on the surface for very long with people. I go there.

And my people, they’re game. They’re in. They stay for the long haul and we go deeper every time.

Everyone else…well, they run for their lives. They change the subject. They unsubscribe.

But truly, that’s ok. I don’t have time to remain on the surface. That’s not real life. Not mine, anyway.

So, in 2022 that translated to reconnecting with coach colleagues, therapists, mentors and former clients. Showing up and giving generously in communities that are important to me. And most importantly, spending more time with friends who energize me and truly see me as I am.

The sparky energy I felt for my work and the business results followed many-fold.

In 2023, I continued to focus my efforts on relationship-building by deepening my work with former and current clients. I created free Monthly Office Hours sessions so I could build community and connect people I respect and admire–so they can support each other. I also experimented with new group formats to learn more about what works and doesn’t for the relationships I want to build.

And here I am after year two of the big relationships project and I’m more alive in my work than ever before. It feels aligned with who I am and the change I want to bring into the world.

To quote psychotherapist, icon, visionary Esther Perel – “It is the quality of our relationships that will determine the quality of our lives.”

Our careers do not get an exemption from this rule.

The quality of our relationships will determine the meaning we find in our careers–and I’m excited to say this will be a new additional area of focus for me in my work in 2024.

I want to build a community where we have monthly discussions on all the many topics at the intersection of relationships and career.

Loneliness, boundaries, dealing with assholes, intergenerational communication, networking in your own way…the list is long.

In addition to monthly sessions there will be quarterly virtual networking facilitated by me.

Most important to me…

It will be human.

It will be vulnerable.

It will go deep.

It will welcome all genders.

And it will be less than $1000 for the year.

I’m still working through the details for a more official launch, but I want to put the word out to all of you who may not be in career transitions and are looking for a way we can work together.

If this sounds like something you’d want to learn more about, please click yes below to send an email my way.

Thanks for continuing to stick with me as I delve into some of the more difficult career topics.

I appreciate you and your commitment to finding meaning in your work.