Client Spotlight: From losing my sparkle at work to feeling aligned and valued
Today we’re hearing from Alice Cable, a participant in last fall’s cohort of the Career Collaborative Accelerator. Alice was kind enough to give us a behind-the-scenes look into her decision to invest in herself through group coaching, what the coaching process looked like for her, and what’s changed in her life as a result.
Alice, what inspired you to join the Career Collaborative Accelerator?
Something didn't feel right at work, and I didn't know where my career was headed. My career was a story of "one thing led to another," and each decision made sense at the time. It was hard for me to explain, concisely, how I'd gone from a Master's in Music History (and French Horn Performance) to running a small nonprofit that helped teens build battlebots for workforce development. Even tougher was where to go from there.
I had done a search for something like "how to make sense of your career journey" and saw a name that rang a bell. I'd seen Carole Ann's name listed in conferences so I signed up for a Career Mapping Session and I felt like Carole Ann understood me. She explained that there are a lot more people in the same boat than I might realize and that a group program was starting soon - would I like to participate?
It was tough for me to decide to invest the time and money in my own feelings and understanding myself. I've been working with a lot of people who scoff at 'touchy-feely stuff'. Even though none of them would know, I still felt vulnerable.
Then I met these brilliant, creative people in my class from a variety of backgrounds, generations, industries, and geography. I was so excited to go on this journey with them.
What discoveries did you make about yourself through our work?
I particularly valued that, during class, it's not a coach lecturing you how you can be better. It's a coach asking you questions, and inviting you to discuss your answers with fellow seekers.
A life-changing moment came after working to articulate my values. I gravitated toward things like "joy, beauty, laughter, fun,' and in my post-class energy buzz, I just summarized this category as "Sparkle."
Then I had to tell people about it. That was...kind of embarrassing.
But you know what? My classmates in the Career Collaborative Accelerator told me not to hold back my personality - my Sparkle is not only important to me, but part of what makes me unique.
And meanwhile, the person I most got along with at work advised me to play the game, deepen my voice, lose the smile and cheerful greetings. So in order to progress in my job, I was going to have to lose my Sparkle.
My first reaction was a quote from Office Space: "Why should I be the one to change? He's the one who sucks!” Secondly, that cheerfulness and sparkle is part of what makes me unique. If I took that advice, I'd lose that.
I may come across as bubbly at times, but I work at staying positive. I struggle with anxiety and depression, and focusing on what makes life beautiful is literally a survival tool for me.
What has it been like to have a community of Alumni to be a part of afterwards?
During the 'lame duck' period between the time I realized I needed to move on and the time I found the 'right next step,' I relied so much on my Compass Club (Penney Leadership’s alumni community) buddies. Only a few had been in the same cohort with me, but it was wonderful to join the huddles, book club, and small group chats. Work continued to diminish me, but the Compass Club made me feel valued. I had a different kind of valued co-worker now - the kind that supports you and listens, gives really good advice, commiserates when appropriate, but doesn't actually work with you.
What has changed for you as a result of our work together?
Forty feels a bit late to learn 'Who I Am (And What I Bring to the Table),' besides my job and being a parent, but that's what I gained in the Career Collaborative Accelerator.
Oh, and by the way, I did figure out how to explain my career journey through my personal mission statement, and that helped me land a new job that is aligned with my values.
It’s been an honor to get to know Alice and to help her connect the dots of her wide variety of skills, experience, and unique sparkle that she brings to her work. We’re fortunate to continue our community of learning and practice with her in the Compass Club!
If you can relate to Alice’s experience, applications are open through October 5th to join in the next cohort of the Career Collaborative Accelerator. We’ll come together in a small group of up to 12 mission-driven professionals to rethink and recharge our approach to our careers. And it doesn’t have to end after eight weeks—you’ll get an invitation to become a part of the Penney Leadership alumni community, the Compass Club. Learn more and apply here:
