Mastering the Shift - A COVID-19 Client Story

Mastering the shift demanded by COVID-19 related unemployment is for the individual leader an endeavor in self-care, mental health, self-development, personal curiosity, productive action and resilience.

Each December I identify a theme for the year to come.

My theme for 2020 was “ Play Bigger” (more on that in my next post). As COVID-19 became a world-changing reality, that theme morphed into “Mastering the Shift”.

In my work as an executive and leadership coach, my focus for my clients has, of course, had to shift, as it has also shifted in my own professional and personal life.

For my clients, discussions about career aspirations have in some cases shifted to career transitions, and in a majority of engagements discussions have shifted to leveraging strengths in an all-hands-on-deck environment. Discussions around managing ambition have, in some cases, shifted to developing productive strategies to get unstuck. Working through general work frustrations has shifted to helping leaders practice self-compassion, compassion for their teams, and planning for and referring to other helping modalities like licensed counseling and therapy. Interpersonal dynamics for reading the conference/board room are shifting to the nuances of communicating and managing relationship dynamics in a virtual environment.

A recent session with a client reminded me how powerful it can be to help leaders make space for their productive professional and personal pursuits in a world that demands so much from their technical, creative, emotional and mental energies.

This account is shared with my client's permission, as we both appreciated that “mastering the shift” isn’t a flavor of the week, but a sustainable mindset and strategy to support leaders in a way that helps them get the support they need - in the moment and over the longer term.

I salute those in my profession who are doing amazing work, while thoughtfully balancing the ethical responsibilities of making referrals to and collaborating with licensed professionals who can support the needs of those we depend on to lead others in the midst of crisis and uncertainty.

Shared with client’s permission:

In a recent session with a client who wanted some support as she anticipates her job being impacted (she's in Director-level role) she’s overwhelmed at the thought of having a work outside of her industry, and loosing momentum on the 15+ years she put into her career.

As she shared from her heart, she decided she was ready to talk about what steps might be next. She was open to the suggestion to schedule a virtual session with a counselor so we knocked out some planning for that.

She went on to say she felt most stuck around thinking about having to work in an entry-level role somewhere else. Most of the jobs she's seen posted are for service roles, retail roles or tech roles for which she felt she was not qualified for or not interested in doing.

What she hadn't considered is that every one of the places she's considering applying to have mid and senior level roles within them. Whether they have those roles posted or not, "mastering the shift" may be finding a role that pays the bills and simply asking about future potential for more senior roles.

And that's when it happened. "Wow", she said. I was so stuck and so worried I could only see my worst fears playing out. It never occurred to me that if I have to go apply somewhere to make ends meet there may still be a way for me to find opportunity in the midst of all of this”.

And then I may have gotten a little choked up as she said, "Alright, Karen. Now I get what you mean by this whole 'Mastering the Shift" thing.

It is heartbreaking to see how real people, with real families and real needs and real stories are being impacted during this time.

It's also humbling and moving to walk with my clients, colleagues, friends and family as we work to navigate the unknown, brace ourselves for the known and rebuild when the time comes.

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