Aligning Career With Values

Are you really happy in your career, or are you just stuck in a path because it’s comfortable? Our priorities shift, and so should our careers. It’s not weak to change direction. It’s a sign of growth and a willingness to align what you do with who you’ve become. 9 Steps to Changing Your Career Path: 1. Reevaluate your priorities ↳ Does your current job align with what matters to you now? 2. Identify your core values ↳ What do you stand for today? Does your career reflect that? 3. Understand the financial impact ↳ What’s the real cost of switching? How will it affect your lifestyle? 4. Leverage your existing skills ↳ How can you apply what you already know in a new industry? 5. Network with those in the field ↳ Learn from people who are already doing what you want to do. 6. Test the waters ↳ Take on side projects or freelance work to get a feel for the change. 7. Update your personal brand ↳ Revamp your LinkedIn and resume to reflect your new direction. 8. Set clear goals and timelines ↳ Make the transition with purpose and action. 9. Let go of the past ↳ Release limiting beliefs about your career and identity. The best time to pivot is when you feel that discomfort. It’s a sign of something better ahead. When was the last time you thought about changing your career?

The essence of dignity is to be needed. The essence of despair is to be managed like a liability. The belief that your work creates value for others and that your contribution matters is how happiness should be taught in the workplace. When people are treated as assets to be developed rather than problems to be optimized, their sense of dignity expands. And so does their motivation. Too often, however, modern organizations unintentionally signal the opposite. Surveillance tools, rigid workflows, and impersonal management systems can leave employees feeling like line items to be controlled, not individuals to be trusted. A 2023 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that meaningful work, appreciation from colleagues, and daily enjoyment were far stronger predictors of happiness among Google employees than salary or flexibility. If you’re a leader, here’s where to start: - Show people they’re needed, not just useful - Connect effort to impact—clearly and often - Define success as service, not just status - Treat dignity as a metric, not a metaphor The purpose of leadership is not simply to direct outcomes, but to steward human potential. When people experience their work as meaningful and their presence as valued, they rise. This is the quiet work of great leaders: to make space for others to matter.

Why Purpose in Work Matters: In the whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and a never-ending inbox, it’s easy to feel stuck in a rut—especially when the initial excitement of your career fades, and the routine of firefighting takes over. So, how do you keep going? The answer lies in purpose. It’s not just about good habits or grit—it’s about finding meaning in what you do every day. When work feels meaningful, you are more engaged, perform better, and are less likely to look for another job. Purpose fuels not just productivity but long-term commitment. I discovered my own sense of purpose well after a decade into working. Initially, I was only focused on doing things well. But over time, I found inspiration in my company’s purpose. That spark gave my work new meaning and propelled me to a turning point in my career. Today’s professionals seem to grasp this concept early on, seeking out orgs that align with their values and make a positive impact. And that’s exciting! Tips on Finding Purpose:- 1. Examine Your Organisation’s Purpose: Does it resonate with you? When your work connects to something bigger, it’s easier to find motivation. 2.Look to Role Models: Entrepreneurs and leaders driven by purpose show how it can lead to lasting impact beyond just profits. Learning from their journeys can guide you toward your own sense of purpose. 3. Find Purpose in the Small Moments: Purpose doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s in the everyday actions—whether it’s creating inclusive spaces or supporting small businesses. Work as a Source of Purpose Work isn’t just about the paycheck or promotions. It’s about the sense of identity, accomplishment, and social connection that it offers. When we find fulfillment in our jobs, work stops being a mere obligation and becomes an integral part of our lives. For instance, a colleague told me she values her office environment because it gives her a space to be recognised for her professional skills, distinct from her identity at home. The "break" from household chores also motivates her, providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Rethinking Work-Life Balance Work-life balance is often framed as a struggle between two opposing forces: work as a "necessary evil" and life as the source of joy. This mindset can diminish the significance of work. Instead, I prefer to think of a balanced life, where work, family, leisure, and personal growth coexist without being in constant competition. A holistic approach, where work is one of many fulfilling activities, leads to greater overall satisfaction. Work isn’t separate from life—it’s a vital element of it. Purpose gives depth to our work. When you align your work with something bigger than yourself, not only does it become less stressful, but it can also propel career success. What gives you a sense of purpose in your work? Do share your thoughts! #careergrowth #purpose    

Staying true to yourself while climbing the career ladder isn't easy. But it's crucial. I've seen firsthand how a mismatch between personal values and company culture can lead to disaster. One individual, a quiet, process-oriented person, was overwhelmed by our fast-paced, energetic environment. He left within a month. I've also witnessed people trying to adapt to cultures that didn't suit them, suppressing their natural tendencies and feeling unfulfilled. The lesson? Find an organization where your values align. Seek a culture where your authentic self can as much shine. When you find that alignment, magic happens: • You'll contribute with passion and purpose. • You'll bring your best self to work. • You'll achieve true career growth. Don't compromise your authenticity for the sake of fitting in. Find the environment that allows you to thrive, both personally and professionally.

Yesterday, in one of my coaching sessions, I was listening to my client talking about how demotivated she was feeling at work, and her words struck a chord: "I'm not excited by this job; I don't feel like the cheerleader for the organization, I don't want to wear their brand or recruit for them because I no longer believe in their values." It made me reflect on moments in my HR career when I knew it was time to move on. In my client's reflection, she realized there were many things she still loves about HR; the light switch clicked when she said, "𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚." If you've stopped sharing open job roles, are reluctant to wear their branded shirts, or have lost your enthusiasm to be their cheerleader, it's time for serious introspection. Staying in such a situation not only holds you back but also does a disservice to the company. It's time to create an exit strategy and embark on a path that brings back your joy and fulfillment. Here are three suggestions to help you plan a well-thought-out exit strategy: 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: Take a step back and evaluate your values, aspirations, and career goals. Reflect on what truly matters to you in the workplace. What are the non-negotiables? What kind of company culture and values align with your own? Gain clarity on the type of organization where you'd thrive and feel excited to contribute your HR expertise. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡: Leverage your professional network and HR connections to explore opportunities in organizations that align with your values and goals. Attend industry events, connect with HR communities, and stay updated on job openings. In addition, thorough research on prospective employers will help you identify companies that resonate with your values and cultural preferences. 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: While you prepare to transition to a new company, use this time to enhance your skills and qualifications. Attend workshops, courses, or seminars to stay updated with the latest HR trends and best practices. Revamp your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight your achievements and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Now, the most crucial step is taking action. Don't let frustration and burnout hold you back. Please feel free to contact me for guidance and support in navigating this challenging period. I specialize in helping HR professionals like you find their passion, rebuild their careers, and regain their joy. Together, we can create a personalized strategy to ensure your next career move aligns perfectly with your aspirations. Remember, you deserve a workplace where you can wholeheartedly support the company's mission, values, and culture. It's time to take the first step toward a more fulfilling HR career. #hrcareers #careerfrustration #yourhrcoach #humanresources #introspection #exitstrategy

The hardest person to manage is ourselves. In 2005, Peter Drucker wrote an Harvard Business Review article that feels like it was written for today’s world. He emphasized something powerful: the ability to manage ourselves. In a time when career paths are no longer linear and change is constant, his insights are more relevant than ever. Drucker challenged us to ask three big questions about ourselves: - What are my strengths? - How do I perform best? - What are my values? These questions aren’t just for the Napoléons and Mozarts of the world—they’re for anyone navigating the complexities of the workplace. Here’s how to reflect on these ideas and manage yourself more effectively: 1. Discover Your Strengths Most people think they know what they’re good at—but many are wrong. Drucker proposed a simple solution: feedback analysis. Write down your expectations every time you make a key decision. A year later (or maybe a few months later), compare the actual results with what you expected. Patterns will emerge, showing you where you truly shine—and where you don’t. Tip: Focus on your strengths. Instead of trying to fix every weakness, double down on what you naturally excel at to achieve excellence. 2. Understand How You Perform People work and learn differently. Are you a reader or a listener? Do you learn by doing, writing, or talking? For example, Eisenhower excelled as a Supreme Commander because he prepared with written questions but struggled as President because he had to answer spontaneously in press conferences. Tip: Align your work style with what suits you best. If you’re a listener, seek discussions; if you’re a writer, carve out time to process through writing. 3. Live by Your Values Values are your internal compass. They define not just what you do but how you want to show up. Drucker shared the story of a diplomat who resigned rather than compromise his values. Knowing your values ensures your work aligns with who you are at the core. Tip: Periodically ask yourself: Does my work align with my values? If not, it may be time to pivot. As work evolves, so must we. By understanding our strengths, adapting how we perform, and living by our values, we can chart fulfilling, impactful careers. For me, this is a reminder to pause and reflect—not just on WHAT I’m doing but HOW and WHY I’m doing it. The hardest person to manage truly is ourselves, but when we embrace that challenge, we create opportunities to grow, contribute, and thrive in ways that feel deeply aligned with who we are. #reflection #learning #clarity #growth #improvement #leadership #humanBehavior #curiosity #values https://lnkd.in/enjcH4VJ

You don't need to quit your job to find meaning at work. You need to reshape it. For decades, the equation was simple: salary + benefits = a good job. That's not the equation anymore. Workers today are asking different questions: - "Does this role give me autonomy?" - "Am I actually growing?" - "Does this work connect to something I care about outside these walls?" - "Does this align with who I want to be?" And if the answer to any of these is no, they leave. Companies are losing talented people, not because they don't pay enough. They're losing them because the work feels meaningless. So most people think the answer is job hunting. Update the résumé. Interview season. New company. Fresh start. 🚨But there's something most people don't realize: You don't have to leave to find meaning. You can reshape your current role. It's called job crafting. And it's a game-changer. Here's how it works: Instead of waiting for HR to design your "perfect" role, you design it yourself by making strategic choices about what you work on. Volunteer for projects that align with what you actually value—not the safe projects, the meaningful ones. Connect with colleagues who share your goals and passions. Stop working in isolation and build real collaboration around things you care about. Delegate or hand off work that doesn't connect with you to people who might actually enjoy it. 🎯 Here's what job crafting looks like in practice: Option 1: The Project Volunteer You hear about a new initiative that aligns with your values. You raise your hand. You don't wait to be asked. You volunteer because it matters to you. Result: You're doing work that connects to who you are, and your boss thinks you're incredibly motivated. Option 2: The Community Builder You find colleagues who share your passion—whether that's innovation, sustainability, mentoring, diversity—and you build an informal network around it. You start meeting. You collaborate. You create something that doesn't officially exist yet. Result: You've built meaningful relationships around shared purpose, and you have a community within the company. Option 3: The Strategic Delegator There's work you do that someone else would actually enjoy. You have a conversation about trading responsibilities. You hand off the work that drains you to someone it energizes. Result: You're spending more time on what matters to you, and your colleague is actually engaged by the work. The beauty of job crafting: You don't need anyone's permission. What's one way you can reshape your role this week to align it with what actually matters to you? 👇🏼 Join 200,000+ leaders who live an essential life by joining my newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/g9i9J_da

One of my coaching clients just called me with a career dilemma. "Marcus, I have three offers on the table. One pays $25K more than the others. It's a no brainer, right?" Wrong. Over the last decade, I've watched too many sales professionals chase the highest initial offer only to burn out, get laid off, or quit within 12 months. Why? Because they never looked at the full picture. Here's the exact decision framework I shared with him (and use myself): 1️⃣ Leadership Quality: Will your direct boss push you to grow? Will they advocate for you? Will they teach you? The quality of your leader will impact your career trajectory more than any other factor. 2️⃣ Company Trajectory: Is this company on the way up or down? What's their financial position? What's their reputation in the market? A 10% pay bump means nothing if the company does layoffs in 6 months. 3️⃣ Values Alignment: Can you authentically represent this company? Do they make decisions you respect? Will you be proud to tell people where you work? 4️⃣ Growth Ceiling: What's the highest position you could realistically achieve at this company? What skills will you develop? How marketable will you be in 3 years? 5️⃣ Work-Life Integration: Will this role support the life you want to build? Will it demand 80-hour weeks? Will it require constant travel? My client ended up taking the middle offer ($150K) because the leadership was elite, the company was growing 70% YoY, and the path to director was clear. The right career decisions compound over time. $25K might seem like a lot today, but the right leadership, skills, and trajectory can be worth millions over your career. Make decisions with the long term in mind. — Hey sales pro…are you prepping for a job interview? Lemme help you: https://lnkd.in/gQvZJZsk

The idea that “success isn’t the same as reaching your full potential” has reshaped how my clients approach their careers — and their lives. 🧠 The mindset shift: Success can be measured in contracts, job titles, and missions completed. But I’ve worked with too many people who were “successful”… …and still felt lost, unfulfilled, or disconnected from who they really are. That’s why I created a model with three essential ingredients —to help my clients succeed and move towards their full potential. 🔑 Ingredient 1: Your WHY Setting Goals in line with Your ethics. Your values. Your sense of purpose. It’s not enough to want a new role — you must know why it matters and how it aligns with your identity. 🔥 Ingredient 2: Uncomfortable, Consistent, and Focused Action Not scattered effort. Not reactive applications. But strategic, consistent action aligned with your goals, WHY, and ethics — especially when it’s uncomfortable. 🌱 Ingredient 3: Confidence, Self-Belief, and Fulfilment This is the virtuous cycle — where self-belief reinforces action, and action leads to growth, which fuels even more self-belief. It’s the opposite of impostor syndrome. It’s internal alignment in motion. 🌀 Why it resonates: Because it reconnects people with what brought them into this work in the first place. It strips away the noise and helps them rebuild a foundation of meaningful action, not just performative achievement. This is how they move beyond surviving roles; This is how they begin to thrive again! 🤔 You can be “successful” and still be stuck. Reaching your full potential requires alignment, courage, and consistent action, not just another job title.

Are you building a career around... your values -or- your expectations? When your path feels out of alignment, it’s often a call to reconnect with your core values. For leaders navigating reinvention, values serve as a compass, guiding us toward choices that truly resonate with who we are and the impact we want to make. When your next chapter is built around what genuinely matters to you, the work doesn’t just look good on paper... it feels right in your soul. Here are a few ways to lean on values as you shape your next professional chapter: 1) Identify Your Three Core Values as Your True North As we shift into new ventures, it’s easy to get caught up in what seems impressive or “marketable.” Take time to identify or rediscover your top three values. Write them down, and check in with them regularly. Are these principles clearly reflected in the work you’re choosing? Do your goals feel aligned with these values? This practice brings clarity and makes it easier to say “yes” to what’s right and “no” to what’s not. 2) Use Values to Filter Opportunities Especially in transition, many options can arise, and it’s tempting to explore them all. Before diving into new projects, ask yourself: Does this opportunity align with my values? Does it contribute to the legacy I want to build? This filter helps ensure that your choices add authentic value to your life rather than just filling up your schedule. 3) Reflect on Values When You Feel “Stuck” or Uncertain Feeling stuck is often a sign of misalignment with your values. When you sense that resistance, revisit your core values. Ask yourself where there might be a disconnect. Sometimes, the act of reconnecting with our values helps dissolve doubt and make a tough decision feel much clearer. 4) Share Your Values with Key People in Your Life Transparency about what drives you isn’t just for your benefit. Share your core values with those close to you: • mentors • peers • loved ones This opens the door for deeper connections and meaningful conversations. It also invites accountability: when your values are out in the open, you’re more likely to stay true to them. 5) Embrace Values as Fuel, Not Restriction Sometimes, leaders worry that values may “limit” their choices. The truth? Values expand what’s possible by giving your journey depth and meaning. They prevent burnout by focusing your energy on work that aligns with who you are. Trust that this foundation fuels both fulfillment and long-term success. As you step into this next phase, let your values be your steady guide. Professional reinvention is a journey, and values keep you moving in the direction you desire most. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆 “𝗻𝗼” 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆?