The Power of Y.O.U. and Successful Career Pivots for a Dual Career Couple
Power Quote of the Month
In my practice, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to work with more than one member of a family after feeling the satisfaction of achieving their career and life goals – either one spouse referring another, or a client referring their adult child. Recently, I was privileged to work with a highly motivated and coachable couple seeking to fulfill more of their individual potential as well as the desire to recalibrate their balance as a dual career couple with very busy lives. I know their story will demonstrate their enthusiasm for their process and their coaching experience with me.
Here’s the scenario:
Fourteen months ago, I came to Nancy at a major crossroads in my life, feeling uncertain about my next steps. After gaining extensive strategic experience in leadership roles within the nonprofit, healthcare, and political sectors, I decided to take time off as a stay-at-home dad for my 2-year-old daughter. Although I cherished being an integral part of my daughter’s early development and advocating for her needs, I began to feel a loss of purpose and self-expression. I struggled with the absence of income and the lack of productivity, which took a toll on my mental and emotional well-being. I had always wrestled with self-doubt, which became more pronounced during this time. My lack of self-care and routine also made me feel disconnected from the person I once was. Nancy helped me regain my energy and commitment to exercise, healthy eating, and finding activities that improved my outlook. She introduced me to the “Now What” career transition exercises which were instrumental in helping me identify and overcome the limiting beliefs that had been holding me back. Nancy guided me through an in-depth career assessment that helped me reconnect with my strengths and reignited my passion for strategic communications, educating others on accessing health resources, and improving organizational processes. This shift in mindset was a turning point. I stopped seeing myself as someone stuck in a tedious job and began to view myself as a person with valuable skills, ready to embrace new opportunities. With newfound clarity and confidence, I entered the job market with a clear strategy. I wasn’t just looking for any job; I focused on finding a role that matched my values, skills, and aspirations. Nancy worked with me on strategic planning, preparing me for interviews by focusing on how to actively engage with interviewers, ask insightful questions, and communicate how I could contribute to their teams. When negotiating job terms, I felt empowered to advocate for myself and ensure the role aligned with my long-term goals. After much hard work, I landed a leadership role with a hybrid work schedule at NYC Health + Hospitals, the nation’s largest public health care delivery system. Their mission—ensuring that every New Yorker lives the healthiest life possible—aligned perfectly with my sense of purpose and personal values.
As Omair worked through his transition, I realized I too was at a crossroads. After 10 years of long hours and being the primary breadwinner for our family, I found myself burned out and longing for a change. Seeing the progress Omair had made with Nancy inspired me to seek her help as well. I was interviewing with law firms but wanted a firm that prioritized work-life balance and fostered a supportive, collaborative culture. Nancy’s coaching helped me shift my approach to my job search. In addition to improving my strategic communication skills, Nancy worked with me to reframe my mindset and embrace the process with confidence. Through our sessions, I not only gained clarity about what I wanted in my next role, but I also learned how to advocate for myself effectively. With Nancy’s guidance, I went into interviews with a new perspective, focusing on finding a mutually beneficial match with potential employers. The process was long and challenging, but Nancy was with me every step of the way. She helped me craft a strategic narrative that resonated during the interview process. When it came time to negotiate the job offer, I felt empowered to secure a role that aligned with my values and long-term aspirations, ensuring that the firm’s culture and the position fit my vision for a balanced and fulfilling career. Ultimately, I landed a position with a large full service law firm that not only matched my professional goals but also offered the support and balance I had been seeking.
As a result of Nancy’s coaching, our family’s dual career income increased, and we both found a renewed sense of balance and satisfaction in our professional and personal lives. Nancy didn’t just help us secure new roles; she empowered us to take control of our futures, transform our mindsets, and confidently pursue opportunities that aligned with our values and aspirations. We are now in roles that bring us fulfillment, both professionally and personally, and we feel more energized and purposeful than ever before. Our careers are thriving, and we are excited for this new chapter in our lives. Nancy’s support was invaluable, and the tools she provided have had a lasting impact on both of our careers and personal growth. We now approach our work and family life with renewed confidence, and we continue to embrace the future with clarity, purpose, and a deeper understanding of who we are and where we’re headed.
30 Day Power Challenge
- Carve out time on your calendar to be able to focus fully on your parter. Share the top 3 needs you need to have met in order to succeed at work and home including emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, etc.
- Tell your partner what “support” looks like for you as part of being a dual career couple.
- Share your 3 to 5 year career and life vision with your partner and describe what would bring the most fulfillment and satisfaction for an ideal marriage and partnership as a dual career couple? Be as specific as possible.
- Share your biggest fears with your partner and brainstorm together actions you can take to reduce or eliminate those fears.
- Measure the results you achieved and give your partner feedback at the end of 30 days.
I want to hear from you. Send me an email and please let me know how you did with this month’s challenge and the power resources and tools. You can also connect with me via my email: nancy@careerleverage.net to learn how my services can benefit you and set up a complimentary discovery call with me.
Are you ready to take action and be accountable for your desired results?
Do you want challenge yourself to grow professionally and personally? If your answer is YES to both for creating sustainable change, then contact Nancy to learn more about the steps for getting there.
Nancy Friedberg, M.A.
Master Coach and President, Career Leverage, Inc.
Marshall Goldsmith Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach
Certified Now What? Facilitator