Client Context

Fiona had spent 15 years with the same organisation, rising through the ranks to become Director of People & Culture. Known for her ability to lead complex change and navigate post-acquisition integrations, she was respected, capable, and outwardly successful.

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Yet underneath, she felt exhausted. The constant drive to deliver, please, and perform had left her burnt out and questioning what she really wanted next.

When we began coaching, Fiona had already made a brave decision and she’d resigned without another role lined up. She described feeling lost, unsure of her direction, and disconnected from her confidence.

The Challenge

Fiona came to coaching because she wanted clarity about her next career move. But beneath that goal sat something deeper:

• She was recovering from burnout and had lost her sense of self-belief.
• She wanted a more strategic and visible leadership role, but imposter feelings often held her back.
• Her definition of success had long been tied to titles and salary, yet she felt increasingly misaligned with those measures.

If nothing changed, she risked stepping straight into another demanding role that didn’t fulfil her - repeating the same cycle that had led to burnout in the first place.

The Approach

Over six sessions, Fiona and I worked through a structured but flexible process to help her rebuild confidence, rediscover her strengths, and reconnect with her purpose.

• Session 1 – Knowing Your Truth: We began by exploring what she really wanted from her next role. It became clear she needed to focus on recovery and confidence before chasing new opportunities.

• Session 2 – Recognising Value: Together, we mapped out her career highlights, achievements, and impact. Seeing her contribution in black and white helped her shift from doubt to self-recognition.

• Session 3 – Shifting Mindset: Using the BE/DO/HAVE model, we explored the beliefs keeping her stuck and introduced daily practices to reframe negative self-talk and celebrate small wins.

• Session 4 – Strengths & Ideal Role: We revisited her strengths and identified what truly energised her. Fiona clarified the kind of culture and leadership environment she wanted next.

• Session 5 – Building Resilience: When rejection and uncertainty hit, we explored how to maintain motivation, design energising routines, and find balance during transition.

• Session 6 – Redefining Success: The breakthrough came when Fiona realised success for her wasn’t about status but it was about balance, alignment, and living her values.

Throughout, my role was to challenge her thinking with compassion, helping her notice patterns of overachievement, reframe limiting beliefs, and build confidence through evidence of her own value.

The Outcome

By the end of our work together, Fiona hadn’t yet accepted her next role, but that no longer felt like the measure of success. She had rebuilt her confidence, reconnected with her purpose, and gained the tools to navigate her transition with clarity and calm.

Key shifts:

• Confidence: Fiona described feeling “much more self-aware and grounded.” She could now speak about her achievements with authenticity and pride.

• Clarity: She redefined her career goals around balance, culture fit, and meaningful impact, no longer chasing titles or salary.

• Mindset: She learned to replace perfectionism with progress, and fear with trust in her own resilience.

• Strengths: Fiona rediscovered how her empathy, influence, and strategic thinking could be used intentionally to shape her next chapter.

Client Reflection

“Coaching gave me the space to pause, reflect, and really consider what I want from the next stage of my career and life. I’ve come away with more confidence, clarity, and tools I can use daily. Most importantly, I feel like I understand myself better, and I’m moving forward with a stronger sense of purpose.”

The Takeaway

Fiona’s story shows that sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from getting the next job, they come from reconnecting with yourself first.
Through coaching, she rediscovered her confidence, redefined what success means, and stepped into her next chapter with clarity and strength.

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