Setting boundaries is one of the first steps in progressing toward a career change. Most of my clients are busy professionals with little free time. Asserting themselves—asking for what they need so they have space to think and dream—is one key skill to making a meaningful career transition.

Many new leaders fall into the trap of micromanagement despite their best intentions. It is essential to take a ruthless inventory of your relationship with control, your expertise, and the support you need to be curious and vulnerable.

Proactively communicating your vision and expectations is critical to motivating employees in complexity—even when you don’t have all the answers. If you feel your vision is getting lost in translation, a 360-degree review can help you prioritize where and how to grow as a leader.

As a leader, you are responsible for fostering psychological safety within your organization. This doesn’t mean you need to be nice at all costs, set low standards, or give team members free rein to talk about their personal challenges. It means you create the conditions for innovation and improvement.

A test-and-learn approach to transforming your career can bring freedom and flexibility. It liberates you from the pressure of committing to a specific path upfront while helping you discover what is appealing and feasible. This method of 'flirting with our possible selves' allows us to explore new identities until we find one that aligns with our values, interests, and skills.

Navigating a career transition can feel like wading through a swamp—both sulfuric and messy but also beautiful, surprising, nourishing, and full of growth.

A leadership philosophy alone will not solve the challenge of a culture transformation effort or a strategy refresh. However, it can help be a foundation for who you are in challenging moments.