From burnout to breakthrough
Situation
Nicole, a 30-year-old Director of Customer Success at a fast-growing startup, was starting to feel the weight of her ever-expanding responsibilities. Though she was incredibly smart and full of innovative ideas, she found herself overwhelmed, resentful, and burnt out.
Having been a manager at a previous company, she felt she deserved a bigger title and a pay raise but had struggled to successfully advocate for herself. One day, she stumbled upon a post I had written on LinkedIn. The message resonated with her, compelling her to reach out for coaching. Wanting to invest in her growth, Nicole purchased a coaching package for herself.
Challenge
Nicole had multiple objectives for our coaching engagement:
- She sought a confidential space where she could openly discuss and process her current emotional state.
- She wanted to gain clarity on what she truly desired, both in her career and personal life.
- She aimed to establish near-term and long-term goals that were aligned with her aspirations.
Additionally, Nicole was aware of the areas she needed improvement in, but was uncertain what those specifically were.
Resolution
Through our coaching sessions, we created a safe space for Nicole to unpack her emotions and confront her burnout and resentment. Utilizing lessons from my "Courageous Communicator" program, we explored her values, assessed her strengths and weaknesses, and clarified what she genuinely wanted in her career.
Together, we established a set of actionable goals—both immediate and long-term. These goals not only aimed at alleviating her current emotional state but were also tailored to position her for future career advancements.
Impressed with the effectiveness of my "Courageous Communicator" lessons, Nicole introduced me to the head of People Operations at her company. This led to an opportunity to conduct workshops for the entire organization, expanding the impact of our coaching relationship beyond just Nicole.
Impact
Nicole transformed from an overwhelmed and unfulfilled individual to a more grounded, focused leader. She was able to address her burnout, identify areas of improvement, and set a path toward career growth and personal well-being.
Not only did our work together result in a more confident and assertive Nicole, but it also led to organizational-level impact. The workshops I conducted at her company were well-received, contributing to an overall culture of open communication and leadership development.
Most importantly, Nicole felt empowered and aligned with her career objectives and life goals. She now serves as a testament to the transformative power of targeted coaching and self-investment.