My Approach
Gentle guidance for authentic professional growth
How thoughtful reflection and strategic awareness can transform your relationship with your career—without requiring you to abandon who you are.
A Different Kind of Professional Development
Most career advice assumes you need to become more extroverted, more self-promoting, more willing to play organizational politics. But what if the real opportunity lies not in changing your fundamental nature, but in becoming more strategically aware of how to work with your authentic self?
After two decades in organizational life and my own winding journey to leadership, I've learned that sustainable professional growth happens when we honor our natural ways of being while building the skills to navigate complex systems with intention.
This isn't about quick transformation or dramatic personality shifts. It's about cultivating a deeper understanding of yourself, your environment, and the gentle but powerful ways you can create meaningful impact.
Growth is Incremental
Real change happens through consistent, small shifts in awareness and practice—not dramatic overnight transformations.
You're Not Broken
Your thoughtful, reflective nature is a strength. We're not fixing you; we're helping you leverage who you already are.
Systems Have Patterns
Organizations operate according to predictable dynamics. Once you understand these patterns, you can navigate them more skillfully.
Authenticity Creates Sustainability
The most lasting professional success comes from aligning your actions with your values, not from adopting strategies that feel foreign.
The Empowered Professional Framework
A thoughtful, systematic approach to building authentic influence and strategic awareness in your professional life.
Notice & Acknowledge
We begin by developing awareness of your current patterns, strengths, and the systems you navigate daily.
- Mapping your natural communication style
- Identifying your core professional values
- Recognizing current influence patterns
- Understanding organizational dynamics around you
Align & Strategize
Together, we develop strategies that honor your authentic self while building your strategic awareness and influence.
- Creating authentic self-advocacy frameworks
- Building relationship maps and influence networks
- Designing communication approaches that feel natural
- Practicing strategic visibility without performance
Practice & Integrate
We create opportunities to practice these new approaches in low-stakes environments, building confidence gradually.
- Role-playing challenging conversations
- Experimenting with influence strategies
- Reflecting on what works for your unique context
- Adjusting approaches based on real feedback
Sustain & Evolve
We build practices that support ongoing growth and adaptation as your career and context continue to evolve.
- Developing internal feedback systems
- Creating sustainable growth practices
- Building resilience for setbacks
- Maintaining authentic influence over time
What Our Work Together Looks Like
Discovery & Reflection (Months 1-2)
We explore your current situation, aspirations, and the systems you navigate. This isn't about fixing problems—it's about understanding your unique context and building awareness of both opportunities and patterns that may be holding you back.
Strategy & Skill Building (Months 3-4)
Together, we develop personalized approaches to self-advocacy, relationship building, and strategic communication. Everything we create is designed to work with your natural style, not against it.
Practice & Integration (Months 5-6)
You begin implementing these strategies in your daily work life. We meet regularly to reflect on what's working, what feels challenging, and how to adjust your approach based on real-world feedback.
Sustainability & Growth (Ongoing)
As these new approaches become more natural, we focus on building systems for continued growth and adaptation. The goal is for you to become your own trusted advisor for future challenges.
Why This Approach Matters to Me
For too many years, I tried to succeed by becoming someone I wasn't. I attended networking events that felt performative, adopted communication styles that didn't fit, and constantly sought external validation for my worth.
It wasn't until I experienced profound personal loss that I discovered the strength that comes from aligning with who I actually am. This alignment didn't make me less effective—it made me more influential, more resilient, and more fulfilled in my work.
If you're reading this, you might be where I was: competent, hardworking, but somehow not receiving the recognition or opportunities that match your contributions. The path forward isn't about becoming more extroverted or aggressive. It's about becoming more strategically aware while honoring your authentic self.
Ready to Explore This Approach?
Let's have a thoughtful conversation about your current situation and whether this way of working together feels aligned with what you're seeking.
Schedule a Reflection Call