I received an email this week from a very successful senior vice president from the west coast in healthcare. “We exchanged emails a couple of months ago. I need some inspiration and wondered if you would have a few minutes for a phone call, maybe during your airport time or whatever is convenient. Please let me know if you can fit something in.”
Have you ever received a call for help and ignored it, were too busy or asked yourself – why me? Luckily, I wasn’t traveling and had a week at home catching up from a busy July and preparing for a whirlwind September. We scheduled a time to talk, and for an hour this successful executive poured out their heart and soul.
They were fired a few months ago, or “let go”, (I like to soften the F word), from their senior level executive position. They doubted themselves; they were deflated, wounded, and tentative, left with no confidence to move forward like an executive should. As I listened to their story, I could relate to everything they experienced.
“Pam, I need to hear your story, what did you experience, how did you handle this, how did you get where you’re at now?” I told my story, (the cliff note version) it was very similar but corporate, and my story was public. After an hour, I snapped into Coach mode. I said, “you must be resilient, believe in yourself and don’t let anyone ever take away what you’ve accomplished. There was a reason you were sitting in that chair and don’t forget it. We talked about one’s mindset, new leadership, it’s not about you and get back out there and fight!”
After a lengthy Pep Talk and a dose of inspiration, I said there is another opportunity out there that is even better. Stay visible and relevant and carry yourself like an executive. You got this!
There are so many people that go through adversity professionally that it’s more common than not. It’s how we handle adversity. Adversity made me better, tougher, stronger and it’s taken me to another level as a leader and Coach. Adversity opened doors that I never knew existed. The same can happen for you too…with a little inspiration and a Pep Talk!
