Unlocking Purposeful Career Redesign: Lessons from Helen Hanison

Breakfast Leadership Show

Helen is an award-winning coach and author of the new book Unstuck, which achieved bestseller status on Amazon within days of release. It provides a valuable roadmap for career redesign and overcoming obstacles so people can stop feeling stuck and enjoy more fulfilling, purposeful lives.

The Sun and The London Economics have praised Helen’s book for its “invaluable insights.”

Helen has been a leadership coach for ten years. She is best known for her online course Purposeful Career Redesign and 1:1 coaching program, which helps mid-career and C-suite professionals make meaningful career transformations so that the work they love realigns with everything else that shapes their lives—from what they value most to what they do best.

She has been featured in Forbes, Thought Catalog, Thrive Global, and So She Slays.

To get a sense of Helen, here's an episode she did with the Bossed Up Podcast, where she shares tips for navigating a career reset.

https://www.helenhanisonbook.com/bookoptin
https://career-crossroads.thinkific.com/courses/careering-on-purpose
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2020/02/05/how-to-unpack-your-why/?sh=2456ac375f41
https://thought.is/september-is-the-season-for-getting-unstuck/
https://community.thriveglobal.com/author/helen-hanison/
https://www.sosheslays.com/slay-collabs-blog/the-lightbulb-moment-that-taught-me-to-navigate-career-and-motherhood
https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode216

Summary Economic Growth of the Jungle King of Families Michael expressed appreciation for something Helen did. They discussed the importance of the jungle and families, with Michael suggesting a title "Sconomic Growth of the Jungle King of Families", which Helen corrected. Helen mentioned recently launching her best-selling book "Unstuck" on Amazon, though she was unsure where to place it in the conversation. The discussion focused on Helen's new book and its relevance to the topic. Purpose in Leadership and Corporate Settings Helen and Michael discussed the importance of purpose in both individual and corporate settings. Helen, a leadership coach, emphasized the need for companies to genuinely live their stated values and purpose rather than just paying lip service to them. She also mentioned her work with individuals and companies on purposeful career redesign. Michael suggested their conversation could be a mix of individual and corporate focus. They agreed to keep the discussion organic and planned to share resources and a quiz with Michael's audience. Career Redesign and Reflection During Pandemic Helen and Michael discussed the impact of the pandemic on career choices and the importance of self-reflection in career redesign. Helen noted that the pandemic provided a unique opportunity for professionals to reassess their priorities and understand what was missing in their careers. Michael agreed, suggesting that the pandemic amplified feelings of being stuck and prompted people to reflect on their career goals. Both emphasized the importance of clarity around what one wants and doesn't want to do in their career. They also highlighted the role of coaching in helping individuals align their work with their values and aspirations. Exploring Curiosity and Mentorship in Career Growth Michael and Helen discussed the importance of approaching life and career with a childlike curiosity and no judgment. They emphasized the need for people to give themselves permission to dream and explore different career paths. Helen suggested that following one's curiosity is more beneficial than following one's passion, as passion can shift over time. They also discussed the value of finding mentors and learning from people who have achieved the desired career stage. The conversation concluded that seeking advice from those who have successfully navigated a career path can benefit personal growth and development. Discussing Personal Experiences and Purposeful Career Redesign Michael and Helen discussed the importance of sharing personal experiences and perspectives through writing. Helen shared her journey of writing a book on purposeful career redesign, born out of her need to expand her coaching services during the pandemic. She emphasized the book's focus on actionable steps, with each chapter containing QR codes leading to resources for deeper engagement. The book's formula, Act Aligned Career Redesign Transformation, guides readers through self-awareness, career exploration, and transformation. Michael expressed his appreciation for the book's potential impact on readers' lives. Overcoming Barriers to Career Success Helen and Michael discussed overcoming personal and professional barriers to success. Helen highlighted the need for mindset mastery, positive psychology, and narrative therapy in her book, "Unstuck: A Smart Guide to Purposeful Career Redesign." Michael emphasized the role of coaching and therapy in helping individuals navigate these challenges. They agreed that the book provides a valuable tool for those seeking to improve their careers and overcome feeling stuck. Helen also shared her observations from a radio panel interview, where she noted that many people struggle to acknowledge their career dissatisfaction. Addressing Stagnation and Aligning Values in Organizations Helen and Michael discussed the importance of early recognition of personal and organizational stagnation and the need for redesign and change. They emphasized the significance of aligning individual and corporate values and actions and the potential for synergy and loyalty when this alignment is achieved. Helen also highlighted the disconnect between stated values and actual practices in organizations, which can lead to disengagement and turnover. The conversation underscored the importance of purposeful leadership and active alignment in fostering a healthy and productive work environment. Discussing Helen's Book and Work Collaboration Michael and Helen discussed Helen's recent book and her work. Helen mentioned that her book is available on Amazon and her website, and she encouraged people to connect with her on LinkedIn. Michael expressed his appreciation for Helen's work and mentioned that he would share the links to her resources in the show notes. They also discussed the timing of releasing the book, with Helen suggesting that the launch might shift slightly.