Haven’s Story: From Loss to Hope and a New Beginning

After a new vice president joined the organization, the director of their department was fired, and Haven was next.

When I saw Haven, they had been let go. For five years, Haven worked hard to build new programs for their organization. The director was supportive, and all was well. But then the executive leadership changed, and Haven’s projects became targets. First, their boss was let go, then Haven. Haven was devastated.

It felt like all was lost. Haven couldn’t see a way forward. The pain was so deep. Obligations like the mortgage and the kids’ college tuition weighed on Haven.

I was Haven’s career coach and they shared with me their loss, their pain, and their fears. Little by little, Haven began to tell me stories about things that mattered. Projects they created, things that went well, and people they cared about. Listening to Haven’s stories and probing for strengths and themes started to have an impact.

A transformation began as Haven clarified their identity and strengths. They were able to reclaim their professional identity, which transcended their job. They realized they were so much more than the lost position.

Haven had been staying away from groups and events. The thought of attending “networking events” left them cold and dry. But, empowered with original stories to tell, Haven began meeting with colleagues one by one. The focus was to build relationships and find a way through. What surprised Haven was how receptive people were. They were willing to meet and listen to Haven’s stories. Each meeting built confidence; people were interested in what Haven had to say. It was inspiring.  Contacts were shared, and introductions were made.

The process took time; there were ups and downs, and some meetings went well, and others didn’t. Yet Haven persevered. There was magic in the stories. Haven kept meeting people, learning about needs and telling stories about how they could help. Potential opportunities began to arise.

Yes, we created a resume. Yes, Haven’s LinkedIn profile was updated. Yes, they monitored “job boards.” But this is not where the action happened.

Haven met with key people who then introduced them to people with the power to make hiring decisions. They met with more people and heard their problems. The decision-makers liked Haven’s stories. In the same week, Haven had three employment offers. After extensive negotiations, a final choice was made.

Haven’s story of recovering from a layoff is an example of the challenging transitions that an individual may go through. Multiple challenges will affect individuals along their career journeys. A mother with two children going through a separation suddenly finds she needs to gain an income to survive. An ex-offender trying to find their way. A freshly graduated college student seeking their first full-time job. We will encounter hundreds of scenarios in our work as career professionals.

To effectively help individuals grow their careers, career coaches must ensure that they have all the elements they need to nourish the growth of their clients.