My career has been marked by multiple role changes, some more significant than others. Are we ever truly ready to welcome such change? A change like this is, in essence, a departure from a group and a network. Leaving means leaving behind a part of your story, and these moments of rupture are not easy to accept or to live through. Most of the time, they come with mixed feelings. It’s hard to say goodbye.
Handling doubt
When decisions are tough, doubts can creep in: « Am I going to succeed? » or « Maybe my current job isn’t so bad after all. » The pressure of not having a job anymore can be overwhelming, and the fear of not finding another one is real.
I went through all these feelings in my life. And we are not so willing to share openly such aspects of the change. I found myself alone when I was navigating such a time of my life, and because sharing is healing, writing these lines helped me a ton in putting words to these experiences, 2024 was a transformational year in my life; I have to say goodbye to many people, assisting few of them in these transitions. All these discussions made me grow a lot, and now it’s time to give back and share with others.
In this article I am exploring three different phases of this career change.
Accept the change
The origin of this change may have been desired or imposed. If the decision was chosen, it doesn’t imply that when you will be leaving your current position, you may not feel sadness. And it’s okay. It means that you have developed strong bonds with your colleagues. And this network of relations is an element that stabilizes your life. I am exploring this facet of career change in the article “From Letting Go to Moving On: A Manager’s Perspective on Career Transitions”.
Manage transition
During the next phase of this transition, as you separate from your former position, you will experience a rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve experienced many changes in my career, and I’ve recently discovered the importance of emotions in navigating these times. Fear and sadness, as well as joy and excitement, will accompany you on this journey. I will share some of this experience through the article “Embracing Change: Navigating the Emotional Journey of Career Transitions”.
Start the new job
As you start your new job, how can you succeed in this next step? I made several career shifts in my life, changing companies, country, roles and business segments. All these changes were new challenges: how can we succeed in doing such changes? I will share some of my experiences in the article “Navigating New Roles: Embrace Change and Thrive in Your Career Transition”.
Question: How do you balance the sadness of leaving a job with the excitement of new opportunities?
🛠️ Three simple actions to help you through this transition
Name what you’re experiencing to reduce the emotional load
Take 10 minutes a day to write down what you’re feeling: doubt, fear, sadness, excitement.
Putting words to your experience helps soothe, clarify, and regain a sense of control.
Identify the origin of the change and clarify your intentions by asking yourself three key questions:
Is this change chosen or imposed?
What am I really leaving behind? (a role, a team, an identity)
What am I hoping to find or build?
Share what you’re going through with someone you trust
Sharing, even briefly, helps lighten the load and normalize what you’re experiencing.
It can be a friend or a colleague. The goal is simply to be heard.
👉 These three simple actions strengthen your leadership posture and unlock your potential.
Coaching or Mentoring: Your Choice, Your Growth
I’m Franck Dervault, drawing on years of professional experience and now advancing toward certification as a coach. I offer two distinct paths:
- Coaching to help you unlock your own potential through reflection, presence, and guided discovery.
- Mentoring to share lessons, strategies, and insights from my career so you can navigate challenges with confidence.
Whichever path you choose, my goal is the same: to help you realize that you are wiser than you think, with immense potential waiting to be unlocked.
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