Coaching Helped Me Prepare For And Cope With A Redundancy
This is a guest post by one of my clients, Madhur Phadnis. It’s a refreshingly honest take on what coaching is and what it has done for her professional path.
Madhur is a consumer marketing professional with experience ranging from acquisition to retention marketing (across APAC markets), coupled with a strong understanding of analytics, She has worked for brands like Time Asia (Hong Kong), Nick India (Viacom 18 media), Reader's Digest and Times Group. She is adept at blending traditional, digital and innovative platforms and has developed marketing strategies and delivered campaigns across print, television (TV), digital, events, radio and PR.
In our coaching sessions, I found her open-minded, receptive to ideas and willing to put in the work required to succeed, She is currently based in Hong Kong and is looking for consumer and brand marketing positions. I am sure she will be great at any role she wishes to take up.
Occasionally, we need clarification about our professional lives. Do I need to look for a new job? Am I happy with the way it's going? Should I invest more time in other interest areas?
If the questions are persistent enough, we may seek help, but more often than not, we get swept up in everyday activities and hesitate to reach out. I’m here to offer you some advice based on my experience – don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A career coach can help you set goals, chart the right career path for you and find the clarity that you didn’t even realise you were missing.
Why I Decide To Approach A Career Coach
My journey with a career coach began in September 2022. I wasn’t sure where my career was headed and I got in touch with someone I had briefly worked with. She mentioned Nerice and her work and I decided to reach out. At that time, my goal was to determine how to advance professionally and help me gain clarity on alternative professions.
I have to admit, I was rather sceptical at first. Nerice clearly explained that coaching isn’t magic and would require me to put in consistent effort (to quote her - “You get from coaching what you put into it.”) And yet, I was expecting instant results. After the first session, I realised this wouldn’t be the case and I briefly wondered if I was putting my money down the drain.
Before my second session, I got the news about my company's change in direction. This meant I wouldn't have a job in the next two and a half months. I was not expecting this at all! I had just stepped back into the workforce after taking a parenting break. I rescheduled my session with Nerice for a later date to regroup myself. Once the shock wore off, I approached the following sessions with Nerice in a structured manner. We decided what I wanted to achieve in each session and took it from there. This approach helped me narrow down my areas of improvement and areas that needed more clarity.
Nerice helped me self-evaluate by asking questions that never crossed my mind. When I wanted to know my aptitude for a different profession, she helped me with a tailored test. She was patient, offered guidance for interviews, and evaluated my profile. She was easy to talk to and ensured the sessions made a difference. Before each session, we set 'desired outcomes'; these were evaluated post-session.
What I Gained From Career Coaching (That I Wouldn’t Have Got Organically)
So how has this helped me? When you have a coach (who doesn't know you at all), you don't know what kind of questions will come your way. I had to face some questions that I wouldn't have asked myself normally. But facing these problematic questions makes a world of difference. It helps you with self-awareness, goal-setting, resilience and so much more.
I am still a work in progress, but having more clarity about my strengths and values has certainly helped my job search and my personal life. I am working on creating a structured plan for my professional life. What I have also found is that coaching has given me the peace and equanimity to face redundancy. I am more comfortable with being in between jobs, am more accepting of things I can't control and have learnt to be there for myself more. I do believe that this would never have been possible if I hadn’t reached out to Nerice in the first place.
People are shy to ask for help. Talking to a career coach is a good idea if you need clarity on professional growth, guidance on a career change, or require self-evaluation. Find a coach who you can connect with; ask for a trial session to test the waters. Reach out; it may help you grow. And you might find yourself better equipped for career and life changes that are often out of your control.