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Career Change v. Pivot

career direction tips Oct 14, 2022

by Danielle Roessle, LCSW, GCDFI, CCSP, Founder of Inner Compass Coach

Yah 🎊 ! My episode with Confessions of a Sales Pro, The Ian Selbie Podcast, has just been released!

I love that I was able to speak with Ian about something that is near and dear to me, which is how to determine if you should make a career change (a complete career transformation) v. a pivot (an intentional shift in your current career).

While Ian markets his podcast for sales professionals, I think this topic could speak to almost anyone who is considering some type of career change, so please listen if you're trying to determine if you should change or pivot your career.

Typically, when I speak with a potential client who needs to make a career change, they say something like, "I've in my career for years and I don't like it." OR, "I'm okay at my job, but not great at it."

The reason I know this type of client needs to make a career change is because these statements indicate they are not using their Driving Talents in their career.

A Driving Talent is a something that you've been doing since childhood, that comes to you naturally, that motivates you to your core. Some examples of Driving Talents are teaching, connecting, persuading, strategizing, listening, and analyzing. For example, if your Driving Talent is for connecting others, you probably were a natural connector of your friends even as a child.

If a potential client is not doing what comes naturally to them and motivates them, the outcome will be that they don't like their career and/or they are good at it. 

When I talk to a potential client who more likely will make a career pivot, they'll say something like, "I'm bored in my job." OR "Something is missing, but I can't put my finger on it."

The reason I know this type of client needs to make a career pivot is because their statement shows that they are no longer growing in their career and that one of their Driving Talents might be under-used.

For example, a sales representative who hasn't been able to use their Driving Talent for strategy might want to pivot into business development to use it more.

So if you're unsure if you should change career entirely, ask yourself, "Am I using my Driving Talents in my career?"

If not, it's probably time to make a complete career change. If so, but one of your Driving Talents is being under used, it's probably time to pivot. 

Please check out the podcast below using the link in the comments. I get to go deeper into this topic and explore how our childhood memories can give us insights into our Driving Talents and what motivates us deeply.

You've got this!

Danielle

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