We’ve all had to make big choices in life.  

For some, it’s an easy practice – a simple selection that’s seemingly effortless. 

For others, making choices (and ushering in change) can feel like a forkload of trouble.  

In the current talent landscape, we’ve noticed both employers and employees treading with caution.   

Employees are revaluating what they want in their careers (and whether they even want those careers anymore!). After lockdown, there was a surge in quiet quitters – known in the media as The Great Resignation – as employees realised their dissatisfaction. They believed they could do better elsewhere – and they were often right! 

In 2023, employers are working with diminishing budgets, forced to do more with less. Organisations are slowing down hiring ...but people are still fed up with their employers’ lack of care and acknowledgment! Many employees are still considering whether they need a new job.  

So, how can we navigate our forks in the road? 

How can we make choices that tap into our potential and put our careers first? 

One tried-and-tested retention strategy is coaching.  

Coaching is one way to help address big choices in our careers.   

Have you asked the right questions - or enough questions? 

Are you being persuaded by media noise - or are you listening to your instincts? 

If we aren’t happy, what will make us happy? And can employers help us achieve this?   

In our recent webinar, we spoke with experienced career coaches Angella Clarke-Jervoise and Jo McCatty.  They shared their insights on coaching – and its benefits during times of dissatisfaction or change. 

First-off, what is coaching? And what are the benefits? 

Coaches, like Angella and Jo, help both employees and employers, improving employee experience and reducing staff turnover.   

Though it’s often confused with (career) counselling or mentoring, coaching is uniquely positioned to support in times of decision-making or disruption. 

There is cross over in the three areas, but generally: 

• Counsellors help employees meet the company’s objectives. 
• Mentors are experts in a particular area, giving you advice as needed. 
• Career coaches affirm that you know what you need during career changes, and work with you for a period of time.  

“There’s a lot of different coaches that you can use for different things,” says Jo. 

But, at its core, coaching is all about someone invested in you because you decided to invest in yourself.   

If you want to grow, learn, and build relationships, coaches offer the opportunity to do so. 

“A coach cares about what you decide,” Jo points out. “Where are you at? Why do you exist? It’s nice to evaluate your strengths.” 

For businesses, coaching can be part of a retention strategy and can: 

• Invest in employees as they navigate change 
• Help employees realise their full potential 
• Make work more enjoyable so that employees want to stay  

How can coaches support through a crossroads? 

Think of coaches like a compass. 

They won’t drive you to your destination, but they’ll point you in the right direction.  

One key way to do this is by unpicking your journey so far.  

Yep - they’ll use storytime to steer you toward your goals.  

“We love hearing career journeys,” said both Jo and Angella. “Go back in time and check in with yourself!” 

Taking a trip into the past can help you self-evaluate and discover your priorities - revealing your goals, skills and interests along the way. 

To uncover these gems, coaches may ask questions like: 

• What are your happy career stories? 
• What skills did you use in those moments? 
• And what are your options, based on these observations? 

How coaching herself helped Jo’s trajectory 

When Jo was working for an agency, she knew she’d hit a glass ceiling. 

“I loved it so much there, but I wanted to get to the next stage!” she remembers. “The business didn’t have the readiness to help me.” 

To find her way through, she started asking herself some key questions. What was she good at? Where did she want to end up? What kind of role would meet her interests? 

“I thought about it and I decided to join a headhunting firm from the ground up,” she said. 

“I started off as a researcher and I really loved it! Then I progressed to senior researcher, then head of research... I utilised my experience in recruitment and went ‘right, what else can I use it for?’ 

‘Start thinking about the intersectionality between what your skills and interests are and what role options are out there!” 

How Angella coaches others - and change lives! 

Some of Angella’s favourite stories have involved coming alongside people at their lowest point. 

Two of her favourite memories included men who had suddenly found themselves made redundant suddenly after huge successes. 

“[They] had no idea how to go and get a job,” she recalls. “One had been headhunted his whole career and had no idea how to network!” 

But it was one case of burnout that has stuck in her mind. 

“At the end of last year, I coached someday who was recovering from a serious case of burnout,” she said. “Her job had been downgraded to help her recover.” 

“Together, we looked at crafting her next role, so she could come back to work, thrive and feel valued!” 

For both Angella and Jo, and coaches everywhere, it’s about self-reflection, and discovering values and strengths.  

“There are so many different circumstances,” says Angella. “It could be somebody who's unemployed trying to find a job, and we’ll talk about the mechanics of finding work. Or it might be someone who has been a high performer all their career and they’re just not happy anymore! Often, the more senior people I work with find it harder to be happy. People think they’re the pinnacle of success, but they’re just counting down the days until retirement.” 

Any point of change – or moment of dissatisfaction - is an opportunity to stop, think, and solve challenges.   

“it depends on the individual and where they’re at,” says Angella, “but it’s all about self-reflection, understanding your career values, embracing your strengths and knowing how you can have an impact on others.” 

“It’s a joy to help people go on this journey of discovery!” 

Final tips for forks in the road 

Every situation is different, but our experts were ready with some top tips for anyone facing a time of decision. 

Jo pointed out that coaching is based on positive psychology, and encourages clients to consider the following kinds of questions: 

• What challenges are you currently facing? 
• What can you control?  
• What do you want to focus on in life at the moment? 
• Is your current situation self-curated or curated by someone else? 

 Overall, both coaches recommend taking the time to reflect.  

“Don’t just push through issues,” says Jo.  “Your coaching time could be a venting session, an opportunity to workshop challenges, and find an approach by fleshing it out!”  

She reminded us that it’s important to stop and think when facing challenges. 

“When you’re faced with a challenge, take a moment to work out what the challenge is and come up with a strategy or approach to get to the next stage,” says Jo. “Having a career coach will nudge you there!” 

She recommends paying attention to how you focus your time. 

“Pause, and start by saying: 

• ‘I’m capable,’ 
• ‘I’m going to get there,’ 
• ‘I’m going to get that career coach to help me’ 

Where you’re focusing your time is where you are going to move forwards.” 

We’re here for you through the forks! 

We get it. Forks aren’t always fun. 

But they don’t have to be something to fear. 

If you’re faced with a challenge right now, book in some time with a career coach. And if you’re looking to support others through their decision-making, watch our webinar for the full recap -  including a detailed Q&A! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA6sc_NZyHo&t=114s