Sally Clarke

Develop your skills of emotional wisdom: as a young professional it can be tempting to thwart all emotions and try to keep these out of the workplace. However, we are emotional beings, so understanding and being able to regulate your emotions through practices of self-awareness and self-compassion are key to avoiding 'limbic hijack', staying grounded and being able to navigate a conflict situation from a mature and intentional place.

Consider how important this conversation likely is to the person you are evaluating and treat it accordingly. Ensure you’re in the virtual meeting ahead of time and ready to share screens / tabs, and that all other tools are working and ready to go. Run through the intended course of the conversation in advance to optimize flow. By preparing well and setting up thoughtfully, you can be fully present for the conversation itself, fostering connection and improving your ability to listen and guide the conversation optimally.

A helpful starting point is to let go of the need to see 'life' and 'work' as separate concepts to be balanced. Instead, view work as a foundational aspect of a fulfilling life that works in harmony with other aspects of how you derive meaning and self-identity. To this end, doing the work of knowing yourself deeply is an excellent starting point. What are your values and priorities? How do you want your life to look and feel? By becoming clear on these factors, and making decisions that align with your authentic self, you inherently empower others to do the same, leading by example as you go.

When you need to make big decisions fast, it’s essential to ensure that your wellbeing is optimal. Prioritize sleep and rest. Take a break and go for a walk while you’re on a call. Don’t skip the gym. Ensure you’re eating well and laughing often. Have a regular breathing or meditation practice to regulate your nervous system. This sets you up to hold complex ideas simultaneously, synthesize information effectively and ultimately make great decisions.

Get really clear on why you’re shifting career trajectory. What are you missing in your current field? Is this really about the entire field or just your current organization? Is your network transferable or will you have to start from scratch? How can you ensure a smooth shift to mitigate financial stress and imposter syndrome? If you are simply looking for a change of scenery or more growth opportunities, for example, explore if there are other ways of achieving these outcomes without making a huge leap. All of this is best explored with professional guidance — a therapist or career coach can prove essential to healthy decision making.

Reflect on your motivation — specifically, are your networking attempts coming from a place of authenticity? Do people perceive you as reaching out to connect and collaborate, or is there a transactionality to your approach? Meaningful networking happens when you are clear on what you offer and you genuinely listen to people’s needs, and when your message is authentic. If not? Take time to build your personal brand more clearly and reflect on your core values and current priorities. The more authentic you are, the less effort it takes to connect with the right people in the right way.