Case study: Coaching after a layoff
My conversations with D. started when he found himself at a professional crossroads—weighing whether to continue along a traditionally successful corporate path or explore an entrepreneurial venture that aligns with his passions.
After a few conversations, before we officially agreed to work together, D. received unexpected news that he was being laid off from his corporate job. He saw it as “the universe’s catalyst” to reinvent himself, and he signed on for coaching.
D. is one of the most meticulous, efficient people I know. As a former director at several large technology companies, he was known as a high-performer, no-nonsense communicator, and impeccable dresser.
When we began our coaching engagement, I expected it to unfold in the manner of focused agendas, detailed action plans, and robust status reports.
I learned quickly to drop expectations.
More being, less doing
D. did bring agendas to our sessions, take actions in his life, and report his status to me—but not in the way either of us anticipated.
Our time together unfolded organically, consisting mainly of D.’s observations of himself in this moment of professional pause.
After some initial self-criticism around not taking “enough” action on “big” things, D. allowed himself to put more attention on how he was being than on what he was doing.
Our sessions became a dedicated space for D. to reflect on how he was using the learnings from coaching to show up differently in his life. Here are some of the things that came up:
He acknowledged his tendency toward reactivity.
He caught himself in limiting beliefs.
He shifted his relationships by changing his thoughts about those relationships.
He reframed “problems” as signals that something wants to change.
He stopped judging himself so harshly.
Unconsciously, D. would often label these internal shifts as “small things.” To which I’d suggest: What if the small things are the big things?
There’s a season for everything
D. also took external action:
He prioritized time in nature.
He perfected the landscaping in his yard
He traveled to help his family during a hurricane.
He cut back on drinking alcohol.
He reached out to friends.
He read books.
He defined his ideal day.
He researched business ideas.
He made progress on a remodeling project.
He told people (with confidence and ease) he was enjoying a “mini retirement.”
When D. and I first started working together, none of these actions were the ones he anticipated taking to find clarity on his next professional act.
And yet, they were exactly the ones he needed to take.
These were the next right actions for D. at this moment in his life. They were the actions that allowed him to honor the space between “no longer” and “not yet.”
Reinventing from the inside out
With greater clarity on what he wants to create in his life, D. is tackling the next phase of his reinvention independently.
D. and I explored several potential business ideas that he’s excited about. He feels ready to take direct action on moving some of them forward.
From my perspective, by the end of our time together D. felt like a different energetic being. His body language, speaking cadence, and overall demeanor felt calmer and more relaxed. He smiled more.
I reflected this to him in our closing session. He agreed, acknowledging that a lightness of being had taken hold of his body and mind, giving him the perspective he needs to bring his new vision to life.
