The Career Thread You Didn’t Know You Were Weaving

October 7, 2025

A couple of weeks ago, I spent five days supporting One of Many, the organisation where I first trained as a coach. This time, I returned in a new role, as a trainer-in-training, learning how to deliver their certified women’s leadership coaching.

It was powerful. Not just for the coaching tools being learned, but for the deep personal transformation taking place in the room. I know these tools change lives, they changed mine. But with a full coaching practice, client work, and book #2 underway… why take on more?

“You can’t connect the dots looking forwards; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” – Steve Jobs

When we look back, it’s often easier to see the thread:

  • The early role that felt unrelated but built your resilience
  • The academic path that gave you credibility
  • The challenge that reshaped your leadership voice

But what if you didn’t have to wait for hindsight? What if you could connect the dots now, on purpose? That’s exactly what I did when I said yes to this opportunity, using my own Define Your Purpose tool to zoom out, reflect, and align the decision with my wider mission. It’s also what Lisa Kerr, PhD did inside the Career Design Mastermind.

From “Logical Next Step” to Leadership by Design

Lisa didn’t set out to become Senior Director of Patient Engagement at Evinova. Like many high-achieving women in STEM, she followed the sensible route: pursuing impact, purpose, and professional growth.

But in her recent Women in STEM Career & Confidence podcast episode, she shares something deeper. Not a linear career ladder, but a career story intentionally woven from experience, values, and voice.

🔗 Listen to Lisa’s story iTunes | Spotify

Three Shifts That Changed Everything for Lisa

1. Visibility is Not Vanity – It’s Leverage

Lisa began posting on LinkedIn, not to perform, but to contribute. She shared insights on patient engagement, reflected on leadership, and showed up with authenticity. This created visibility for her expertise and unlocked new opportunities that job boards never could.

As Adam Grant says:

“The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.”

Lisa’s visibility wasn’t about self-promotion. It was about adding value routed in wanting to see real and impactful change in the sector, and that’s what made it so effective.

2. You Don’t Have to Work It Out Alone

Lisa didn’t need more motivation. She needed structured space to pause, reflect, and be challenged.

Inside the Career Design Mastermind, she found both frameworks and a coach (yes, me!) who asked the uncomfortable questions to help her get out of her own way. All held within a space of trust, empathy, and growth.

3. Your Story is Your Strategy

When Lisa joined the dots across her career; the experiences, the values, the patterns, a clear leadership identity emerged. One that felt deeply authentic and aligned.

That story didn’t just land better with others. It made her decisions easier and more confident. That’s the power of coherence.

☕ Reflective Journal Prompts

  • Where have I dismissed an experience that could actually be part of my leadership story?
  • What story am I currently telling myself about my career, and is it empowering or limiting
  • What would become possible if I stopped editing my story for others, and started owning it fully?

Whether you’re feeling stuck, craving clarity, or ready to lead with more purpose, you don’t need to wait for hindsight. You can start shaping your career story now, with intention.

Keep opening up,

Hannah

P.S. Inspired by Lisa’s story?

Here are four ways I can help you reconnect with your career clarity and confidence:

P.P.S. 🎤 Now booking keynotes, workshops, and events for 2026. Let’s change the conversation on leadership where you work.

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