Observations from the call

L talked about enjoying the work, but she was struggling with the direction of the company. She wanted to work for a company with purpose, so that she could get some self-fulfilment from working there. She also wanted to work somewhere that respects her and that she respects back. She was clear it's not about the money.

I called the first bomb: companies are there to make money, even not-for-profits and charities. If she was looking for fulfilment from a company, she was looking in the wrong place.

Next challenge to her: it appeared she starts roles with good intentions and gets that dopamine rush. Then the mundane reality of business sets in and she gets bored. She starts criticising and judging coworkers and the company. She finds fault to give herself a moral reason to leave. The narrative is 'they weren't good enough', not 'she quit'.

My underlying observation was that she was running. She needed to figure out what she was running from. My read is she's running from the terror of being ordinary.

If she wants to change the world, that has to happen outside work. A job is a trade: her skills for their money. It's not something that owes her meaning.

What changed

She said she'd sit with the conversation and appreciated the insights.

It's not easy to face some of that stuff, no matter how nicely it's put across. There were a lot of home truths brought up, but I firmly believe that once the dark is brought into the light, you can move forward.

It was a tough call. That's why I say this isn't for everyone.