Sam’s mid-career breakthrough: From uncertainty to leadership
When Sam first got in touch for coaching, she was at a career crossroads. She valued the organisation she worked for, but her role no longer felt like the right fit. She missed leading people, felt too removed from decision-making, and was questioning what kind of contribution she wanted to make next. She had done various leadership courses and development and nothing has felt exactly like what she was after. “I just need some clarity on what to do and where to go”.
Over the course of our coaching, Sam developed a much clearer sense of what mattered to her in her career. She realised she was ready to move into a more senior role – one that gave her greater influence, allowed her to lead others again, and better aligned with her values.
One of our turning points was reframing what it meant to apply for a stretch role. Rather than waiting until everything felt certain, Sam decided to treat it as a way to grow her visibility and test the waters – while staying in a supportive environment. That mindset helped her apply for a senior role internally and while she didn’t get the first one she applied for, the process gave her something else: exposure to two executive leaders, a boost in confidence, and a sense that she had more to offer than she’d been giving herself credit for.
Not long after, she successfully stepped into a new senior leadership role – one she had named early on in coaching as her ideal next step.
“This has been my career goal for like, forever! I still can’t believe it,” she says
This role gave Sam back the sense of purpose and engagement she’d been missing. “I’m extremely satisfied and re-energised in my work again,” she says. “The coaching helped me identify what’s important to me and what I need – and thankfully, I’ve found it.”
Sam now leads a team, reports directly to an executive leader, and has a much closer connection to the decisions that shape the business. She says the biggest shift is not just in her role, but in how she feels: more confident, more aligned, and more in charge of her own direction.
And the impact hasn’t just been personal – it’s been recognised at the highest levels. Two years into the role, Sam and her team were named Team of the Year in her organisation’s annual recognition awards. On top of that, Sam herself received the overall Outstanding Contribution award for the year.
“It’s really proven that the right role and the right fit are so important to job satisfaction, enjoyment, and performance,” she says.
Sam says one of the biggest improvements in her career wellbeing has come from increased confidence.
“I have landed in a role that talks perfectly to my wants, needs and values – it just shows the right role aligned to your values and what is important to you, can build your confidence hugely.”
Since coaching she says she’s also more confident when it comes to setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, backing herself and her career decisions, identifying roles and work environments that are a good fit, and pursuing work that aligns with what matters most to her.
Sam continues to draw on the self-insight she developed during the programme. And she’s made a habit of using the coaching tools in her work, such as the concept of informational interviewing. “It really resonated with me – I’ve since reached out to people across the business to learn from them and keep building my knowledge. It’s expanded my thinking and helped me see what’s possible.”
When asked what she’d say to someone considering coaching, Sam doesn’t hesitate: “I’d encourage you to get 1:1 coaching with Lucy. It was a great experience and has been extremely valuable for me in my career.”