By James Pierce
For executives, embarking on a career transition can often feel like entering uncharted territory. Throughout my career, I’ve dedicated time to helping guide others through their transitions.
After a rewarding thirty-year tenure with a remarkable organization, I found myself navigating my own transition. Fortunately for me, I joined another outstanding company, yet within two years, I faced another transition.
A Guide to Navigate Career Transitions
My wife, who also happens to be a career coach, suggested that I might benefit from some guidance while I sorted out what was next. In her wisdom, she knew it needed to be someone other than she! Her suggestion was Navigate Forward.
Navigate Forward’s tailored approach not only clarified my professional aspirations, but also aligned them with my personal values
Navigate Forward, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers comprehensive career development services tailored to executives and senior leaders. Their services include career transition support, career coaching, and leadership development programs. The firm assists clients in navigating career changes, enhancing their leadership skills, and achieving their professional goals with personalized and strategic guidance. By offering one-on-one career counseling and leveraging a wide range of resources, Navigate Forward ensures that individuals are well-prepared to advance and succeed.
A Personalized Approach to Career Development
What sets Navigate Forward apart is their personalized approach to career development. When I began, I was confident I knew my direction. I assumed we would start by refreshing my resume, updating my executive briefing, and perhaps tidying up my LinkedIn profile.
While we did eventually address those tasks, we began with something far more valuable: understanding me. My coach took the time to ask what I enjoy in life, what brings me joy, and what I excel at. We discussed which past roles I loved and why they were enjoyable. We explored the most rewarding experiences of my career and those that were not. There were smart questions, none directly about a new job.
My Journey to Aligning Passion and Purpose
Going through this process eventually led me to the realization that I really wanted to go to an organization where I felt more directly connected to making a difference for people. I thought that could be any organization, but through their discovery process I learned that for me it was about being with a small nonprofit whose mission was bettering the lives of individuals.
The insights gained through Navigate Forward have been invaluable. They’ve been a transformative partner in my career journey.
I would have never come to that realization without methodically going through the Navigate Forward process. During this time, I interviewed for other roles, but in hindsight, I now realize that my motivation for those roles was not what was driving my personal and professional satisfaction.
‘Invaluable Insights’ and ‘Newfound Confidence’
Reflecting on my journey, the insights gained through Navigate Forward have been invaluable. The tailored approach not only clarified my professional aspirations but also aligned them with my personal values. With newfound clarity and confidence, I am now poised to pursue opportunities that truly resonate with my passion for making a meaningful impact.
Navigate Forward has been more than a career coaching service; they have been a transformative partner in my journey, empowering me to step boldly into a future where I can thrive both personally and professionally.
About James Pierce
James currently serves as the Chief Information Officer at Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI), a plastic manufacturing company dedicated to creating job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Beyond his role at MDI, James is an active City Council member in Edina, Minnesota, and board member with NEON, Breakthrough T1D, and MinnWest Bank.
