Madi joined the Great Resignation in September last year, leaving a company she had been with for almost a decade. This was the first big pause for Madi since completing her undergraduate degree, so it was important to decompress and reflect before moving to next steps. In our work together the most important shift was from ‘what can I do?’ to ‘what do I want?’
Finding joy
As always, we started with what was important to Madi. Madi wanted more fun and joy in her life, both of which are personified by her puppy, Party. But could you ask for joy in a job? Absolutely! A job may be hard work and demanding but if there is no joy, it quickly becomes a source of burnout.
For Madi, joy is found in connection, collaboration, variety, freedom and working towards a common goal. It also comes from creative pursuits outside work. Our work allowed Madi to acknowledge this as a priority, resulting in her signing up to a woodwork course in addition to focusing on her professional work.
Playing to our strengths
We also identified Madi’s key areas of interest as stakeholder management and problem solving. But what if Madi hadn’t solved problems to the level expected? Rather than giving power to the inner critic, we worked on assessing roles from the angle of ‘what problem needs to be solved here and does it interest me?’
Soon Madi was networking and receiving offers for contract work from employers who, recognising the value she’d bring to any organisation, were willing to give her the time off she wanted to complete her woodwork course. Madi also identified a longer-term opportunity she wanted to work towards within an education academy set to launch in early 2022.
Being valued
After taking time off to travel at the end of the year, Madi started as Senior Strategy and Engagement Officer at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. The Academy launched in January 2022 and Madi is now working with a wonderful, considerate team in one of the most stunning buildings in Melbourne. Madi also completed her woodwork course, and her beautiful shelves are now firmly attached to the wall.