Woven Careers, Expanding Futures

Life rarely moves in straight lines. Neither do careers. We take two steps forward, one to the side, maybe even backtrack—but every move adds to the story. It’s like weaving a tapestry. Each thread might not seem significant on its own, but together, they form a picture rich with experience and color.

I didn’t always see it that way. A few years ago, I was shifted into a role that, on paper, seemed like an exciting opportunity. But it didn’t take long to realize it wasn’t the right fit for me. The work didn’t align with my interests, the environment didn’t match the way I liked to work, and my goals didn’t feel connected to what the organization needed from me.

It was a wake-up call. I’d spent years thinking that my career progression would be straightforward and intuitive—that with enough hard work and the right opportunities, the pieces would fall into place. But this experience forced me to pause and ask some hard questions. What was I truly interested in? Where could I make the most impact? What kind of environment would allow me to thrive?

Finding the Work That Fits

The first step was taking inventory of my past experiences and reframing them in a way that made sense for my future. I had to dig deep into the skills and capabilities I’d picked up along the way—mentorship, program development, marketing strategy, storytelling—and think about how they could be applied in new contexts.

It started small. I began helping people with marketing projects and ghostwriting. I offered mentorship and advice to colleagues who were figuring out their own next steps. I found opportunities to develop programs and help people connect ideas with action. Each of these steps allowed me to experiment, to test where my interests and skills aligned, and to see where I could provide the most value.

Through this process, I realized that finding fulfilling work isn’t about landing the perfect role. It’s about crafting a narrative that connects your past to your future, and about being intentional in creating alignment between your values, your skills, and the needs of the world.

Opportunities in the Chaos

Although I hadn’t lost my job, the shift into an ill-fitting role created a sense of disorientation. It felt like the career path I’d been on had suddenly been rerouted, and I wasn’t sure where it would lead. But this disruption also opened up new opportunities.

I began to look beyond the constraints of a job title and think about the problems I could solve, both inside and outside of the organization. I started asking questions: What could I contribute that no one else could? How could I create value in ways that felt authentic to me?

The answers didn’t always come easily, but they helped me see opportunities where I might not have looked before. I leaned into what I already knew—helping others navigate their challenges, offering my perspective, and finding ways to connect people and ideas. These small acts of creation and contribution led to bigger projects and new directions, and they reignited a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in a while.

Networks, Not Ladders

In my previous mindset, success had meant climbing the corporate ladder—taking on roles with more responsibility, bigger teams, and greater challenges. But as I navigated this transition, I realized the future of work isn’t about reaching the top of a hierarchy. It’s about building networks.

The projects I started during this time weren’t just opportunities to contribute; they were opportunities to connect. I built relationships with people who valued my input and shared my goals. These collaborations were built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared desire to create something meaningful.

I began to see my career not as a linear climb but as a web of connections. Instead of being tied to a single role or organization, I found fulfillment in contributing across teams, projects, and partnerships. This shift wasn’t just liberating—it was transformative.

Designing Work Your Way

One of the most important lessons I learned was the value of designing work that fits your needs, rather than forcing yourself to fit into a role. During this time, I began experimenting with ways to structure my work so it aligned with my strengths and preferences.

For me, this meant taking on more project-based work, where I could focus on solving specific problems and creating tangible outcomes. It also meant seeking out opportunities that allowed me to collaborate with others in ways that felt energizing, rather than draining.

I realized that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to work. Some people thrive in traditional office environments, while others find their best ideas emerge in the quiet of a home office. The key is knowing what works for you—and being willing to adapt as your needs and priorities evolve.

Learning in Small Bites

To navigate this transition, I leaned into microlearning. I didn’t need to enroll in a formal degree program or commit to years of training. Instead, I focused on small, actionable steps: a podcast here, an online course there, a quick conversation with a mentor.

This approach allowed me to stay agile, picking up the skills I needed in real time without feeling overwhelmed. Over time, these small steps added up. I found myself better equipped to tackle challenges and more confident in my ability to create value.

Leadership Through Creation

As I stepped into roles and projects that aligned more closely with my goals, I discovered a new kind of leadership. It wasn’t about managing teams or overseeing processes. It was about creating—whether that meant building a program, telling a story, or helping someone else see the possibilities ahead of them.

Leadership, I realized, isn’t tied to a title. It’s tied to impact. And the best leaders are those who see opportunities where others see obstacles and who bring people together to create something new.

Adding Color to Your Tapestry

Looking back, being shifted into a role that wasn’t the right fit was one of the most pivotal moments in my career. It forced me to rethink, reframe, and rebuild. And while the process wasn’t easy, it led to a richer, more fulfilling tapestry of experiences than I could have imagined.

Your career, like your life, is a story that’s always evolving. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to come along. Start weaving with what you have. Trust that over time, the picture will emerge—and it will be more vibrant and meaningful than you ever expected.