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Shift Happens

Shift Happens

by Christine M. Riordan, Ph.D.

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    Think of a time when there was a significant change in your work situation.

    Describe the following:

    1. What was your job at the time of the change?
    2. What changed or shifted in your work environment or in your life?
    3. How did you respond to the change? What did you think? How did you feel?
    4. What did the change mean for you in terms of your work? Were there new demands on you?
    5. What happened? Did you adapt? Try to change the situation? Leave?
    6. How successful were you? Did you get the results you wanted?
    7. What lessons did you learn?
    8. May we use your story in our book or in our resource guides if appropriate?

    The Entrepreneur-Founder’s Story

    Noam Wasserman studied hundreds of entrepreneurs and found “that by the time the ventures were three years old, 50% of founders were no longer the CEO; in year four, only 40% were still in the corner office; and fewer than 25% led their companies’ initial public offerings. He also found that founders don’t let go… Read more “The Entrepreneur-Founder’s Story”

    The Entrepreneur-Founder

    Kathy’s Story

    Kathy was a full-time housewife dabbling in her art after a career at IBM. She was a college graduate with a major in art design. In 2000, at the age of 42, her husband had a cerebral hemorrhage.  He could not work, and Kathy became the sole money earner through her art.  She redesigned herself… Read more “Kathy’s Story”

    Kathy, mid-forties
    Experienced personal crisis

    Molly’s Story

    Molly’s boss had recently given her some added responsibility with higher leadership expectations in the organization. In her mid-twenties, Molly was excited to have been given more responsibility, she was proud her boss saw her potential and she was enjoying her new role. Then her boss left for a new company. While Molly waited for… Read more “Molly’s Story”

    Molly, mid-twenties professional

    Dan’s Story

    After working in various positions for ten years in the retail industry in the Northeast, Dan was excited that he had landed the hot job as Director of Customer Relations for a large, major national brand company in the Mid-west. Dan thought to himself- I’ve got this! At 32, he was excited for this big… Read more “Dan’s Story”

    Dan, early thirties professional
    Took a higher job with a new company

    Barbara’s Story

    The sun was starting to set, and shadows were growing across her office. As Barbara sat there surrounded by boxes, she let out a huge sigh. She had spent the last few days going through everything in her office. Barbara thought to herself – I can’t believe this is my last day.  She had one… Read more “Barbara’s Story”

    Barbara, late fifties professional
    Experienced forced retirement

    John’s Story

    John’s Story (Mid-fifties executive; took VP position and struggled with new demands, new team, and new company) John recently accepted a new position in a new company. At 56, the position was really attractive: it had a vice-president level title, significant responsibility, and the pay was great. Plus, he would have four weeks of vacation… Read more “John’s Story”

    John, Mid-fifties executive
    Took VP position and struggled with new demands, new team, and new company

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