“Authenticity is a privilege. Looking back, younger Sarah did not have the right or the choice to be her most authentic self, not if she wanted to get ahead. It's like you have to play by somebody else's rules to get to a place where then you're in a position to make the rules.” - Sarah Charles
Sarah Charles is our guest this week and together we explore the intertwining journey of authenticity and career transformation, highlighting Sarah's shift from a conservative corporate environment to owning a values-driven financial planning firm that empowers women, inspired by both personal evolution and strategic life design.
Sarah opens up about her bold journey, sharing potent career advice from the book "Quit" by Annie Duke, and how embracing change is crucial for personal growth. You'll hear about her authentic evolution post-merger and her powerful insights on shedding societal pressures to create a workplace on her terms, where she’s not only succeeding but also helping other women build their financial confidence.
I share my personal anecdotes too, drawing parallels to Sarah's experiences and the concept of investing in your "green zone." Together, we explore the nuances of authenticity and the profound impact it can have on both your professional and personal life, especially for women in tech who often face unique challenges.
The biggest thing we can learn from this episode is that embracing authenticity and being open to change are both crucial for personal growth and professional success. Through Sarah's journey, we experience the power of self-discovery, the value of seeking guidance, and the importance of aligning one's career with their values, skills, and passions, as depicted by the Japanese concept of "ikigai."
Additional Resources:
Hot topics from this episode:
- Sarah’s career advice and insight from the books Quit and Designing Your New Life
- Investing in Personal Development and Curiosity with Exploring Career Possibilities and Finding Purpose
- Authenticity in the Workplace, including the mportance of authenticity as a privilege in the context of career growth
- Our personal accounts of hiding and then embracing our true selves
- The concept of "ikigai" and finding a sense of purpose in career growth and life
For more information on how you can build your brave:
What is Build Your Brave Career for Women in Tech?
Build Your Brave Career is for women in tech who are done being overworked, overlooked, and underpaid...and are ready to change it.
If you’re experienced, capable, and tired of working harder without getting what you’ve earned, this podcast shows you how to make the strategic and tactical moves to stress less, work less, and earn more.
With each episode, you’ll learn how to build the skill of bravery so you can advocate for yourself, make smarter career decisions, and create real momentum, without losing yourself or burning out.
Nicole Trick Steinbach is your host. She is a former director who built a global tech career from the ground up, working in over 25 countries, leading large-scale transformational change projects. Nicole is now at home in both the US and Germany.
To learn more about how you can build your brave, connect here:
• Website: https://tricksteinbach.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletricksteinbach