Yes. Even the most senior executives in this world experience, and deeply feel, grief and loss. Unfortunately, many wind up hiding their grief while caught up in taking care of everyone and everything else.
Last month, when I announced I was officially opening my coaching business, friends and family assumed it would be a traditional executive coaching business, since that is my traditional, corporate background. But that is just a small part of what makes up my larger life experience.
You see, in 2021 I left my 25-year role in corporate America to pursue a passion, and – quite frankly – to fill a gap I experienced personally in the world.
When my son, Connor, passed away in 2011 I was in the midst of a steep upward trajectory in my corporate career, leading large teams and an even larger initiative. That world came to a grinding halt, for a time, the morning of January 26, 2011. For several weeks, my family and I were given the grace to grieve both publicly and privately, surrounded by friends, family, grief counselors, therapists, and support groups.
However, by the middle of February, I was desperately needed back at work. The world had continued to turn, initiatives moved forward, and I had hundreds of people waiting on me for my leadership and direction. I knew I had to return to work.
While the grief resources were plentiful, I found there was no guidance, playbook, resource, or “Sherpa” to guide me through the minefield of returning to the office and to leadership as a bereaved, still deeply grieving, executive. Over the years I “figured it out,” often stumbling as I went. Organically, other bereaved executives and I found our way to each other, and we created our own quiet community. That community continues to be a safe place for many of us to convene. We were the lucky ones who found a community.
That is why my coaching practice, while it does still have an executive coaching arm, overtly caters to leaders and executives who are walking their own grief journey no matter how new and raw, or constant and familiar it might be. Grief has no schedule. I am here to navigate that path with them, help anticipate the triggers, set boundaries, redefine who they are as a human and a leader, while honoring their grief.
If you are currently on this journey, you are not alone.
