Throughout most of my professional journey, I grappled with a deep sense of sorrow that often accompanied stalled projects and overlooked accomplishments.

At the time, I mistook this feeling for a lack of resilience, making it even more challenging to navigate setbacks. The turning point came in 2006 when I was let go from a high-profile role at CBS. This experience sent me into a downward spiral of depression, self-doubt, and profound regret.

It wasn't until years later that I stumbled upon a concept known as "disenfranchised grief," a term coined by bereavement expert Kenneth Doka. This concept beautifully encapsulates any form of loss that is not openly acknowledged, socially validated or publicly mourned. Losses experienced in the professional realm unquestionably fall under this category. Discussing these losses often carries a stigma, as it can be perceived as unprofessional, indicative of incompetence, or a diminishing of one's value.

My discovery of this form of grief was a transformative moment in my coaching practice. By integrating grief work alongside practical career strategies, I witnessed my clients flourish in new and profound ways.