The 10 Empowering Lessons Acceptance Brought That Transformed My Leadership Journey [Pt 2]

In part 1 of my post, I candidly shared what it felt like to undergo an unexpected career change after 12.5 years in a role that had become central to my identity. I recounted the experience of being informed of my redundancy, the mix of emotions that followed, the quiet moments of reflection, and finally arriving at a place of embracing acceptance of what had happened that ultimately helped me begin to embrace the important learnings of the experience.

In this post, I share the biggest lessons learned as a result, which helped mark the end of one chapter and the start of a new one.

Lessons Learned

As difficult as my experience was, it taught me some of the most invaluable lessons about self-worth, resilience, leadership, and personal growth—lessons that I now carry forward and feel are worth sharing.

1. Accepting What You Cannot Control

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that, no matter how much effort we put in, we can’t control everything—personally or professionally. Decisions will sometimes be made without our input or even against our wishes, and no amount of resistance will change the outcome. But what we can control is our response.

When I was let go, I chose to stay calm and composed. Instead of dwelling on what I couldn’t change, I focused on what I could—how I carried myself, how I moved forward, and how I preserved my integrity in the face of adversity. That choice made an enormous difference to how I processed the news.

2. The Power of Self-Reflection

In the aftermath of my termination, and in the solitude of my hotel room where I allowed myself to grieve, I was acknowledging and processing the range of my emotions, not suppressing them. This was a crucial step towards transcending them. Allowing the feelings to come forward helped me understand the depth of my attachment to my work, the identity I had built around that role, our mission in helping our patients and customers, my team and the people I care very deeply about. Without understanding how attached I was, I could not set the stage for a healthy detachment and healing to commence.

3. Leaning on Support Networks

During this difficult time, I was fortunate to have the unwavering support of loved ones. A new partner stood by me with compassion and understanding, and alongside my children, family, and closest friends, reminded me of the importance of being surrounded by people who uplift and love you. Their encouragement gave me the space to heal and regain my footing.

At the same time, I was reminded of the unique role our professional networks play in times of transition. Work friends, mentors, and colleagues not only provided guidance but also opened doors to new opportunities, proving that while careers may shift, the relationships we build along the way hold lasting value. Having both—those who hold space for you personally and those who rally for you professionally—makes all the difference in navigating the unexpected.

4. Embracing Change with Resilience

Unexpected change has a way of testing us in ways we don’t anticipate. When I faced an unexpected career transition, I felt the weight of uncertainty, but I also realized something crucial—resistance wouldn’t change the situation, but my response could.

I won’t pretend it was easy, but choosing to adapt rather than dwell on what was lost shifted everything. It pushed me to rethink my next steps, uncover opportunities I hadn’t considered, and lean into personal growth in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Looking back, I see that change isn’t just something to endure—it’s something to work with. And while we don’t always get a say in what happens, we always have a say in how we move forward.

5. Taking Pride in the Legacy of your Work.

Looking back, one of my greatest accomplishments that gave me tremendous comfort during the hard times was knowing I had assembled and nurtured a team of dedicated, high-performing individuals and left behind a highly capable group of future leaders whose positive impacts would ripple through the organization's future. This I learned over time was one of my super powers and no one could strip me of this gift, even after departing the organization.

Knowing I had nurtured a team of high-performing individuals and left behind a highly capable group of future leaders whose positive impacts would ripple through the organization's future gave me tremendous comfort during the hard times...no one could strip me of this...        

6. Embracing Uncertainty as an Opportunity

Facing the unknown is inherently daunting. Losing a job that was a cornerstone of my identity thrust me into deeply unfamiliar territory. However, this uncertainty also presented an opportunity for growth and reinvention. It compelled me to reevaluate my goals and aspirations, opening doors to possibilities I might not have considered otherwise. For example, I would have never considered a life of entrepreneurship but shortly after my departure I began entertaining the idea of starting my own health care consultancy and building programs to train leaders to operationalize the kinds of values I would like to see more in organizations.

7. Trusting the Journey

I have come to believe that every experience, no matter how challenging, serves a deeper purpose. Trusting in the journey and having faith that the future holds something better has been instrumental in maintaining a positive and constructive outlook. This mindset has allowed me to move forward with hope and optimism, even when faced with questions that challenge me to my core, or when the path isn't as clear as it used to be.

8. Valuing Self-Worth Beyond Professional Titles

This experience challenged me to reassess my self-worth, realizing that it can't solely be defined by my professional role, especially one that can be taken from me by someone else. My self worth needed to be anchored in attributes that were deeply "me". Embracing self-love allowed me to begin recognizing my inherent skills and values, as a person. This has allowed me to re-construct an identity that is centred and empowering, especially during times of volatility. Re-attachment with self has taught me that my contributions to the world extend beyond any job title.

Re-attachment with self has taught me that my contributions to the world extend beyond any job title.        

9. The Importance of Self-Care

Taking time to heal and reflect in places that bring me peace has been essential. Whether on Bowen Island for my weekends of reflection or vacationing in Hawaii, surrounded by natural beauty, or walking the natural trails into the mountains of North Vancouver behind my home, all of these environments provided a backdrop to slow down my nervous system and allow for natural introspection and rejuvenation. Slowing down allowed for truth to come forward, and gave me the space for honest inner dialogue, which were the essential ingredients for healing and growth. Prioritizing self-care helped me regain my strength and prepare mentally and emotionally for the next chapter.

Slowing down allowed for truth to come forward, and gave me the space for honest inner dialogue, which were the essential ingredients for healing and growth.        

10. Moving Forward with the Confidence of Open-heartedness

Although there is always some uncertainty in the future, I now choose to approach it with confidence and an open mind and heart. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and am committed to finding a vocation (be it a role or some other aspect of my profession) that aligns with my core identity and values. I look forward to contributing positively to many organizations that appreciate the authenticity, integrity, and leadership lessons I’ve cultivated over the years.

Conclusion: Beyond Acceptance: The Transition to Self.?

I am more free now than ever before.??

While the journey has been fraught with challenges, I am grateful for the growth it has spurred.?

Whatever comes next, the challenges I’ve faced as a leader have transformed me. I’ve learned more about resilience, self-awareness, and the value of authenticity from facing obstacles than from succeeding seamlessly. I step into the future with confidence and renewed purpose, ready to embrace whatever comes next.

This next chapter is a chance to redefine myself, seek out environments that nourish my soul, and to continue the journey of becoming a better leader and contributor to society. I am eager to see where this new path leads and am confident that the lessons learned will serve me—and hopefully others—well in the years to come.

I'm also making a promise to myself: to show up when things don’t go my way. To sit with my angst, with my feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy, with those narratives of "Why me?" and hear them. Accept them and still know that the path I’m headed on was the best thing that could have happened to me. I may not feel it at this moment, but I trust the universe. I trust my inside voice. I trust my own heart. And I trust the process that the future will only be brighter than today and this moment. This is just the growth and uncomfortable phase that I have to face in order to get to the next chapter of my journey.

Maybe now it's time for me to get uncomfortable, to go into the unknown and define my new chapter, my new home, so that I can transform again into another person and continue my journey of self-discovery in my personal life and the workplace.

Now it's time for me to get uncomfortable, to go into the unknown and define my new chapter, my new home, so that I can transform again into another person and continue my journey of self-discovery in my personal life and the workplace.