“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:
- Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-k-charles/
- Ikigai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai
- Quit, The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, by Annie Duke https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60097435-quit
- Designing your new life https://designingyour.life/insights/designing-your-new-work-life-infographic-preview/
- 5 Steps to Designing Your Life (Ted Talk): https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_burnett_5_steps_to_designing_the_life_you_want
- Sanctuary Financial Planning https://sanctuaryfinancialplanning.com/
- E97: The Power of Investing in the Green Zone https://pod.link/1563427212/episode/e8f735b9103c5334b052417dc3fedccf
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
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