When Nicole Webb’s dream job turned out to be her worst nightmare, she did the unthinkable and resigned. Plagued by the constant stress, frustration, and job dissatisfaction associated with corporate life, she knew that her vision of “success” was far from this.
During a brief, but introspective period of unemployment, she discovered an enormous passion for HR and entrepreneurship. This inspired the subsequent launch of the NK Webb Group, a company specializing in career coaching, whose mission is to educate, empower, and equip individuals to take charge of their own careers and do work that they love. To further her company’s mission, she designed a career workshop for aspiring individuals titled, “Be the CEO of Your Career.”
Black Enterprise caught up with Webb, who is also a BE contributing writer, to learn more about what it means to be the CEO of your career.
As a career coach, you work with clients to help them become the “CEOs of their careers.” Explain what this mental shift looks like for your clients.
A person who serves as CEO of their career understands that they are the highest-ranking official—the primary decision maker—in their professional life. They are proactive, and strategically utilize their knowledge, skills, and abilities to secure prime opportunities for their advancement. Also, because they possess confidence and know their value, they never settle for less than what they know they deserve.
How did you develop the concept for your current workshop series titled, “Be the CEO of Your Career?”
I have coached many clients who have been talented and educated. However, they lacked the confidence and guidance needed to accomplish their professional goals; they were not acting as the primary stakeholders in their success. Since I was noticing this trend among several clients from various professional industries, I knew I needed to create this workshop.
My goal was to expose attendees to the concepts that would help them excel. For example, understanding how to own their career, position themselves for promotion, build confidence, and face fear.
What are the key takeaways for workshop participants?
I want them to walk away with the understanding that their career is 100% their responsibility and the decisions that they make will determine how successful they will be. Also, that successfully networking with others and investing in themselves provides unlimited opportunities for growth and collaboration, further positioning them as an asset.
What is the biggest challenge you see among your clients?
I find that many of the individuals I coach do not recognize their value. As a result, they often present a diminished version of themselves. We work to re-create a winning narrative around the truth of who they are and the value they bring to the table.
Can you offer specific advice to someone who is currently struggling in their career and searching for next steps?
I would recommend getting clear on what you don’t like about your current employment (or field) and then making a list of the things you’d like to experience in your ideal career. Next, find a good career coach who specializes in the challenges you are facing.
Most career coaches offer a free, 15-minute discovery call to see if there is a mutual fit, so take advantage of it. Put what you learn into immediate practice and pay attention to the results that you are getting; continue to tweak until you find what works best for you.