Even the Greatest Top Talent is Disposable

For years, corporate life has been sold as the “safest path”—the one that promises stability, a steady paycheck, and career progression. But more professionals are discovering that so-called job security is nothing but a myth. As layoffs sweep across industries, even long-tenured employees find themselves displaced and forced to reimagine their futures.

As far back as 2008, after completing my initial coaching certification at NCSU, I started my company as a side hustle not knowing where it would lead me. In the midst of the global financial crisis (a.k.a. the “Great Recession”) I coached highly successful leaders who lost their entire professional career identity in a flash. Waves of large-scale layoffs forced them to reinvent themselves. They grappled with grief, shame, anxiety, depression, and crippling uncertainty.

Individuals ranging from high-level executives to single parents were further impacted when longtime friends and neighbors “heard the bad news”, and they were effectively ignored and shunned from society. Why? Because nobody wants to face a reminder that this could happen to them too.

The idea that staying loyal to one company guarantees stability has been debunked time and time again. Just look at the data: In 2023 alone, more than 191,000 tech employees in the U.S. were laid off, including workers from giants like Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft. Some of these employees had spent years—if not decades—at these firms, only to be let go with little notice as companies restructured and cut costs.

And it’s not just the tech industry. Across sectors, companies like Boeing, Disney, and Goldman Sachs have slashed tens of thousands of jobs, affecting workers at all levels. With the recent economic turbulence, 28% of Americans report having been laid off in the past two years. Clearly, the safety net corporate life promises isn’t as secure as it once seemed.

How to Create a Backup Plan Before It’s Too Late

At the end of 2009, I was also laid off from my full time position, and as crazy as it sounds, I couldn’t have been happier. I was free to go all-in on what was truly authentic to me.In fact, I think I manifested it! By the grace of the universe, I’ve been self-employed ever since.

Over the last decade, since creating my ICF-accredited Certified Authentic Leadership Coach (CALC) program, I have trained countless students whose plan was to leave corporate “eventually”, until they got a taste of working for themselves, and eventually became “ASAP”!

Speaking with a recent CALC graduate and now peer in the self-employed coaching space, we realized that the majority of our former and current clients are examples of what I will call Offramp Coaching: Helping to guide professionals out of the corporate grind and onto a path of independence and fulfillment, where they can build something truly aligned with their passions and strengths.

The truth is, the path to real security lies in owning your future—through entrepreneurship.

Offramp Coaching provides a step-by-step framework to help you exit the corporate world and build a business that reflects you. Whether you’re burnt out from corporate politics or simply ready for more, Offramp Coaching can guide you every step of the way.

Here’s what Offramp Coaching offers:

• Clarity and Vision: Identify your deepest authentic goals and create a progressive vision for a fulfilling entrepreneurial future.
• Mindset Transformation: Shift limiting beliefs around financial security and consider the risks of not pursuing your potential.
• Strategic Action: Create an actionable roadmap to ensure your business is sustainable.

Real-Life Success: From Corporate VP to Thriving Entrepreneur

Kelly Schupp, one of my most inspiring clients, faced this very dilemma. As a Vice President of Marketing for a technology company, Kelly had achieved corporate success, but it didn’t fulfill her. She had a passion project—Rail & Stile, a custom cabinetry and design business—but she didn’t know how to turn it into her full-time pursuit.

Through our coaching sessions, Kelly transitioned from a corporate executive to a successful business owner. Today, Rail & Stile continues to expand, and in 2023, Kelly grew from working out of her home to opening a 10,000-square-foot showroom. Her story is proof that you can transform a side hustle into a thriving business with the right support and strategy.

Abandon the Myth and Own Your Future

The myth of corporate security has been shattered for millions of lives and families over the past few years. Whether through layoffs, restructuring, or burnout, the corporate dream is showing its cracks. The good news is, you can take control of your career.

If you’ve been considering leaving corporate, just imagine what would be possible if you invested all of your time and energy into into something you are extremely excited about every day for your own company, rather than continue to be measured by corporate bottom-line expectations, which increase year after year to justify keeping you at the same level.

Think about it, if you explore creating your own company while you still have a full-time job, you have nothing to lose. And no, you are not too old or far into your career to start something new! That’s just an excuse.

Disclaimer:

Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone. It requires an insane amount of faith, trust, resilience, and a solid support system. I never imagined I’d end up where I am today. I just took it one “what if” and day at a time.

You can too.

If you are open to simply consider considering (wink) canning corporate to create your own company…contact me! My information is down below.

About the Author:

Kathleen O’Grady is the CEO of Authentic Leadership Advisors and the creator of the Authentic Intelligence™ Framework. With nearly 20 years of coaching experience, Kathleen specializes in helping executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders make bold transitions, particularly from corporate burnout to entrepreneurial success. Her work focuses on empowering individuals to break free from traditional paths and build careers and/or businesses that align with their innate passions and strengths. Recognized globally for her transformative coaching methods, Kathleen ranks #1 in USA Today’s Top 10 International Coaches. As a Master Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, she has guided countless clients through their own entrepreneurial breakthroughs.