Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary
Episode #261: Erica Sosna – Rebuilding Her Career—and Spine—One Step at a Time – Part One

Introduction

In Episode #261 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan engages in a profound and inspiring conversation with Erika Sosna, a distinguished career coach, author, and the creator of the Career Equation. This episode delves deep into Erika's extraordinary journey of professional transformation and personal resilience following a life-altering accident. Listeners are offered a rich tapestry of insights on navigating career transitions, overcoming setbacks, and redefining personal and professional goals.

Erika Sosna: Background and the Career Equation

Erika Sosna introduces herself as a career thought leader with over two decades of experience in coaching thousands worldwide. She developed the Career Equation, a comprehensive model designed to help individuals align their inner values and talents with their professional pursuits. Erika's work emphasizes connecting one's insides—personal values, skills, and passions—with the outsides—how they spend their time, earn a living, and create value for themselves and others.

“I fundamentally work with people's narrative, helping them to understand who they are at heart and then the direction that character, the hero, in their story themselves wants to take...”
— Erika Sosna [05:00]

Navigating Career Transitions: Professional and Personal Stories

Erika shares her early career endeavors, including founding a social enterprise named The Life Project, aimed at integrating personal development into career planning for individuals under 25. This venture laid the groundwork for her Career Equation, focusing on helping young people discover how to utilize their academic strengths in the evolving job market.

Her transition back into the corporate world was fraught with challenges. Erika recounts facing skepticism due to her entrepreneurial background, encountering rejections, and ultimately experiencing two significant professional setbacks. These experiences underscored the importance of aligning personal design, work environment, and professional relationships.

“...taking that time out to think about what is my unique design, what environments help or hinder me, what keeps me well, where's my zone of genius?”
— Erika Sosna [17:02]

Reflections on Setbacks and Growth

Vince Chan echoes the themes of resilience, relating his own experiences with setbacks before launching the podcast. This mutual understanding fosters a deeper connection between host and guest, highlighting how challenges can serve as catalysts for personal growth and clarity in one's career path.

A Life-Altering Accident: Overcoming Paralysis

The conversation takes a pivotal turn as Erika opens up about a devastating accident in 2022 that left her paralyzed from the waist down. This incident not only halted her professional activities but also demanded immense personal strength and determination to reclaim her mobility and rebuild her life.

“I have rebuilt a business and launched a podcast. I have been a great parent in spite of all of those challenges and obstacles.”
— Erika Sosna [26:34]

Erika details her arduous recovery process, which included emergency surgery and nearly five months in the hospital. The physical and emotional toll was immense, but her unwavering commitment to her work and family fueled her rehabilitation efforts. Her return to work in October 2020 marked a significant milestone, as she balanced her consultancy, launched a podcast, and embraced a three-day workweek to accommodate her new reality.

Lessons Learned and Insights

Through her journey, Erika emphasizes the importance of:

1. Alignment of Personal and Professional Goals: Ensuring that one's career aligns with their intrinsic values and passions.
2. Flexibility and Autonomy: Creating work environments that respect individual energy levels and offer flexibility.
3. Resilience and Adaptability: Embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and reevaluating one's path to better fit personal needs and circumstances.
4. Impact and Purpose: Reaffirming the significance of making a meaningful impact through one's work, especially in the face of adversity.

Erika's experience underscores the essence of the Career Equation—constantly reassessing and realigning one's career trajectory to foster personal fulfillment and professional success.

Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

As the episode concludes, Vince Chan previews Part Two, where Erika will delve deeper into the wisdom gained from her recovery, her approach to shaping personal and professional growth, and further exploration of the Career Equation. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and join the rapidly growing community of over 130,000 followers striving to become their own Chief Change Officers.

Notable Quotes

• Erika Sosna [05:00]: “I fundamentally work with people's narrative, helping them to understand who they are at heart and then the direction that character, the hero, in their story themselves wants to take...”

• Erika Sosna [17:02]: “...taking that time out to think about what is my unique design, what environments help or hinder me, what keeps me well, where's my zone of genius?”

• Erika Sosna [26:34]: “I have rebuilt a business and launched a podcast. I have been a great parent in spite of all of those challenges and obstacles.”

Join the Conversation

For those inspired by Erika Sosna's story and eager to unlock their potential, Chief Change Officer is available on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Follow Erika and Vince for more transformative insights and stories from exceptional leaders and visionaries worldwide.