Podcast Summary: Chief Change Officer Episode #277 - Helen Hannison: Outgrowing the Career Everyone Else Envies — Part One

Release Date: April 6, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Helen Hannison

Introduction

In Episode #277 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes Helen Hannison, a seasoned professional who transitioned from a 20-year career in public relations (PR) to becoming a career coach. This two-part series delves into Helen's journey of finding alignment between her professional aspirations and personal life, ultimately leading her to help others redesign their careers for greater fulfillment.

Helen Hannison’s Career Background

Helen begins by sharing her extensive experience in the public relations industry. Over two decades, she worked with global PR firms handling major budgets and leading brands. Despite the outward signs of success—such as board memberships and frequent international travel—Helen felt increasingly disconnected and unfulfilled.

Helen Hannison [04:22]: "Success is really what it looked like from the outside. I was on the board, I was on and off planes all the time. Even for me, I was bumping into a wall."

The Crossroad: Balancing Career and Motherhood

Helen's pivotal moment came with the decision to become a mother. She grappled with the intense conflict between her demanding career and her desire to be present for her child. This internal struggle highlighted the incompatibility between her professional life and her new personal responsibilities.

Helen Hannison [04:22]: "I had thought a lot about replacing myself at home because I assumed in the opposite direction and then found it excruciating not to be present hardly at all for my little one."

This realization prompted Helen to redefine her understanding of success, prioritizing personal fulfillment and meaningful impact over traditional career achievements.

Transition to Career Coaching

Recognizing the need for a more congruent and purposeful career, Helen pursued a psychology degree, laying the foundation for her new path in career coaching. Her mission became clear: to help individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected in their professional lives to redesign their careers in alignment with what truly matters to them.

Helen Hannison [04:22]: "I created a second jumping off point eventually and worked out that I needed what I did to be meaningful to me, to have congruence with my career and life."

The Importance of Alignment and Purpose

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the concept of alignment in career redesign. Helen emphasizes that without proper alignment, individuals may misidentify the real problems they need to solve in their professional lives.

Helen Hannison [32:09]: "The act of alignment is an important foundational step for everyone in career redesign. Without it, you might be solving the wrong problem."

Helen’s approach involves taking a thorough inventory of one’s values, passions, and strengths to ensure that any career changes are deeply rooted in personal significance rather than external measures of success.

Challenges Faced During Transition

Helen candidly discusses the challenges she encountered while transitioning from PR to coaching. The process was anything but smooth, involving years of self-discovery, experimentation, and occasional setbacks. She highlights the importance of perseverance and the willingness to embrace discomfort when pursuing meaningful change.

Helen Hannison [16:57]: "There was a lot of throwing mud at the wall and seeing what stuck. It wasn't a great process and it took too long, but it taught me everything I know today."

Writing the Book: Scaling Impact

To extend her reach beyond one-on-one coaching, Helen authored a book titled [Book Title]. She explains that the impetus to write the book arose during the lockdown period, as demand for her coaching services surged. The book serves as a scalable resource offering actionable concepts and exercises designed to help readers begin their journey toward career alignment and transformation.

Helen Hannison [23:45]: "I wanted to get this book out of my head and into the world. It became a pilot test of sorts for reaching more people."

Despite the challenges of writing and publishing, Helen found the experience to be therapeutic and rewarding, culminating in a successful launch that enabled her to impact a broader audience.

Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

As the episode concludes, Helen introduces her framework for career change, structured into three acts: Alignment, Career Redesign, and Transformation. These acts form the core of her approach, guiding individuals through the necessary steps to achieve a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.

Vince Chen [32:09]: "Helen's journey from global boardroom to career coach showed us that success without alignment just doesn't stick. But how do you actually get unstuck? Part two dives into her framework for career change."

Listeners are left anticipating the next part of the series, where Helen will elaborate on her practical strategies and tools for implementing career transformations.

Notable Quotes

• Helen Hannison [04:22]: "Success is really what it looked like from the outside. I was on the board, I was on and off planes all the time. Even for me, I was bumping into a wall."

• Helen Hannison [11:12]: "I was very self-aware. I could tell my own energy levels, my own sort of appetite, that aliveness as I call it now, was either up or down."

• Helen Hannison [16:57]: "There was a lot of throwing mud at the wall and seeing what stuck. It wasn't a great process and it took too long, but it taught me everything I know today."

Final Thoughts

Episode #277 offers a deep dive into the complexities of career transformation, highlighting the necessity of personal alignment and the courage to redefine success. Helen Hannison's authentic storytelling and insightful strategies provide listeners with valuable guidance and inspiration to embark on their own journeys of professional and personal growth.

For more insights and to catch Part Two of this series, subscribe to Chief Change Officer on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube @chiefchangeofficer.