Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary
Episode: #323
Title: Erica Sosna: Walking Again, Working Again—Redesigning Life on New Terms
Release Date: April 26, 2025
Host: Vince Chen
Guest: Erika Sosna, Author of The Career Equation
Introduction
In episode #323 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chen engages in a profound conversation with Erika Sosna, a renowned career thought leader and author of The Career Equation. This episode delves into Erika's extraordinary journey of resilience and transformation following a life-altering accident that left her paralyzed. Through her story, Erika explores the depths of personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's career with personal values and strengths.
Erika's Background and Career Journey
Erika Sosna begins by sharing her extensive background in career coaching and her development of The Career Equation, a model designed to help individuals align their inner passions with their professional lives.
"I've made it my life's work really over the last 20 years to help people connect their insides... what's important to them, what's important to them..."
[04:12] Erika Sosna
Erika recounts her early endeavor, the Life Project, a social enterprise aimed at providing young individuals with the tools to navigate the evolving world of work. This initiative focused on helping people under 25 discover how their academic interests could translate into meaningful careers.
Transitioning from the nonprofit sector to the corporate world presented significant challenges. Erika faced skepticism about her ability to thrive in a traditional job setting due to her entrepreneurial background. Despite initial setbacks, including a failed probation period at a consultancy, she persisted in refining her career approach.
"It really has taught me a lot about who I am and the impact I have in the world..."
[17:20] Erika Sosna
Erika emphasizes the importance of understanding one's unique design and the environments that foster personal and professional well-being.
Managing Transitions
Vince Chen prompts Erika to discuss her experiences with both career and personal transitions, seeking insights into how she navigates significant changes.
Erika illustrates that transitions extend beyond merely changing jobs; they encompass profound shifts in industry, location, and even personal circumstances. Her narrative underscores the necessity of deliberate planning and self-awareness in managing these transitions effectively.
"It's not just about sending out a million CVs or hitting apply on LinkedIn jobs. It's really about taking that time out to think about what is my unique design..."
[10:27] Erika Sosna
Through her experiences, Erika highlights the critical role of aligning one's career path with personal strengths and life goals, a theme central to her Career Equation model.
Life-Changing Accident and Recovery
A pivotal moment in Erika's life occurred in 2022 when she was involved in a severe car accident, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. This life-threatening event forced her to confront immense physical and emotional challenges.
"I was paralyzed from the waist down. I had emergency surgery to try to save my mobility..."
[19:55] Erika Sosna
The recovery process was arduous, spanning nearly five months in the hospital and a prolonged period of rehabilitation that tested Erika's resilience. Despite the prognosis for many being bleak, Erika made a remarkable recovery, regaining the ability to walk after two years.
Erika discusses the impact of this experience on her professional life, leading her to take a year away from her consultancy. During this time, she reevaluated her career and life priorities, which culminated in the relaunch of her consultancy and the creation of her podcast.
"Returning to work was a real solace. It was somewhere I was confident, somewhere that I was comfortable..."
[19:55] Erika Sosna
This period of introspection and adjustment enabled Erika to align her work more closely with her personal values, focusing on helping others achieve fulfilling and impactful careers.
Reflections and Insights
Throughout the conversation, Erika offers profound insights into the nature of personal and professional growth. She underscores the importance of:
- Self-Understanding: Deeply knowing one's strengths, passions, and values.
- Alignment: Ensuring that career choices resonate with personal life goals and well-being.
- Resilience: Embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and redefinition.
- Flexibility: Adapting career paths to accommodate life changes and evolving priorities.
"A career is a series of choices where we explore how do I align my gifts with how I spend time and make money..."
[19:55] Erika Sosna
Erika's philosophy centers on the continuous balancing act of leveraging one's capabilities while adapting to life's unpredictable nature.
Conclusion
In this inspiring episode, Erika Sosna exemplifies the essence of a Chief Change Officer by transforming personal adversity into a catalyst for professional and personal reinvention. Her story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, self-awareness, and intentional career planning.
Vince Chen concludes the episode by teasing part two, where Erika will delve deeper into the hard-earned wisdom from her experiences and further explore The Career Equation.
"Come back and join us tomorrow... take care."
[26:49] Vince Chen
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