In this episode of Iron and Empathy, host Drew Moldenhauer sits down with employment lawyer, speaker, and coach Natalie Holder to explore what happens when the career you've built no longer aligns with the life you want. Drawing from her experiences in employment law, leadership, government, and academia, Natalie shares how unexpected career pivots can reveal opportunities that were there all along—if you're willing to recognize the signals and act on them.

The conversation dives into workplace culture, leadership blind spots, personal reinvention, and the importance of building a career that can adapt when circumstances change. Natalie offers practical insights on navigating difficult workplace environments, recognizing when you've outgrown your current role, and creating a support system that helps you see possibilities beyond the obstacles directly in front of you.

Stay Connected

Reach out to Drew and sign up for newsletters and podcast updates at Blue-Ethos.com

To connect with Natalie Holder and learn more about her work:

🌐 Website: QuestEI.org
📺 YouTube Channel: Natalie mentions she regularly shares employment-law and workplace culture content through her YouTube channel and website.

Key Takeaways

Career paths don't have to be linear; a "portfolio career" creates flexibility and resilience.
Sometimes feeling stuck is a signal that you've outgrown your current environment.
Building a personal board of directors can help identify blind spots and guide major decisions.
Leaders should actively seek feedback to uncover assumptions and improve team performance.
Workplace culture is often shaped by subtle behaviors that either include or exclude people.
Collecting real data is more effective than making decisions based on assumptions.
Career decisions should align with both professional goals and personal values.
Strong leaders create environments where people feel seen, heard, and able to contribute.
Reinvention often begins when you're willing to question what no longer serves you.
Courage and curiosity are essential when navigating uncertainty and change.

Keywords

career development, career transition, workplace culture, leadership, employment law, professional growth, career reinvention, organizational culture, employee engagement, workplace inclusion, leadership development, career coaching, resilience, professional networking, workplace retention, leadership blind spots, personal growth, career strategy, mentorship, career pivot, organizational leadership, employee experience