From Reluctant Employee to Aspiring Leader: My Unexpected Journey in Corporate America

When I re-entered Corporate America in 2023, I didn’t see it as a career move—I saw it as a necessity. My husband had just experienced a wrongful termination, and while my business as a Business Systems Consultant and Life Coach was thriving, it wasn’t quite enough to be our sole source of income. After six years of full-time entrepreneurship, I found myself back in Human Resources, navigating a world I thought I had left behind.

Now, here I am, nearly two years later, on my second attempt at stepping into Leadership. As I await the decision, I’ve been paying close attention to the team dynamic—how we function, where we fall short, and what’s needed to cultivate a healthier work environment. One thing is glaringly clear: there’s a trust deficit.

I’ve naturally stepped into a mentorship role, guiding and training most of my coworkers. They confide in me, sharing their frustrations, challenges, and unfiltered thoughts about our workplace. I appreciate their trust in me. The fact that they feel seen, heard, and supported means a lot. But I also recognize that without a solid foundation of trust within the team, our collaboration is more about obligation than alignment. Cliques are forming, professional boundaries are blurring, and the honeymoon phase is over…

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