Issue 48: When the Title Doesn’t Fit Anymore


ISSUE 48

9 JULY 2025 | READ ONLINE

Hey Reader,

There was a time when my LinkedIn profile read like a trophy case. You'll know what I mean. The titles, the awards, the milestones. Each one was carefully earned, neatly stacked, and gleaming with pride.

It looked like the dream. It was the dream.

But recently, something has shifted with me.

Quietly. Subtly.

Like a favorite pair of jeans that don't quite fit like they used to (hmm. I don't think that shift is as subtle as I'd like it to be).

The old story that had served me well. The one that shaped my thinking, built my resilience, and helped me grow. It just wasn't working anymore.

I needed a new story. And I knew it wouldn’t write itself.

I discuss this concept, which I call The Quiet Call for More, in Chapter 1 of my upcoming book, Clarity in Chaos: Lead with Purpose in Disruptive Times.

You can join the waitlist here.


Why is it so hard to walk away from a story that still looks good on paper?

This kind of shift is more common than we think, especially for high performers. We don’t always notice the misalignment at first. Because things still work. We’re still producing, still showing up, still delivering results.

And that makes it even harder to consider stepping away.

Harvard Business School professor Herminia Ibarra describes this tension perfectly in “Why Career Transition Is So Hard”.

She found that many professionals stay in roles or identities they’ve outgrown. Not because they’re stuck, but because they’re still succeeding.

Success can become a kind of trap.

It holds us in the story, even when our values, energy, or purpose have moved on.


A gentle prompt if you’re feeling the nudge

Here’s something I often ask coaching clients who are sitting in this tension:

Is this still your story, or are you just really good at playing the role?

It’s not a judgment, but an invitation.

Because you don’t have to be burnt out to feel misaligned, sometimes growth is quieter than that. And, it’s just an inner knowing that it’s time to evolve.


Try this reflection

If you’ve been feeling that quiet shift, here’s a simple 3-step check-in:

  1. Celebrate the old.
    What did this chapter give you? What are you proud of?
  2. Name what’s shifting.
    What no longer feels aligned? What’s starting to whisper for your attention?
  3. Design what’s next.
    Not the whole five-year plan, just one intentional move in a new direction.

This isn’t about throwing everything away. It’s about making space for what’s true now.


For the week ahead

Before your next big conversation, planning session, or decision, ask yourself:

“What story am I living, and is it still mine?”

If the answer feels even a little uncertain, that’s not failure. That’s clarity.

You haven’t outgrown your potential, but you might have outgrown the shape it used to take.

This is exactly what we explore inside Purpose Pathfinders - with tools, coaching, and a community of purpose-driven professionals who are writing their next chapters with clarity and courage.

You can join the community anytime.

I'd love to see you there. But if not, please continue to enjoy these weekly newsletters. And let me know if they are hitting the mark for you by clicking 'reply' and having a chat with me. Bye for now!


— Megan


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Rewrite Your Leadership Story Before Someone Else Writes It For You

You’ve achieved a lot.
But now, something feels off.
The title fits. The resume shines. But your sense of direction? Not so much.

In this 90-minute masterclass, I’ll help you:
✅ Get clear on what actually matters in your next chapter
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Because success means nothing if it doesn’t feel like you.

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Dr. Megan Tranter | Purpose Pathfinders

Learn from former Amazon & Netflix exec how to build a purpose-led career and life, make an impact, get that promotion, make more $, and be happy while you're doing it.

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