We talk a lot about career strategy, success stories, and even burnout. What we don’t talk enough about — and what we must — is career grief.

Career grief is what you feel when a role that once defined you ends. It’s the ache that comes with walking away (or being pushed out) from something that shaped your identity. It’s the loss that lingers after the job title is gone, the calendar clears, and the email access is revoked. Sometimes it’s loud and undeniable. Other times, it’s a quiet ache that creeps in while you’re trying to "just move on."

I know this intimately. I’ve experienced career grief at every major pivot point — as a corporate executive transitioning out of global leadership, and again as I stepped into entrepreneurship to build a performance consulting practice. Each chapter closed with the weight of identity loss. And yet, each ending eventually gave way to something more honest, more aligned.

In my coaching and consulting work, I see it over and over again. High-performing professionals navigating change with intellect and resilience — and yet still privately mourning. And often, that grief is hidden under layers of shame and self-judgment.

We live in a world that conditions us to “bounce back,” to update our LinkedIn bios, to turn pain into a PR moment. But grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline. It doesn’t care about your next quarterly goals. And ignoring it only delays the healing that transitions demand.

I’ve come to believe that major life and career shifts are often triggered by what many call the Five Ds: Death, Disaster, Disease, Divorce, and Downsizing. These moments — even the ones that look positive from the outside — invite a reckoning. They signal that something is ending. And whether that ending feels welcome or not, it changes you.

After the end comes what I call ‘The Fog Zone’ — that strange middle space where the old self is no longer and the new self hasn’t yet arrived. It’s disorienting. You may feel disconnected from your purpose or unsure of what comes next. The impulse to "figure it all out" can be overwhelming. But it’s here, in this foggy middle, where growth begins.

So, what do you do?

You slow down. You grieve. You acknowledge what you’ve lost — not just the role, but the rhythm, the recognition, and the identity that came with it. You reflect on what no longer fits and begin the gentle work of releasing it.

You redefine. You explore new possibilities. You give yourself permission to try, to fail, to dream again. You listen to the whispers of what’s calling you forward.

And most importantly, you seek support. Transitions are not solo journeys. You don’t have to process your grief or shape your next chapter alone.

If you’re in the midst of a transition — by choice or by circumstance — I invite you to pause. Make space to honor what’s ending. And when you’re ready, begin to explore what’s possible on the other side.

Need support navigating your next chapter? Whether you're processing a career ending, searching for clarity, or stepping into a new leadership identity, I offer coaching experiences and curated programs designed to guide professionals through meaningful transitions.

Let’s connect: Book a Consultation

Because you're not just mourning what was — you're making room for what’s next. And that is worth honoring.

Stay tuned as well for the new season of Coaching to Win for an episode covering this exact topic with grief specialist, Jeelise Allen.