How to Navigate Professionally Without the Guilt.

Here’s a little secret. Wherever you are right now, in an office or commuting, you’re around a group of people who want to advance in their career, make more money and feel successful. And, most of us are trying to figure out how to do just that, without having to compromise. Simple but not easy.

Sure, there are bigger issues such as climate change and our upcoming election but most of us want fulfillment in our professional lives.

We want to be acknowledged and recognized for our contributions.

We want to be tapped for highly visible projects, we want to have influence, and we want to be available for our family.

I meet with clients one-on-one in my DC office for the better part of the day, on most days.

These are mostly high achieving women (and a few good men) who are in the corporate space and want to figure out how to move up in their career without guilt riding on their shoulders.

Clients ask me “How do I demonstrate that I want to advance professionally without giving up what’s important to me, like being there for my daughters first drivers test or my sons knee surgery?”

My response, “You have to be willing to ask yourself tough questions, get really clear on what your non-negotiables are and ask for help”

When I set goals with clients, I steer them away from having an “either/or” mindset, which limits the choices they may see for themselves, instead I encourage them to think about how they can achieve what they want professionally AND stay true to what they value.

Gaining clarity on what you want, how to achieve it and what you need to be the best version of yourself positions you to think strategically about what you may want to do differently both on a professional and personal level.

Balancing an active career and family life isn’t linear.

Setting expectations, communicating openly and having a game plan can go a long way. 

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Denise Harris is a well known expert in Leadership Development and a Certified Executive Coach, who specializes in helping executives, entrepreneurs and leaders advance in their professional lives. Denise's strategic knowledge, insight, approachability and candor allow her to equip + empower her clients with the tools to not only "successfully walk through the fire" but emerge on the other side as the best and highest version of themselves.

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