After more than 30 years working in traditional organizational roles from classroom teacher to university and corporate CEO in the U.S. and internationally, I have gratefully come to understand that it is, in fact, possible to make values-based work and career decisions that nurture ourselves while making a positive difference for others.

In my own case, helped along by a fairly significant life crisis, my primary motivation is for people who associate with me to be better off because of that association and that the world be a better place as a result of my efforts.

Over my career, there are many examples in which my work created meaningful benefit for others, particularly as it related to underserved students, but it is only recently that I have consciously and purposely based my career choices on the extent to which those choices nurture me and make a positive difference for others. I am also working with many people in the same transitional place. Such a change requires compromises and even some courage, not only because leaving what we know involves risk, but because we’ve all been powerfully socialized to accept traditional definitions of professionalism and success that keep us from following our hearts.

If you are one of the many, many people who suddenly find themselves face to face with some very complicated feelings about where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going, reach out and let’s chat. If you’re ready to let go of the false bargains that have held you back so far, it really is possible for your work to support your values, your health and what matters to you personally.