When It’s Time to Pivot

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really takes to pivot. Not just to make a change, but to make a change that’s aligned with your inner knowing.

Our latest conversation with Nina Smith on trusting your gut in career transitions caused me to pause and reflect on the moments when I knew, deep down, it was time to shift. And the times I ignored that knowing in favor of external expectations, productivity, or comfort.

It’s easy to talk about pivots as if they’re strategic decisions made on spreadsheets or timelines. But in my experience, the most meaningful pivots start quietly. With discomfort. With a question. With an inner voice that says, “This isn’t it.”

So while I don’t pretend to have all the answers, I want to share a few things I’ve learned about listening to that voice and navigating what comes next. Maybe they’ll help another WomenShare supporter find clarity in their own moment of change.

1. Go beneath the surface

When I look back at high-stress times in my career, I can see now how out of alignment I was, even when everything looked successful from the outside. My mind was laser-focused on stress management, productivity hacks, and the logistics of making everything work: family, work, leadership responsibilities, all of it.

It felt easier to focus on surface-level solutions than to stop and admit that I was staying in a role that wasn’t good for my overall well-being. That kind of honesty would’ve required me to confront my own ego: the compensation, the job title, the unspoken belief that a career is a ladder and the only acceptable direction is up.

Today, I try to be more honest with myself. My go-to move is to say out loud the thing I’m most afraid to say. That’s usually where the truth is. Once it’s spoken, I can’t hide from it, even if it’s not what my ego wants to hear.

2. Don't abandon yourself—act

Knowing what’s right and doing what’s right are two very different steps. Acting on the truth you’ve been avoiding can feel deeply uncomfortable. But not acting—abandoning yourself—feels worse.

The clearest form of integrity I’ve found is this: show up for yourself. Listen to your gut, and honor it with action. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be true.

3. Support yourself

Self-honesty and bold action are great, but they’re heavy lifts without some scaffolding. Whether it's a coach, a close friend, a therapist, or just a safe space to think things through, support helps you not just hear your gut, but actually follow it.

And remember that even small actions toward honoring your inner intelligence matter. You don’t need to burn the ships. (Sometimes you do, but not every time.)

A pivot for WomenShare?

Right now, Leah and I are in our own moment of discernment. We’ve poured our hearts and personal resources into WomenShare. We’ve had the joy of connecting with incredible women across the wealth management industry, shining a light on their stories and amplifying their wisdom. We’ve had sponsors that back our mission come alongside us, and we’re deeply grateful for every listener who’s joined us on this journey.

But now, we’re asking ourselves important questions:

• What does it look like to trust our gut from here?
• Is there a partner that can help use invest in deep and intentional growth for this platform?
• Do we look for a buyer who can help bring WomenShare to a new level?
• Or, is it time to bring this chapter to a close?

These are not small questions. And they’re certainly not ones we’re rushing to answer. We’re giving ourselves the space to discern—with honesty, intention, and a good dose of support.

If you’ve been part of this community as a listener, guest, or supporter, your perspective matters to us. What do you think the next season of WomenShare could or should look like? Drop us an email at womensharepodcast@gmail.com.

No matter what’s ahead, we're so grateful we’ve been on this journey with you.