CLIENT STORY: From Feeling Stuck to Speaking Up—Zoya’s Leadership Reset
Name: Zoya
Position: Client Services Senior Lead, Fortune 500 Tech Company
Challenge: Rebuilding confidence after a layoff and feeling stuck in an individual contributor role
Result: Regained clarity, confidence, and courage to own her voice, advocate for herself, and lead from her strengths
“It wasn’t about becoming someone different—it was about rediscovering what made me powerful in the first place. And learning to own it.”
Before Working with Sara…
Zoya had just returned to a company she loved after a tough year. She had finally landed a leadership role she worked hard for—only to be laid off six months later. Despite quickly securing another role through her strong network, she found herself back in an individual contributor position. It felt like a professional step backward.
"I didn’t know what to do with myself. I felt stuck—not because I wasn’t working hard or doing well, but because I didn’t know how to move forward anymore."
She knew something needed to shift, but wasn’t sure what. That’s when she reached out and joined the Breakthrough Coaching program.
Zoya’s Key Insights
You can’t grow if you’re constantly proving. For years, Zoya had been working under the belief that if she just did good work, recognition would follow. But that approach was no longer cutting it.
Confidence doesn’t come from titles. After losing her leadership role, Zoya doubted whether she was still "senior enough." Through the program, she realized her worth had never left—she just needed to reconnect with it.
Asking for help is a strength. Being in a group of women who truly listened—with no agenda—was the reminder she didn’t know she needed: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
The Breakthrough Moment
During one of our conversations, I asked Zoya a simple question: "What if you're not average?"
That moment shifted everything. For years, Zoya had lived with a quiet fear that maybe she was just "fine"—not great, not special, just fine. But what if that wasn’t true?
She started asking herself different questions: What do I actually want? What do I enjoy? What makes me feel energized and proud?
Those questions led to bigger changes than she expected.
The Lasting Impact
Through the program, Zoya:
Rebuilt her confidence to speak up and share her ideas with senior leaders
Created space to reflect on what she wanted, not just what the next promotion required
Let go of the pressure to be constantly "on" and started listening to what energized her
Found a powerful support system where she felt seen, heard, and not alone
She even began making visible shifts at work—advocating for herself, saying no when necessary, and choosing projects that energized her. One standout moment? When asked to lead an internal awards initiative, she didn’t just say yes. She said:
"I’ll do it—but only if I can recognize the underdogs. And I’ll need a co-lead, because I can’t take this on alone right now."
That kind of clarity and courage didn’t exist for her before.
What Should Others Know About Working with Sara?
Zoya shares that this program isn’t about magically fixing everything. It’s about:
Learning how to ask yourself the right questions
Challenging old beliefs that are keeping you small
Building the courage to show up as who you are, even when it feels scary
"I used to tell everyone else: 'you have to change something if you want different results.' But I wasn’t applying that advice to myself. Until now."
What’s Next for Zoya?
Instead of chasing a title, Zoya is focused on building her career around experiences that matter to her.
A sticky note on her desk reads: "Experiences over outcomes." That’s her new compass.
She still wants to grow. But now, she’s doing it on her terms—with clarity, confidence, and a voice she’s proud to use.
Her biggest takeaway? Being yourself isn’t a liability. It’s the thing that moves you forward.