296: How Having Difficult Conversations Can Accelerate Your Career Growth with Michelle Schafer

24 october, 2025

Episode 296: How Having Difficult Conversations Can Accelerate Your Career Growth with Michelle Schafer

In this episode

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this powerful episode, I am joined by fellow career coach Michelle Schafer, who also specialises in career transition and leadership development.

Together, they explore why mastering difficult conversations at work is a critical skill for professional growth and long-term fulfilment.

Michelle shares her personal journey from experiencing job loss twice to building a thriving coaching practice — and how those experiences shaped her belief that real career advancement begins with courageous conversations.

Summary

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to confidently navigate difficult conversations that shape your career trajectory

✅ The mindset shift from waiting for opportunities to creating them through dialogue

✅ Simple ways to prepare for a meaningful career development conversation

✅ How to raise your visibility by connecting with colleagues across your organisation

✅ Why reflection and self-awareness are key to making aligned career decisions

Action Steps:

💡 Reflect: Identify what gives you energy, what drains you, and your non-negotiables

💡 Initiate: Schedule a dedicated career development conversation with your leader — don’t wait for the annual review.

💡 Connect: Build internal relationships by being curious, joining cross-functional projects, or engaging in workplace communities

✨ Memorable Quote:

“It’s not your forever place. You’re not going to feel stuck forever — there are always choices and steps you can take.” — Michelle Schafer

Episode notes

As an award-winning certified executive and career coach, TEDx speaker, podcast host and former lawyer, I have seen way too many female professionals under selling themselves and settling for less in their careers. I am committed to equipping high achieving women with the tools and support to create careers that are both meaningful and impactful.

✨ Let’s Work Together ✨

If you’re in a season of career transition and you’re ready to create a path that’s fully aligned with who you are now, I’d love to support you.

Through my 1:1 coaching programmes, I help ambitious professionals make bold but intentional career moves without sacrificing their lifestyle, income, or sense of self.

👉 Join the waitlist for 1:1 coaching with me

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

🔗 Connect with Michelle:

LinkedIn: Michelle Schafer
Website: mshafercoaching.ca
Get a free chapter of her book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose via her website.