Misalignment is a Gift

So you’ve made it through the first work week of 2026 – and you’re gearing up for week 2 tomorrow…

How are you holding up?

This past week I was in Colorado, leading a strategic planning retreat for a national conservation organization. It was fun, creative, collaborative, and let’s face it: hard.

So much people-ing. So much talking. So much UNCERTAINTY, kicked up like dust in the desert.

One of the topics we discussed in depth was change – what it is, and importantly, how we feel about it.

Yes, we know change is a constant. And also, it doesn’t usually feel all that great.

As we sat down to work on the team’s new strategic plan, I kept thinking about how it feels to experience change as an employee within an organization. In my own experience, talking about change rarely felt positive (unless it was because I was getting a promotion).

For many of us, talking about change within the context of a company brings up feelings of misalignment. 

I want to do one thing, the company wants me to do something else.

I think we should focus on this, my boss says No.

I don’t feel connected to our vision – and I have to fake it anyway.

In my early career, I tried to hide these feelings of misalignment. I thought it was bad or wrong – and therefore something I needed to stuff away and pretend wasn’t a thing.

[Do you do this, too?]

What I know now is that misalignment is actually a gift.

No matter how it shows up for you (a feeling, a sense, a thought, etc), misalignment is data. Data that’s informing you about something that’s important.

Turn toward it. 

Face its discomfort. 

Say what needs to be said (out loud, or even just within the pages of your journal).

Misalignment is your inner guidance system – showing you the way forward.

Let’s practice listening to it.

Try This Out

This week, your only homework is to notice where misalignment exists in your work. 

Grab a piece of paper and make a list of the moments, meetings, conversations, projects etc where you feel out of sync, inauthentic, or dis-integrated (these are all clues of misalignment). Every time you notice it, write it down.

Importantly, we’re not judging or being critical here (ahem, I’m talking to myself as much as I am to you!). This is simply about taking inventory.

At the end of your workweek, take stock. Review your list for patterns and commonalities. Recall these moments and notice if there’s a specific cue or signal that your body likes to send you when you’re most misaligned (tight shoulders, fake smiles, saying something you don’t believe in).

What’s it like to see these moments on paper? And importantly, what is this data suggesting might be your next, right step?

What To Do Next

Is the data telling you it’s time to quit? Or to start designing your next opportunity? 

If you’re ready to start preparing for change – check out my new on-demand workshop, Make Your Move. I created it specifically to help you navigate change, clarify your next steps, and take action today.

And of course, I’m also here to help as your coach. I have openings for new clients in my Career Strategy Intensive, and for long-term coaching in Career Redesign Experience. 

Let’s make 2026 the year you step out of misalignment – and step into your most authentic chapter yet!

Onward,