Career Flexibility with Natalie Beckerman: 9 Points to Guide Your Thinking

Some women follow a linear path from college to the corporate world. They get their degree, move into their desired industry, then climb the ladder steadily. Others may differ in their experiences, whether choosing to work right away or pivot into a new field and progress horizontally.

Both journeys offer equally valuable insights decorated by accomplishments and growing pains that make us who we are. No matter how we start off, it’s important to face ongoing transformation with career flexibility: an ability to adapt to every circumstance and change that leads us to greater heights. 

It’s how our May webinar guest, Natalie Beckerman, paves a fulfilling path. As the Global Head of Customer Support Operations at IHG Hotels & Resorts, she carries years of experience building resilience and maximizing her growth. 

“I learned, through practice, about believing in myself and not being afraid of change,” said Beckerman. “I learned about what excites and fulfills me, what makes me happy, and most importantly, what aligns with my values.”

Here, we review some of her top takeaways for career exploration and resilience.

1. Allow your values to ground you.

Personal values don’t just define our character—they can influence our trajectory and direction. More than ever, people pursue roles and companies that share mutual beliefs. They want to work for a cause they believe in, and rely on an employer who genuinely has their best interests in mind. When exploring, it’s important to keep these expectations close to heart and refuse to compromise.

 “I had a notebook where I wrote my 10 values, and I carried it so much that I never forgot what was important to me,” explained Beckerman. “How much does your family situation, societal pressures, or conflicts align or misalign with your personal goals? If you don’t have a strong understanding of yourself and what you really want, it isn’t going to work.” 

2. Don’t be afraid to reinvent the wheel when self-empowering.

Very few are comfortable with confrontation, but when you’re advocating for yourself and your needs, it becomes necessary. With that said, there’s no set formula for how you should voice your concerns. Consider your personal boundaries and nurture conversations where the other party can truly understand your rationale. 

You may be asking for a raise or challenging your company culture. Regardless of the scale of your desired change, you can evolve each interaction to fit your comfort level while delivering your message, loud and clear. 

“Ask questions nonthreateningly and let them know what’s important to you,” encouraged Beckerman. “There’s always a different approach. There's always a way to challenge someone’s thinking without confrontation.”

3. Create an actionable strategy that aligns with your goals. 

Every vision needs a concrete game plan. While it’s vital that you stay adaptable and open to change, creating structure allows you to hit milestones seamlessly and pivot more gracefully when plans fall through.

“I use a few strategies for creating success without fear or compromise. It requires a combination of your mindset, personal strategy, goals, and how you’re going to take action.” said Beckerman. She listed nine questions to challenge our thinking and guide us through every step of self-reflection.

9 Beckerman points to guide your career transformation: 

• Does the company or role align with your vision? 
• Will the experience allow you to embrace failure and disappointment? 
• Can you stay true to your values?
• Can you set boundaries and have people respect them? 
• Are you allowed to take creative risks?
• Will you be able to learn continuously? 
• Will you have the support you need to succeed?
• Do you allow yourself to practice self-compassion? 
• How do you celebrate your accomplishments?

Watch the webinar! 

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