Feb 5, 2026
“Don’t confuse comfort with alignment. Just because something is familiar, stable, or impressive on paper doesn’t mean it’s meant for who you’re becoming or what the universe has in store for you.”
What happens when you land the job that seemed perfect only to find, deep down, it isn’t right at all? In this episode, Cara-Lyn talks about the daunting process of leaving a high-profile role that simply wasn’t a fit, and how that closed door became fuel for reinvention.
From wrongly ignoring her intuition, through the physical toll of staying somewhere misaligned, to finally making the leap into entrepreneurship Cara-Lyn shares how being forced out was the best thing that ever happened to her. Now, she’s built a thriving leadership development business, continues to grow, and is on a mission to help others trust their gut and step into possibility.
If you’re in a period of transition or questioning your current path, this conversation is well worth listening to.
Highlights:
00:00 Why growth often follows tough endings
02:01 The dream job that wasn’t and what happened next
06:21 The physical signs it’s time to move on
08:23 Why leaving (even not by your choice) can be the best thing for you
11:06 The power of mindset in reframing “bad decisions”
13:51 Listening to intuition even when it goes against logic
15:01 Taking the leap: from layoff to launching a business
17:39 Building up confidence through experience
18:44 The difference relationships made in her new path
24:12 Why honest conversations with leaders matter
26:43 How to know you’re on the right track
28:13 What doors are next: new programmes, speaking gigs, and more
Cara’s Change Toolkit:
Soundtracks: ‘Rain’ by The Teskey Brothers and Recomposed: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons by Max Richter
Book: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg – for building better relationships and expressing what you need
One piece of advice:
“Trust your intuition and don’t confuse comfort with alignment.
Ask yourself who do I want to be on the other side of this
transition? The hallway between closed doors is your moment to
decide who you become.”
About Cara Lyn:
Cara-Lyn Giovanniello or CLG 😉, is an ICF-certified CPCC and PCC from San Francisco, California, and it is her belief that impactful leadership is a choice we each get to make. Cara-lyn believes the keys to success and fulfillment stem from emotional intelligence, tough love, and commitment to active development. Cara-lyn’s work is about how to master emotional, relational, and strategic intelligence towards creating deep influence and impact in your leadership, and throughout your organization.
Work with Eleanor
Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as ‘Game changing’ ‘Brilliant’ ‘A must read’ ‘The best book on change’.
Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.
Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.
Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.
Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.
Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the messiness of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.
Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/
Website: www.another-door-opens.com
Produced by winteraudio.co.uk