A woman forced out of a toxic workplace negotiated a dignified exit with Lynne Levy's coaching, then landed two VP offers within weeks. The client used her notice period strategically, received praise from her former boss, and moved into a role aligned with her values.
Tell me about the new job.
Oh, it's, it's better than I could have imagined. I just wish I would have jumped sooner. But I've been reflecting on how much you helped me, because more than you know, Lynn, because— oh, thank you. I, I'm so blessed to have found you because you have— you were just always there for me. And, and then I got the two offers from big national companies at VP level at my age. I'm old and, and so, and a woman, and in this job market. So I'm really proud of that, and I negotiated.
That's right. How did your exit go?
It was really interesting, uh, because I grabbed my boss. He was going to leave at quarter to 5. On a Monday and I said, I'm resigning. And he said, well, let's talk and went in his office and shut the door. And he said, do you have, are you supposed to have appointments in the branch tomorrow? And I said, yes. And he said, you don't have to do this, but would you consider taking those appointments and that way I can sort things out with HR? And I said, sure. Sure, I can do that for you. So I took those appointments and I did a really good job and drummed up some business. And I tell you that because then I had to go on garden leave for 30 days, you know, still employed, but nobody ever called me. Just so he called me online and said, this is your last day of employment. And I just want to tell you that, uh, the big boss, the one who wrote the nasty texts about me and other people, He said, I saw him this morning and I told him how you, I don't know, how classy it was the way that you went out, that you took those appointments and you drummed up business. And, and that says a lot about you.
You made the right choice big time.
Yeah, I did. Definitely. So I'm just happy and grateful every day. And it, it feels so different not to dread coming to work on a Sunday, and I realized how much it was weighing on me until after I resigned.
Imagine having a life outside of work. When we first met, what was going on?
I was getting pressured from management because they thought that I wasn't doing things right. It wasn't that the clients knew the difference or that I wasn't getting the results. I just wasn't doing things in the right order in appointments. And they were nitpicking me for little things, and they were observing my appointments and finding things that I did wrong, and it was really stressful. And that's when I hired you, and you said, they're trying to force you out. And I thought, no, I've been here so long, and I'm this level, and my numbers are good. You said, doesn't matter, I've seen this so many times. And then that little storm passed and I thought I was going to be fine. And then lo and behold, you were right. And they kept writing me, writing me, writing me. And I thought that I could just stick with it because I would maybe 2 to 5 years from retirement. I just wanted to stay and change is hard and scary and But my bubble was burst because that company was my life, and I worked lots of hours, and I tried really hard, and I got promoted and all this stuff, and it didn't matter. I just— I was— I started talking with people who had gotten forced out before me because it's a pattern, and they said, you're not one of the the boys. It was definitely a bro culture. Yeah. And if you're not one of the bros, then they want you out. Oh, and update: last Friday, one of the bros got promoted to my former role. So I started— because I could see the writing on the wall, and you, you had told me, you've got this. And you'll have a job within 2 months and you'll be fine. You've got experience and credentials and you'll be fine. And I clung to those words when I was scared and stressed out because on one hand, when I was at work, I was getting beaten down. And then I'd go out and interview and be my very best confident self. And so that's where your support and your guidance and your faith in me really, really helped. Plus your from the meetings that I attended, the SCARF training to help me stay centered and grounded and calm when I was meeting with management and they were handing it to me, be held wrong. That I'll have forever. I still carry those things with me from SCARF. And then You helped me with my resume and you went all in. You really made yourself available to help me in detail. You were tough on me and I was so tired of working on my resume, but it was so good. My current role, my boss, when I interviewed, I only interviewed once and I met with him and his right-hand person who's been there for 28 years. And he pretty much spent the whole time selling me on the position. He really didn't ask very many questions. He said, I've heard good things about you. I peeked. And yeah, former colleague who is here now told me that he said good— he said, I said good things about you, and I don't always do that with everybody from that firm. So I'm really grateful for that.
Amazing.
Yeah.
So how would you— if somebody were to say How would you describe how Lynn coaches?
If you're harsh, I always knew you cared, and I, and I come to find— came to find out that you were right. Even when I didn't want you to be right, you were right in a helpful way. So yeah, I refer you whenever I can because you— that because you know you have your finger on the pulse and what you say works and it matters. And you really care. That's the biggest thing is that you care deeply.
Yeah, I do.
And you, and you know us and you remember us and, and you make yourself available. Remember on a Sunday I was all freaked out, you just spent 10 minutes talking to me. I couldn't believe it. I was in tears and you're— you took the time to talk me down off the ledge and I really appreciate that.
Thank you.
You believed in me when I didn't believe in me. Yes.
You're a total rock star. Two job offers within weeks. Two in this market.
Got me so far and above a better job than I could have imagined because I had the courage and I had that killer resume that you helped me What excites you about the future? I get to recreate my practice and meet new people and get all this support to meet my goals— exceed my goals, I should say. And just so relieved to be more relaxed and peaceful and optimistic, be in a positive environment.
So not only was it a job. It was the right job and the right culture and the right leadership team.
