You've been following the rules, making safe choices, and building what looks like a stable career. So why does something feel so off? Here's the uncomfortable truth: the safety you've been optimizing for doesn't exist anymore—and playing it safe might be the riskiest career move you can make.

In this episode, I share why the old career playbook of stability, pensions, and predictable career ladders no longer works for Gen X professionals. You're already living with risk whether you acknowledge it or not. The only question is whether you'll take risks intentionally or let them happen to you.

I'm afraid the reality is harsh: avoiding risk doesn't avoid pain. It just trades acute discomfort for chronic suffering. The conversations you don't have build into toxic situations. The skills you don't develop become obsolescence. The change you don't make becomes a crisis.

But here's what this means for you: you have more control than you think. Choosing when and how to take calculated risks puts you in the driver's seat. I share my own journey of building a coaching business without a safety net—the excitement, the fear, and why staying comfortable would cost me more than any risk I could take.

What You'll Learn:

• Why traditional career safety is an illusion in today's workplace
• The real cost of avoiding calculated risks in your career
• How to distinguish between measured risk and recklessness
• Four practical ways to start taking intentional risks this quarter
• How to use "responsibility" as fuel instead of as an excuse for fear

Ready to write a story you actually chose? Listen now and discover why risk is the rent you pay for freedom.

#CareerRisk #GenXCareers #CareerChange #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #MidlifeCareerChange #CareerAutonomy #CalculatedRisk #CareerTransition #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerCoaching

I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified career coach, specializing in helping mid-stage professionals find the work that works for them. I'm sharing my thoughts on careers, and more, and how I can help you achieve your goals. Find out more at: https://www.richardtaliaferro.com

To get my weekly newsletter with more career tips and insights, click here: https://www.richardtaliaferro.com/emails

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're sensing something's off at work right now, you're not overthinking it. You're reading the room correctly—and that awareness is your most valuable asset heading into Q4 layoff season.

In this essential episode, career coach Richard Taliaferro draws on 26 years of newsroom experience to reveal the predictable patterns behind fourth-quarter workforce reductions. He explains why companies consistently make cuts before year-end and, more importantly, shares the exact framework you need to protect yourself.

You'll discover the five critical moves that separate reactive employees from strategic professionals:

Key Takeaways:

• Why "kill lists" (yes, that's what some companies call them) follow the same Q4 timeline across industries
• The three-hour preparation framework that transforms anxiety into confidence
• How to calculate your financial runway before you need it
• The psychology of preparedness and why it matters more than you think
• Why maintaining your network consistently beats desperate post-layoff outreach

Richard addresses the harsh realities of corporate contradictions with diplomatic firmness while providing practical, actionable steps you can take tonight. This isn't about living in fear—it's about refusing to be caught off-guard.

Whether the layoff happens to you or not, the confidence that comes from preparation changes everything. You'll sleep better, negotiate better, and make decisions from strategy rather than fear.

I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified career coach, specializing in helping mid-stage professionals find the work that works for them. I'm sharing my thoughts on careers, and more, and how I can help you achieve your goals. Find out more at: https://www.richardtaliaferro.com

To get my weekly newsletter with more career tips and insights, click here: https://www.richardtaliaferro.com/emails

#CareerCoaching #LayoffPreparation #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerStrategy #JobSecurity #WorkplaceStrategy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes the most important growth in your career happens underground—quietly, invisibly, and on its own timeline. In this short, reflective episode, Richard Taliaferro explores why real professional progress can’t be rushed, what it means to trust your season of development, and how to stay grounded when results feel slow.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, second-guessing your progress, or wondering when all your hard work will pay off, this one’s for you. You’ll learn how to recognize your “underground growth,” avoid the urge to test it too soon, and let your next chapter ripen naturally.

I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified career coach, specializing in helping mid-stage professionals find the work that works for them. I'm sharing my thoughts on careers, and more, and how I can help you achieve your goals. Find out more at: https://www.richardtaliaferro.com

To get my weekly newsletter with more career tips and insights, click here: https://www.richardtaliaferro.com/emails

career growth, midlife transitions, burnout recovery, professional reinvention, trusting the process

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.