Jaime and Angela discuss an often-taboo subject of crying in the workplace. They explore personal experiences, societal expectations, and the emotional intelligence associated with crying. Angela shares her journey of unlearning the shame associated with crying, while Jaime emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness and authenticity in leadership. The conversation highlights strategies for managing emotions in professional settings and normalizes the act of crying as a natural human experience. They also share tips on what to do when you find yourself crying in your workday, and how to show up for others who may be shedding tears.

This week, Angela invites Jaime to share the heart behind her work as a leadership coach and why so many of us misunderstand what coaching is meant to do. They unpack why coaching isn’t about fixing, but about thriving, partnership, presence, and seeing yourself more clearly. Through honest conversation, they explore how coaching supports boundary‑setting, burnout recovery, confidence building, and the move toward your “next level” self. They also address common barriers to coaching, such as time and money, and provide insights on how to overcome these challenges.

Connect with Jaime

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmwaterfield/
Aspire Consulting LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspire-consulting-llc-mi/
Aspire Consulting Website: https://aspireconsultingllc.my.canva.site/

In this episode, Angela and Jaime delve into their non-linear career paths, sharing personal stories of resilience and growth.

Angela recounts her journey from a passionate high school student in film and television to facing significant personal challenges, including homelessness, before ultimately finding her footing in marketing.

Jaime shares her own experiences, illustrating how she navigated various roles in technology and sales, and the strategic decisions that led to her success.

Both speakers reflect on the value of networking, mentorship, and the courage to seize opportunities, providing listeners with actionable insights for their own career development.

In the inaugural episode of "Unlearning in Progress," co-hosts Jaime Waterfield and Angela Cope delve into the complexities of success, particularly for women who have achieved traditional markers of success yet feel unfulfilled.

They explore the societal narratives surrounding ambition and worth, emphasizing that true success often diverges from external validation.

The conversation highlights the importance of internal alignment and personal growth, suggesting that success should be redefined as a feeling rather than a checklist of accomplishments.

Jaime shares her journey of realizing that despite her professional achievements, she felt unhappy and disconnected, prompting her to seek mindfulness and self-awareness. Angela echoes this sentiment, discussing how childhood conditioning shapes our perceptions of success and the necessity of unlearning these ingrained beliefs to find genuine fulfillment.

In this conversation, Jaime and Angela discuss the concepts of hustle and grind, exploring the implications of grinding at work on mental health and productivity. They delve into the importance of recognizing burnout, setting boundaries, and the necessity of rest in a fast-paced work culture. The dialogue emphasizes the need to redefine work-life balance as harmony, focusing on the choices we make daily to align our work with our values and passions. The conversation concludes with reflections on finding purpose in work and the significance of taking micro-rests to enhance overall well-being.

In this conversation, Angela and Jaime explore the critical distinction between performance-based leadership and leading from a place of self-trust and authenticity. They discuss the importance of being aware of one's feelings and the impact of external pressures on decision-making. The dialogue emphasizes the journey towards authentic leadership, the significance of micro-decisions in building self-trust, and practical strategies for rewiring one's mindset to foster a more genuine leadership style. The episode concludes with actionable insights for listeners to cultivate self-trust and authenticity in their leadership roles.