Xiang’s Story: From Consulting to Product Manager: The Inner Journey Behind Career Transformation

In the "One Hundred Ways to Evolution" podcast series, 'Transformation Stories', interviews ordinary people about their transformative journeys. Each person walks their unique hero's journey.

In the sixth episode, we invited my coachee, Xiang. After graduating from UK, Xiang worked in management consulting in Shenzhen for many years. During our coaching, she had just quit her job to explore a new career direction. By looking inward to discover what she truly wanted and feeling her authentic self, she successfully transitioned and found a job that matched her interests and strengths — a Product Manager for a SaaS platform.

She said, "People my age are confused and complaining; those older think differently. Relying on oneself, it's easy to evade facing the questions. Zoey’s coaching gave me 'aha' moments of awakening and visibility, which I could immediately apply to my challenges."

If you're curious about how she achieved her inner transformation and career transition, listen to this story. I believe it will inspire you!

——Zoey

Listen to her stories in the Podcast “100 Ways to Evolution”!

After Quitting, Xiangzi's Unexpected Encounter with Zoey

My name is Xiang. After graduating from UK, I worked in management consulting in Shenzhen for many years and am now a Product Manager at a SaaS platform and the host of the "Wanna Ask" podcast. I had just quit my consulting job before starting coaching.

In 2023, after quitting twice, I felt deeply lost, like being in a forest but seeing only fog. A voice in my head started asking, "Should I talk to a Coach?"

I once thought I'd become a partner in a consulting firm, but I left; I thought I wanted to join a startup and do international business, but I left again. What do I really want to do? I was confused. I found Zoey the afternoon of my second resignation, hoping to find a direction in our conversations.

I still remember my first session with Coach Zoey. She said, "You seem to enjoy making others happy." I don’t remember her exact words, but at that moment, I decided to start coaching with Zoey. She instantly saw many contradictions within me: wanting freedom but seeking others' approval; wanting to be authentic but afraid of loss, often compromising to comfort others. Nearly ten coaching sessions peeled back layers of my heart, bringing me closer to my true self.

Finding Inner Certainty in Uncertain Times

Before coaching, I tried self-analysis and questioning. But I realized I tended to beautify answers or run away when getting to the crux. In coaching, I couldn't escape. Each time Zoey made me stay with my limiting beliefs or confront challenging scenarios, it was scary at first, but breaking through the fear brought me closer to my true self, to really see and understand her.

While exploring my future direction, I remember choosing cards to find answers. I chose a signpost on a log bridge pointing in different directions, and a backstage ballet dancer, though I wanted to be the one on stage. That conversation often led to epiphanies, moments of "seeing myself."

My self-confidence wasn’t always high, but through coaching and self-awareness, it has improved significantly. Knowing who I am and my principles reduced my internal struggles, especially finding inner certainty in uncertain times.

Truly Believing in My Inherent Sufficiency

We may need to wear a shell in certain situations, but never lose the true self inside.

Initially, I wanted to be brave under male dominance. But by the end of coaching, I realized it’s unrealistic to always show my true self. What matters is, regardless of the "shell" I wear, the real me inside doesn’t get lost, belittled, or whipped by external judgments.

I used to lower myself in front of male authority or self-flagellate after criticism. I thought I should do the opposite: be completely myself, resist. After coaching, I realized this was just moving from one extreme to another. There is a middle ground.

For me, maintaining this balance and awareness that my true self is good enough, capable of facing challenges, learning, and creating beauty, is still challenging. As a sensitive person, the "me inside the shell" is easily influenced. Yet, I want to try, to stay aware and clear that the real me is sufficient.

Effort Without Attachment to Outcome

After the coaching, I wish to continue creating from the heart.

Through many coaching sessions and daily awareness, I’ve gained a clearer understanding of my values (freedom, creativity, balance, reliability) and how they influence my decisions. For instance:

Creativity: When I create or innovate, I quickly enter a flow state with a strong sense of achievement.

Balance: I have my own balance point in dealing with money and balancing work and life.

My future plans include actively developing my podcast, which is my own creation. I want to see how far I can go with my best efforts. Secondly, I aim to be a product manager with my own portfolio, proudly saying, "I built this product, and users love it." Lastly, I'm delving deeper into coaching and psychology.

This transformation story exemplifies the profound impact of coaching on personal and professional growth, highlighting the journey from confusion to clarity and from dependence to self-reliance.