Navigating a Career Change

"Reigniting my career meant an unexpected leap from doubt to daring."

Elena, 38, Former Finance Professional

After a decade in finance, Elena dreamed of launching a sustainable fashion startup but felt paralyzed by impostor syndrome. As a woman transitioning from a corporate role to entrepreneurship, she faced skepticism from investors who questioned her expertise in a new field, often assuming her finance background lacked creative relevance. She also struggled to build a network in the fashion industry, where her ideas were frequently dismissed as "unrealistic" by male-dominated startup circles. Juggling family responsibilities as a single mother added pressure, leaving her unsure how to lead a team or secure partnerships. Elena's confidence waned, and she feared her bold career pivot would fail before it began.

Journey with Architecting Collaboration:
Desperate for a breakthrough, Elena reluctantly joined the "Reignite" retreat, skeptical that a structured program could address her chaotic transition. She expected a generic pep talk, not the deep introspection that awaited her. The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) process began with a reflective exercise that felt daunting—she wasn't used to dissecting her fears so openly. The turning point came with the creation of SSM rich pictures, an activity she initially dismissed as "arts and crafts." Elena sketched her current world: herself as a small, overwhelmed figure surrounded by towering investors and a fragmented network, with dashed lines representing her disconnected ideas and family obligations. She added storm clouds labelled "doubt" and "bias," surprised by how vividly her isolation and external pressures emerged on paper.

What happened next was unexpected. As the facilitator guided her through interpreting the rich picture, Elena saw her system in a new light. She realised her impostor syndrome wasn't just personal—it was amplified by the gender biases and systemic barriers she faced. The visual shifted her perspective: the fragmented lines weren't failures but opportunities for connection. She hadn't anticipated this revelation, and it hit her emotionally—she cried, then laughed, marvelling at how a simple drawing exposed what months of self-doubt had hidden.

With this insight, Elena used stakeholder mapping to identify allies—mentors in sustainable fashion and supportive peers, whom she'd overlooked. The rich picture evolved, with a bridge emerging to link her finance skills to her new venture, symbolizing a newfound confidence. During the retreat, she practised inclusive decision-making with her founding team of three, ensuring diverse voices shaped the business model, and refined her pitch to highlight her unique background. A surprise role-play session with the facilitator, where she faced mock investors, boosted her assertiveness—she hadn't expected to enjoy confronting her fears so directly. Architecting Collaboration also helped her negotiate flexible work arrangements, a solution she hadn't considered, easing her family pressures and empowering her to lead authentically.

Outcome:
Within six months, Elena launched her startup, securing two key partnerships with eco-friendly suppliers, a result of her polished pitch and expanded network. Her team's collaborative input led to a unique product line that gained early traction, and she was invited to speak at a women-in-entrepreneurship summit. The retreat's unexpected impact lingered—Elena kept her rich picture as a reminder of how seeing her system differently turned doubt into determination. Her startup became a beacon for women pivoting careers, proving her doubters wrong.

About SSM

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is a powerful approach that uses visual tools like rich pictures to map complex relationships and uncover hidden dynamics. It helps leaders, like Priya, reframe challenges and design inclusive solutions tailored to their unique contexts.

About the Author

Paul Nunesdea is the English pen name of Paulo Nunes de Abreu, an IAF Certified™ Facilitator, Master of Ceremonies, author, and publisher of the Architecting Collaboration book series. He designs and facilitates high-impact events for corporations, public institutions, and civic organisations across Europe and beyond.

As the curator of Architecting Collaboration, Paul writes about the intersection of collaboration, facilitation, and digital transformation, drawing from decades of practical experience and system thinking. He is also the co-founder of Debate Exímio, which serves as a hub for innovation in meeting design and participatory processes.

In the health data space, Paul leads the Health Data Forum, a UK-registered charity advancing ethical AI adoption and digital health transformation. He spearheads the Data First, AI Later movement and manages a curated network of independent consultants specialising in health data governance and AI strategy.