Asking the Question That Changes Everything
What I Learned From Growing With a Career Coach
By Priscila November 2025
I met Lauren earlier this year, shortly after joining the Monday Girl community. At the time, I was navigating questions around career direction, identity, and what it really means to choose growth intentionally. I met her for a conversation. And over time, those conversations became anchors.
Lauren is a career coach today, but her journey did not begin there. She previously worked at Scotiabank, where her career centered on people, structure, and long-term development. After years of working inside an organization and supporting others through growth from within, she made a decisive shift. She chose to impact lives in a different way, by helping people find alignment between who they are and what they do.
What stood out to me immediately was not just what she knew, but how clearly she communicated it.
One of the very first things she told me that stayed with me was this:
“You need to do your research and see if the company’s values actually match yours.”
It sounds simple. But in practice, it is one of the most skipped steps in career decision-making. We often apply for roles based on titles, compensation, or urgency. Lauren reframed that process as an alignment exercise rather than a transactional one. It made me pause and reflect on how often we chase opportunity without truly asking whether it fits the life we want to build.
Another moment that deeply shifted my thinking came when we spoke about internal growth. I was expressing uncertainty about whether certain opportunities only existed outside my current environment. Her response was direct:
“Sometimes the opportunity you’re looking for outside your company is just a question away from your leader.”
That sentence changed how I view communication with leadership. It disrupted the idea that growth must always be external and reminded me that visibility, dialogue, and courage to ask often matter just as much as the market itself. Growth is not only about moving on. Sometimes it is about leaning in.
During that same conversation, she encouraged me to ask for a mentor and not to be afraid to share my thoughts. That advice carried weight because it removed the pressure of needing to be ready first. It positioned mentorship as something you grow into, not something you earn once you feel “good enough.”
Since that initial conversation, we have crossed paths a few more times throughout the year. Each encounter added a new layer to what I was already learning. And somewhere along the way, our connection deepened beyond professional guidance.
Lauren and I share a similar personal background. We both come from different countries. We both left family behind to build our lives in Canada. That shared migration experience created an unspoken understanding between us. The courage to leave, the loneliness that sometimes follows, the reinvention that becomes necessary. It shaped how deeply I received her guidance because she did not only speak from theory. She spoke from lived experience.
One of the most meaningful moments we shared was attending an event together. During one of the talks, a phrase was shared that immediately stayed with me:
“There are only three answers to what we want in life. Yes. Not now. There is something better.”
That idea landed deeply. It reframed rejection not as failure, but as redirection. It also removed the urgency that often turns desire into pressure. What stayed with me most was the reminder that timing is not something we control completely. What we do control is our willingness to step forward and name what we want.
That evening, I realized something important. The universe may not always respond on our timeline, but it does respond to courage. And that courage often begins with speaking.
Lauren gave me that permission. Through her presence, her advice, and her consistency, she showed me that asking is not weakness. It is alignment in motion.
Her work centers around helping people identify where their values, skills, and desires intersect. While I will not list client-specific outcomes for privacy reasons, I can say confidently that her impact is visible through the confidence and direction of the people she supports.
What I value most about Lauren’s mentorship is that it does not come from a place of control. It comes from empowerment. She does not prescribe paths. She helps people build the courage to choose their own.
Since meeting her, I have become more intentional with the questions I ask. More confident about voicing what I want, even when I am still forming it. And more aware of how often growth is tied not to opportunity itself, but to permission.
She reminded me that research is not just about companies. It is about values. She reminded me that leadership conversations are not doors to fear. They are bridges to possibility. And she reminded me that mentors are not mythical figures. Sometimes they are one brave question away.
What makes Lauren’s guidance especially effective is that it operates at the intersection of strategy and psychology. Her advice about researching companies and values is not simply practical. It is protective. It helps people avoid misalignment that can quietly erode confidence over time.
Her perspective on internal mobility challenges a popular narrative that career growth only happens by leaving. By encouraging dialogue with leadership, she restores agency to the individual and responsibility to the organization. That reframing is powerful because it positions career development as a shared effort rather than a silent exit.
Her encouragement to seek mentorship directly also challenges social hesitation. Many people wait for validation before asking. Lauren reframes mentorship as something initiated through clarity rather than permission. That subtle shift lowers emotional barriers and accelerates learning.
What stands out most is how seamlessly her coaching blends lived immigrant experience with professional development. That dual lens allows her to support not only career navigation, but identity navigation. For people building new lives, new careers, and new definitions of success, that perspective is not just helpful. It is grounding.
I consider myself genuinely lucky to grow alongside Lauren. Not just because of what she teaches, but because of how she lives those lessons. With courage. With clarity. With compassion for the uncertainty that often surrounds growth.
She did not give me answers. She gave me better questions. And sometimes, that is exactly what changes everything.
Credentials
Lauren R.
Career Coach - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachlaurenritchie/
Monday Girl community mentor and speaker
(Shared with permission and respect for privacy)
Author
Written by Priscila, reflecting on growth through career shifts, community, and lived experience.
By Priscila November 2025
I met Lauren earlier this year, shortly after joining the Monday Girl community. At the time, I was navigating questions around career direction, identity, and what it really means to choose growth intentionally. I met her for a conversation. And over time, those conversations became anchors.
Lauren is a career coach today, but her journey did not begin there. She previously worked at Scotiabank, where her career centered on people, structure, and long-term development. After years of working inside an organization and supporting others through growth from within, she made a decisive shift. She chose to impact lives in a different way, by helping people find alignment between who they are and what they do.
What stood out to me immediately was not just what she knew, but how clearly she communicated it.
One of the very first things she told me that stayed with me was this:
“You need to do your research and see if the company’s values actually match yours.”
It sounds simple. But in practice, it is one of the most skipped steps in career decision-making. We often apply for roles based on titles, compensation, or urgency. Lauren reframed that process as an alignment exercise rather than a transactional one. It made me pause and reflect on how often we chase opportunity without truly asking whether it fits the life we want to build.
Another moment that deeply shifted my thinking came when we spoke about internal growth. I was expressing uncertainty about whether certain opportunities only existed outside my current environment. Her response was direct:
“Sometimes the opportunity you’re looking for outside your company is just a question away from your leader.”
That sentence changed how I view communication with leadership. It disrupted the idea that growth must always be external and reminded me that visibility, dialogue, and courage to ask often matter just as much as the market itself. Growth is not only about moving on. Sometimes it is about leaning in.
During that same conversation, she encouraged me to ask for a mentor and not to be afraid to share my thoughts. That advice carried weight because it removed the pressure of needing to be ready first. It positioned mentorship as something you grow into, not something you earn once you feel “good enough.”
Since that initial conversation, we have crossed paths a few more times throughout the year. Each encounter added a new layer to what I was already learning. And somewhere along the way, our connection deepened beyond professional guidance.
Lauren and I share a similar personal background. We both come from different countries. We both left family behind to build our lives in Canada. That shared migration experience created an unspoken understanding between us. The courage to leave, the loneliness that sometimes follows, the reinvention that becomes necessary. It shaped how deeply I received her guidance because she did not only speak from theory. She spoke from lived experience.
One of the most meaningful moments we shared was attending an event together. During one of the talks, a phrase was shared that immediately stayed with me:
“There are only three answers to what we want in life. Yes. Not now. There is something better.”
That idea landed deeply. It reframed rejection not as failure, but as redirection. It also removed the urgency that often turns desire into pressure. What stayed with me most was the reminder that timing is not something we control completely. What we do control is our willingness to step forward and name what we want.
That evening, I realized something important. The universe may not always respond on our timeline, but it does respond to courage. And that courage often begins with speaking.
Lauren gave me that permission. Through her presence, her advice, and her consistency, she showed me that asking is not weakness. It is alignment in motion.
Her work centers around helping people identify where their values, skills, and desires intersect. While I will not list client-specific outcomes for privacy reasons, I can say confidently that her impact is visible through the confidence and direction of the people she supports.
What I value most about Lauren’s mentorship is that it does not come from a place of control. It comes from empowerment. She does not prescribe paths. She helps people build the courage to choose their own.
Since meeting her, I have become more intentional with the questions I ask. More confident about voicing what I want, even when I am still forming it. And more aware of how often growth is tied not to opportunity itself, but to permission.
She reminded me that research is not just about companies. It is about values. She reminded me that leadership conversations are not doors to fear. They are bridges to possibility. And she reminded me that mentors are not mythical figures. Sometimes they are one brave question away.
What makes Lauren’s guidance especially effective is that it operates at the intersection of strategy and psychology. Her advice about researching companies and values is not simply practical. It is protective. It helps people avoid misalignment that can quietly erode confidence over time.
Her perspective on internal mobility challenges a popular narrative that career growth only happens by leaving. By encouraging dialogue with leadership, she restores agency to the individual and responsibility to the organization. That reframing is powerful because it positions career development as a shared effort rather than a silent exit.
Her encouragement to seek mentorship directly also challenges social hesitation. Many people wait for validation before asking. Lauren reframes mentorship as something initiated through clarity rather than permission. That subtle shift lowers emotional barriers and accelerates learning.
What stands out most is how seamlessly her coaching blends lived immigrant experience with professional development. That dual lens allows her to support not only career navigation, but identity navigation. For people building new lives, new careers, and new definitions of success, that perspective is not just helpful. It is grounding.
I consider myself genuinely lucky to grow alongside Lauren. Not just because of what she teaches, but because of how she lives those lessons. With courage. With clarity. With compassion for the uncertainty that often surrounds growth.
She did not give me answers. She gave me better questions. And sometimes, that is exactly what changes everything.
Credentials
Lauren R.
Career Coach - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachlaurenritchie/
Monday Girl community mentor and speaker
(Shared with permission and respect for privacy)
Author
Written by Priscila, reflecting on growth through career shifts, community, and lived experience.
By Priscila November 2025
I met Lauren earlier this year, shortly after joining the Monday Girl community. At the time, I was navigating questions around career direction, identity, and what it really means to choose growth intentionally. I met her for a conversation. And over time, those conversations became anchors.
Lauren is a career coach today, but her journey did not begin there. She previously worked at Scotiabank, where her career centered on people, structure, and long-term development. After years of working inside an organization and supporting others through growth from within, she made a decisive shift. She chose to impact lives in a different way, by helping people find alignment between who they are and what they do.
What stood out to me immediately was not just what she knew, but how clearly she communicated it.
One of the very first things she told me that stayed with me was this:
“You need to do your research and see if the company’s values actually match yours.”
It sounds simple. But in practice, it is one of the most skipped steps in career decision-making. We often apply for roles based on titles, compensation, or urgency. Lauren reframed that process as an alignment exercise rather than a transactional one. It made me pause and reflect on how often we chase opportunity without truly asking whether it fits the life we want to build.
Another moment that deeply shifted my thinking came when we spoke about internal growth. I was expressing uncertainty about whether certain opportunities only existed outside my current environment. Her response was direct:
“Sometimes the opportunity you’re looking for outside your company is just a question away from your leader.”
That sentence changed how I view communication with leadership. It disrupted the idea that growth must always be external and reminded me that visibility, dialogue, and courage to ask often matter just as much as the market itself. Growth is not only about moving on. Sometimes it is about leaning in.
During that same conversation, she encouraged me to ask for a mentor and not to be afraid to share my thoughts. That advice carried weight because it removed the pressure of needing to be ready first. It positioned mentorship as something you grow into, not something you earn once you feel “good enough.”
Since that initial conversation, we have crossed paths a few more times throughout the year. Each encounter added a new layer to what I was already learning. And somewhere along the way, our connection deepened beyond professional guidance.
Lauren and I share a similar personal background. We both come from different countries. We both left family behind to build our lives in Canada. That shared migration experience created an unspoken understanding between us. The courage to leave, the loneliness that sometimes follows, the reinvention that becomes necessary. It shaped how deeply I received her guidance because she did not only speak from theory. She spoke from lived experience.
One of the most meaningful moments we shared was attending an event together. During one of the talks, a phrase was shared that immediately stayed with me:
“There are only three answers to what we want in life. Yes. Not now. There is something better.”
That idea landed deeply. It reframed rejection not as failure, but as redirection. It also removed the urgency that often turns desire into pressure. What stayed with me most was the reminder that timing is not something we control completely. What we do control is our willingness to step forward and name what we want.
That evening, I realized something important. The universe may not always respond on our timeline, but it does respond to courage. And that courage often begins with speaking.
Lauren gave me that permission. Through her presence, her advice, and her consistency, she showed me that asking is not weakness. It is alignment in motion.
Her work centers around helping people identify where their values, skills, and desires intersect. While I will not list client-specific outcomes for privacy reasons, I can say confidently that her impact is visible through the confidence and direction of the people she supports.
What I value most about Lauren’s mentorship is that it does not come from a place of control. It comes from empowerment. She does not prescribe paths. She helps people build the courage to choose their own.
Since meeting her, I have become more intentional with the questions I ask. More confident about voicing what I want, even when I am still forming it. And more aware of how often growth is tied not to opportunity itself, but to permission.
She reminded me that research is not just about companies. It is about values. She reminded me that leadership conversations are not doors to fear. They are bridges to possibility. And she reminded me that mentors are not mythical figures. Sometimes they are one brave question away.
What makes Lauren’s guidance especially effective is that it operates at the intersection of strategy and psychology. Her advice about researching companies and values is not simply practical. It is protective. It helps people avoid misalignment that can quietly erode confidence over time.
Her perspective on internal mobility challenges a popular narrative that career growth only happens by leaving. By encouraging dialogue with leadership, she restores agency to the individual and responsibility to the organization. That reframing is powerful because it positions career development as a shared effort rather than a silent exit.
Her encouragement to seek mentorship directly also challenges social hesitation. Many people wait for validation before asking. Lauren reframes mentorship as something initiated through clarity rather than permission. That subtle shift lowers emotional barriers and accelerates learning.
What stands out most is how seamlessly her coaching blends lived immigrant experience with professional development. That dual lens allows her to support not only career navigation, but identity navigation. For people building new lives, new careers, and new definitions of success, that perspective is not just helpful. It is grounding.
I consider myself genuinely lucky to grow alongside Lauren. Not just because of what she teaches, but because of how she lives those lessons. With courage. With clarity. With compassion for the uncertainty that often surrounds growth.
She did not give me answers. She gave me better questions. And sometimes, that is exactly what changes everything.
Credentials
Lauren R.
Career Coach - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachlaurenritchie/
Monday Girl community mentor and speaker
(Shared with permission and respect for privacy)
Author
Written by Priscila, reflecting on growth through career shifts, community, and lived experience.
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