We often hear, “Do what you love.”
But even when you enjoy the work, it’s hard to stay motivated—or even happy—if the environment clashes with your core values.
Recently, someone I coach came to me and said: ”I don’t feel engaged at work. I hold back in meetings, even when I know my input matters. I zone out at home too, even around my kids. I don’t feel like myself.”
At first glance, it sounded like a case of burnout or poor work-life balance.
As we dug deeper using a few coaching tools, the real issue started to reveal itself.
He didn’t feel safe at work, nor trusted his boss. Mistakes—big or small—were met with blame. Meanwhile, another member on the team was treated differently even for worse issues. Slowly and unconsciously, he started getting disengaged.
But this wasn’t always the case with him.
In a previous job, he worked longer hours but felt alive and confident. Took risks and delivered more. Why? Because he knew his boss and higher ups had his back. He felt respected, trusted, and safe. Even with less time at home, he was more present with his kids. He was happier.
The real issue? Misaligned values. The coachee deeply valued trust, fairness, and psychological safety—which were missing in his current environment.
The lesson? It’s not always about chasing your passion. Many times, it’s about standing by your values. If your workplace constantly clashes with what you believe in, it will show up in your energy, mood, and even your personal life.
