Meet Michelle

My name is Michelle DeStefano, and I am a Registered Nurse with over 30 years in progressive leadership roles. I am an executive, business development coach, and consultant with a positive track record in leading individuals and teams to actualize their true potential. Despite my many professional achievements and positive performance appraisals, and large annual bonuses for a job well done, I encountered career challenges and setbacks. Specifically, I have been passed over for promotion even when promised organizational mobility. I have been in positions where I was devalued. I was even threatened about my longevity in a position despite excellent performance appraisals and annual bonuses showing I exceeded organizational performance: totally blind-sided! Been there, done that, and ... I live to tell and stand the test of time. 

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So how did these career challenges and setbacks make me feel? At first, I blamed myself, even though my rational self said that I did the best I could and I gave them all of me. My irrational self said, "You're a failure, what were you thinking? You should have compromised your values more. Keep your head in the game!" I was full of negative self-talk. My belief in myself was compromised, my lack of trust in others was sparse, my emotions ran amok leaving me crippled and unable to take the steps to redefine myself and to achieve full professional and personal outcomes. Can you relate? 

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So then, what did I do after mourning for several months? (Yes, I did allow Drama Queen Michelle to breakthrough). But Drama Queen wasn't going to help me blaze a new path and find myself. So, I invested in me! I hired a coach who drew out my inner genius, my leadership style, my courage and helped me realign my skillset. My coach stimulated me to re-engage in order to pursue my calling in life. Namely, mentorship methodology to develop and support future dynamic professional women inclusive of my leading by personal example. I replaced the word failure with learning opportunity. I replaced labeling myself with a formal title and pursuing my passion and newly recognized purpose in life. I re-evaluated what success means to me. What did it look like? To me, success was no longer a title, but serving my calling and passion. Yes, the former Michelle was back, forging ahead and replacing my negative thoughts with positive thoughts about who Michelle is and who she wants to continue to be. Guess what, I SOARED to new career heights. I stepped out of my comfort zone and landed on my feet!