Time to Pivot? New Year Can Lead to New Career Plans
You may not agree always with the lyrics to Sheryl Crow’s 1996 super hit, “A Change Will Do You Good,” but you can try to make the best of change that happens to your career—even ones you do not instigate. Many upheavals happened to millions of women’s jobs, responsibilities and career paths in 2025. And pivoting with purpose may indeed do you good.
In 2025, there were 1.17 million jobs eliminated, according to Times Now News, the worst loss since 2020. The largest losses were in government, at 300,000 jobs, another 140,000 in tech, 90,000in retail, 70,000 in services, 38,000 in telecommunications, 34,000 in food and 29,000 in nonprofits. Many of these sectors are traditionally employers of women, CBS News reports.
The Power To Start Over Without Starting From Nothing By Mary Sahagun
I began my career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Singapore Airlines, working in an environment where precision, structure, and accountability shaped every decision. Aviation trained me to communicate clearly, follow systems, and solve problems methodically. I expected to build my entire
professional life there, but the pandemic forced a halt I could not control. The industry stalled, and suddenly, so did the path I had spent years pursuing. What first felt like a setback became the moment I reconsidered what I wanted my work to stand for.
I Call BS: No, McKinsey et.al, Women Don’t Lack Ambition
Steam is coming out of my ears as I read the
latest“Women in the Workplace” 2025 report from McKinsey and LeanIn.org.
The study mostly affirms the pervasive and systemic biases that are designed, whether intentional or not, to keep women in their place.
Yet it concludes the problem causing stagnation of women’s trajectory into leadership positions in companies is that while there are still systemic barriers, the main reason is that women have an “ambition gap.”
Don’t miss the next Leading Out Loud LinkedIn Live with Gloria Feldt, take The Lead co-founder and president and Take The Lead Power Tool Champion Dr. Tanu Ghosh in their lively conversation, "Power
Tool #6: Wear The Shirt (The Truthseeker)."
You will learn about Tanu’s remarkable initiative to eliminate gender based violence globally, which she does in addition to her role as a technology executive. Join us December 18 at noon MST/ 2pm EST when we can take your comments and questions in real time, or register to watch the replay. We’ll also post it on our LinkedIn business page.Watch here
Did you miss the recent LinkedIn Live when Felicia Davis interviewed Power Tool Champion Dr. Winter
Okoth about her inspiring accomplishments to eradicate diseases? Watch the replay here.
12 Days of
Audacity
This season, we’re sharing 12 Days of Audacity—daily reflections on what courage actually looks like when careers, lives, and plans shift—especially in moments of unexpected change. Your audacious gift helps more women speak hard truths, hold their ground, and keep moving forward when the path isn’t clear.
A new study by JP Morgan Chase lays out the critical shortfalls in the U.S. economy in 2026 and how to fix them. The study shows "America’s security challenges often focus on equipment, investment, and supply chains, but a deeper issue persists: a shortage of skilled workers. This talent deficit limits the nation’s ability to build, compete, and protect its interests. Workforce shortages are rising in sectors critical to resiliency, including manufacturing, AI, and cybersecurity." Solutions include: "Strengthen and scale apprenticeships ;Support employer-based training; Advance industry/sector partnerships; Support public-private partnerships; Address the digital skills divide."
Take The Lead prepares, develops, inspires, and propels all women of all diversities and intersectionalities to take their fair and equal share of leadership positions across all sectors by 2025. Learn more at www.taketheleadwomen.com.
