The One Question That Reframes Any Career Decision

I’ve worked with leaders making big choices: change roles, take a project, start something new. The decision process is often messy — lists, pros and cons, sleepless nights.

One question has helped me and the people I coach:

Will this help me become more of who I want to be?

It’s deceptively simple. It shifts the focus from “Is this a good opportunity?” to “Is this right for me now?”

I used it when I left a CEO role to build Growth and Justice. On paper, staying made sense — stable income, big platform. But the work I wanted to do next required more independence and time to experiment.

This question works because it draws on identity and values, not just external markers. It makes the trade-offs clearer.

Next time you’re deciding, write your answer in one line. If it’s not a clear “yes,” treat that as useful data — not a failure.