Welcome to Mid-Career Change! I’m Mark Crossfield, a professional career coach, here to help you turn mid-career uncertainty into an exciting journey of self-discovery and reinvention. Whether you're feeling stuck, seeking new opportunities, or ready to inject more meaning into your work, this podcast is your roadmap to transforming your career.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by executive coach Stu Barnes. Stu specializes in helping leaders and professionals navigate career transitions and unlock their potential. Having made his own mid-career shift from a senior corporate role to coaching, Stu brings a unique perspective on embracing change and finding fulfilling work.
Introducing Stu Barnes
Stu begins by sharing his story. Based in southwest London, Stu is an executive coach who’s been coaching for four years after a 25-year career as a chartered accountant. He talks about his love for family time, hosting, cooking, long walks in nature with his dog Albert, and supporting friends. Stu’s hobbies enrich his life and are a key part of his balanced approach to work and life.
Early Career and Transition
Stu reflects on his early career trajectory. He studied human geography at Royal Holloway, University of London, with aspirations to influence UK policy. However, through a recruitment process, he was steered toward accountancy and began his career as a chartered accountant in UK government departments.
This gave him diverse experiences, from technical finance roles to leadership, strategic finance, and organizational capability development. He describes enjoying the challenge of engaging non-finance people in decision-making and using numbers to tell compelling stories.
A Pivotal Secondment
In 2018, Stu’s career took a turn when he was seconded to HR to work on organizational capability. This exposed him to coaching and its transformative impact. A trusted colleague introduced him to the concept of ikigai (a reason for being), which stayed with him. A year later, another colleague suggested he would make a great coach—a lightbulb moment that sparked his career change.
Discovering Coaching and Building a Practice
Stu describes how he explored coaching as a profession. Guided by his values—curiosity, lifelong learning, personal growth, empowerment, and service—he pursued a Level 7 Executive Coaching qualification through the Institute of Leadership and Management. This marked the beginning of his transition, as he started a side hustle offering coaching services.
He built his practice gradually, working with pro bono and paying clients, leveraging networks, and sharpening his skills through reflection, supervision, and continuous learning. Over time, his side hustle became a viable business, and he transitioned to full-time coaching.
Challenges of Career Transition
Stu highlights several challenges:
Navigating Uncertainty: Not knowing the exact path but trusting the process and taking small steps forward.
Managing Risk: Testing the concept of coaching through a side hustle to ensure it was viable.
Redefining Success: Shifting from corporate goals to self-defined success as a business owner.
Identity Shift: Moving from a secure corporate identity to running his own coaching business.
Structuring His Day: Designing his working environment to align with his energy flows and maximize productivity.
Building Support: Leaning on friends, family, and professional networks for guidance and encouragement.
Advice for Mid-Career Change
Stu offers practical advice for those considering a mid-career shift:
Know the Signs: If you feel unfulfilled, unchallenged, or misaligned with your values, it may be time to explore a change.
Define Success: Reflect on what motivates you, aligns with your values, and brings joy and fulfillment.
Leverage Skills: Understand and confidently present your unique strengths and experiences.
Take Small Steps: Explore opportunities through secondments, new projects, or side hustles before making significant changes.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who lift you up, hold you accountable, and provide guidance.
Embrace Courage: Acknowledge your fears but move forward anyway. Courage isn’t the absence of fear but the ability to act despite it.
The Importance of Habits
Stu emphasizes the role of habits in shaping identity. He suggests focusing on daily actions that align with your desired future self. Whether it’s structuring your day, reflecting on values, or building connections, habits are key to sustaining momentum and achieving your goals.
Closing Thoughts
Stu encourages listeners to take control of their careers. “You have the pen,” he says, highlighting the empowerment that comes from making deliberate choices. His journey shows that mid-career change is an opportunity to unlock potential and find work that truly resonates.
Connect with Stu Barnes
Stu is most active on LinkedIn (@StuBarnes) and can also be found on Instagram (@StuBarnesCoaching). Visit his website at StuBarnesCoaching.com for more information.