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Career Clarity Through Values Audit: A Guide for Professionals Feeling Stuck
The article addresses the growing disconnect many high-achieving professionals experience in their careers, despite outward success. Dana Rahat, founder of UPGRADE, a coaching practice, explains that this disconnection stems from misalignment between personal values and work expectations. Gallup's 2026 report shows global employee engagement has dropped to 20%, the lowest since 2020, while Mental Health Research Canada's 2025 study reveals 39% of Canadian employees report frequent burnout. Deloitte's survey indicates 40% of Gen Z and Millennial workers have declined opportunities due to value conflicts. Rahat emphasizes that burnout isn't solely about workload but about saying 'yes' to goals that don't align with one's core values. She outlines three common misalignments: choosing a career out of obligation rather than passion, working in a culture that contradicts personal values, or experiencing life changes that make a previously fitting role no longer suitable. Rahat's approach involves a 'values audit'โidentifying moments of joy and depletion to uncover core values, then assessing where current work aligns or conflicts with those values. Practical steps include recalling moments of aliveness and depletion, distinguishing personal values from societal 'shoulds,' and auditing work-life alignment. The article concludes by urging organizations to adopt a whole-person approach, supporting leaders in meaningful career conversations that go beyond performance metrics to address individual aspirations and values. This holistic strategy benefits both employees and employers by fostering engagement and sustainable career development.