Owning Your Career: Insights from Coaches’ Corner Conversation with Bob Corbett
What does it take to move from hoping your career unfolds the right way, to confidently steering it in a direction that’s truly your own?
That powerful question came alive in a recent Coaches’ Corner conversation featuring Bob Corbett: executive and DEI coach, organizational consultant, longtime Northwestern faculty member, and author of Craft and Own Your Career. In conversation with Dr. Michelle Albaugh, associate director of coaching at MSLOC & ELOC, Corbett shared real-world insights that speak directly to the core challenges that many professionals face today: navigating complexity, finding clarity, and taking ownership.
More than a conversation, this session was a live example of the depth, candor, and strategic thinking that define our coaching programs at Northwestern MSLOC and ELOC. It wasn’t just about theory—it was about lived experience, , and the kind of reflection that helps leaders move forward with confidence.
Here are a few themes that emerged:
🔹 Purpose as a Compass
Corbett reminded us that meaningful careers are purposely created. His call to define our “North Star” resonates deeply with what we explore in our programs: the work of identifying what truly matters and aligning action with intention. Questions like: Why am I here? and How do I want people to experience me? are essential starting points for authentic leadership.
🔹 Relationships That Sustain Growth
Corbett emphasized that no one thrives alone. Building a career you own requires relationships with mentors, sponsors, and peers who challenge you, champion you, and help you grow. At MSLOC and ELOC, we foster precisely this kind of network that lasts well beyond graduation.
🔹 Action Over Perfection
Planning is important, but Corbett’s reminder was clear: “If you don’t take action, then the plan is just words on the page.” We see this play out every day with our coaching students who learn to help clients take positive action even in the face of ambiguity. It’s a mindset shift from waiting to leading.
🔹 Belonging as a Career Asset
Career ownership also means navigating systems and cultures—and claiming space in them. Corbett spoke candidly about inclusion, belonging, and what it means to stay true to yourself in environments that may not always feel welcoming. These are real conversations we hold in our classrooms, coaching labs, and peer groups, because career success is inseparable from equity and authenticity.
Reflecting on the conversation, Dr. Albaugh shared:
“What makes conversations like this so impactful is the mix of vulnerability and strategy. We see the same dynamic in our programs, where students not only gain practical tools but also experience the deeper confidence and clarity that comes from applying them. That combination—strategy paired with personal growth—is what enables our graduates to step forward as authentic, courageous leaders."
If you’re looking to gain clarity, grow your impact, and surround yourself with a community that will challenge and support you, we invite you to explore our coaching programs at MSLOC and ELOC. Begin owning your career with conversations that matter, tools that empower, and people who walk alongside you.
Interested in learning more?
Email us at msloc@northwestern.edu for the full session recording.
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