Interview with Beth Benatti Kennedy, Author of Career ReCharge

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Career ReCharge?

Beyond my professional experiences with resilience and burnout, I had a personal reason for writing this book. My dad was an incredible entrepreneur and leader, and customers loved him, but he was also a classic workaholic. Although he managed to squeeze in time for those he loved, his mental and physical health took a hard hit from his nonstop dedication and hardworking personality. I will never know if he would still be alive today if his workaholism had been addressed and he had had a toolbox for handling the constant stress he had as a business owner.

Where does the idea for the Benatti Resiliency Model® originate from?

Several years ago, as I coached employees in a company that had been acquired, I observed differences between those with career resilience and those who were thrown off by the transition. The individuals with career resilience were able to navigate much more effectively through the process. They drove their careers, made the choice to not let the acquisition ‘ruin’ their lives, and found opportunities even in a challenging situation. I identified five common strategies that these resilient people possessed as part of their career toolbox. I turned these strategies into my Benatti Resiliency Model® and it is now one of the cornerstones of my leadership coaching practice and training classes.

As a leadership coach and speaker, what’s one piece of advice you would give someone looking to enter the same profession?

Whether it’s as a coach or a speaker, focus on your brand and your niche, or you won’t be authentic and you won’t be successful. For example, I’m most effective as a coach when working with someone who is passionate about making a difference in their career. Conversely, I don’t do well if someone just wants coaching to be promoted.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

On my list are:

-Influence Is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen by Zoe Chance.

-The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment by Marshall Goldsmith—we’re reading this in my Mastermind group.

-Navigating Polarities: Using Both/And Thinking to Lead Transformation by Brian Emerson and Kelly Lewis.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Before I sit down to write, I always do a seven-minute meditation. I have a lucky mug with a fish design that was handmade by a local potter and our golden retriever, Maple, at my feet. I also have a good supply of index cards in different colors on hand—I use them to brainstorm ideas.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Saying no is saying yes to what you really want.” This is counter-intuitive to a lot of my clients, who think that saying no will have a negative impact on their careers, but it’s important to be able to let go of ideas and tasks and obligations that divert your energy away from your purpose and passion.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I’d want them to remember my Friday 5 strategy and what it represents, which is that resilience is a process that takes place daily and in increments. It’s easy when life gets challenging to head down the burnout escalator, but you can take small steps to reverse direction.