Karen Stephens

Leading with Adaptability, Joy, and the Courage to Pivot

Karen Stephens believes that a fulfilling career is not a straight line but a series of pivots, opportunities, and acts of courage. She describes the ability to deal with ambiguity as one of the most essential professional skills, especially in environments where nobody really knows the answer. Rather than waiting for certainty, she reframes anxiety as fuel - a signal that she is growing.

Karen also emphasizes the importance of stepping back as a leader to let others shine. Early in management, she realized she was doing too much of the heavy lifting and inadvertently limiting her team’s potential. She learned to identify talent that fills her gaps, get out of the way, and enable others to rise. She equally values self-care, finding that prioritizing movement and quiet morning rituals makes her a more present and effective leader.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• “Assume that you don’t know anything, and if you go in listening more than you’re talking, and observing . . . you’re gonna learn so much.”
• “How would you feel if you were a star performer and someone didn’t let you be a star?”
• “I love somebody who . . . can pivot. ‘What do we need to do today? . . . I can see that it’s needed, so I’m gonna go for it.’”
• “Some of the biggest opportunities in your life come from what appears to be the worst catastrophe of your life.”
• “Your job is to find joy. It’s to find joy wherever you can.”

Closing Reflection

Karen’s journey is a testament to what becomes possible when you embrace uncertainty and refuse to take yourself too seriously. Her experience reminds us that self-doubt is not a stop sign but the fuel that keeps us sharp and growing. She encourages us to build careers defined not by rigid plans but by the willingness to pivot courageously into new opportunity. Above all, Karen’s message is one of permission - to take the risk, learn from what follows, and always return to joy.