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The moment Shannon King declined a lateral position after returning from maternity leave, she knew exactly what it meant – unemployment. Yet, she felt completely at peace with her decision. After seven years of building a department from scratch and countless promises of leadership opportunities, the restructuring that happened during her maternity leave revealed a harsh truth: corporate loyalty often flows in only one direction.
Shannon's powerful story explores what happens when we choose ourselves in the face of workplace disappointment. As a digital marketing strategist who had poured her heart into her role, Shannon faced the classic millennial dilemma – working extra hours to prove her worth while watching promised growth opportunities evaporate. When interviewed for a management position while still on maternity leave (a questionable HR practice), she believed her dedication would finally be rewarded. The reality proved otherwise.
What makes Shannon's journey so compelling isn't just her decision to walk away, but how she maintained her dignity throughout the process. "I left with grace," she explains. Despite feeling betrayed, she brought donuts on her last day and gave "flowers to all the people that helped me." This professional approach preserved relationships and references that would serve her future career. More importantly, it reflected her understanding that her worth wasn't defined by a company that failed to value her contributions.
The experience transformed Shannon's approach to work-life balance. Now, she sets clear boundaries from day one with employers, prioritizes time with her family, and understands that her value isn't determined by how many extra hours she works. "Work is something that's going to come and go. Moments and time with family is something that's not," she reflects. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most courageous career move isn't climbing higher on the corporate ladder—it's having the confidence to step off entirely when necessary.
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Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanmreynolds

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