Many professionals face setbacks in their careers. A bad economy can force widespread layoffs. A toxic work environment which often leads to resignations. Institutions that retreat during polemics signal instability rather than integrity. Real feelings of workplace dread and anxiety can lead an individual to consider whether they are with the right company or in the right position. Greg DeShields, an Executive Director of Tourism, believes anyone can rebound from past career setbacks to pursue new opportunities that are both financially rewarding and personally invigorating.
A career comeback differs from a career pivot, which is when someone leverages their current professional success to pursue a similar yet higher-level career path within the same industry. For example, moving from the factory floor into management or transferring from a position in a smaller business division to corporate headquarters are career pivots. A career comeback is needed when a professional leaves a position or is asked to leave a company for any reason.
A career setback can bring tough emotions like self-doubt, isolation, lower confidence, and even a lack of energy or direction for the future. Still, these times, though hard, can become turning points. The important thing is to respond thoughtfully: take time to reflect, adjust your plans, and look for new opportunities that not only help you move forward in your career, but also offer a better work environment, a sense of purpose, and lasting growth.
5-Point Strategy for a Successful Rebound
When Greg DeShields faced a professional setback, he chose to reflect instead of giving up. He took a close look at his network, skills, education, and passions, and was willing to take smart risks to move his career forward in different fields. Instead of letting disruption control his future, he used it as a chance to reinvent himself.
Inspired by the book Move Ahead with Possibility Thinking, which shares four practical strategies for positive thinking; Challenge Limiting Beliefs, Visualize Positive Outcomes, Practice Curiosity and Open-Mindedness and Embrace Failure as Feedback, Greg took another look at his life and career choices. Using these ideas, he began to see challenges as chances to grow, stayed optimistic, and made sure his actions matched his goals and values.
Greg’s resilience, focus, and steady work opened new opportunities for him in both familiar and new industries. By using possibility thinking on purpose, he became more determined, found a clearer path, and turned challenges into fresh energy for his career.
The following strategies show how Greg bounced back from a career setback and prepared himself for new leadership roles and greater impact.
- Evaluate your role in the misunderstanding. – Take a step back from enthusiastic emotions to look objectively at how you can manage things differently. This may include getting feedback from coworkers who are willing and knowledgeable about the workplace culture. For future reference, always consider the organization’s culture, managerial style, and corporate values to determine whether they align with your personal and professional goals.
- Minimize the extent of any harm to your reputation. – Leaving an organization under difficult circumstances is undeniably disappointing. Yet DeShields emphasizes that a professional setback whether driven by a toxic workplace culture, institutional abdication of leadership, a divisive management team, or irreconcilable conflict does not define a career. What shapes your trajectory is how you respond, communicate, and demonstrate growth in the aftermath.
- Use failure as an opportunity to grow. – DeShields believes it is normal to grieve the loss of a job, so it is wise to take a few weeks to reflect on and reframe the experience. Consider any judgment errors, skill gaps (including soft skills like interpersonal communications), or specific mistakes. Once you can identify an error on your part, it is easier to prevent the same from happening again.
- Chart a new course for the future. – Instead of wallowing in pity after a setback, get excited about making a career comeback. Consider freelancing or contract work while taking the time to find the right fit for a more permanent position. At the same time, chart a new course by strengthening your professional skills and getting active in your industry networks. You never know what opportunities will surface when you open yourself to new experiences.
- Reenter the workforce with confidence. – Today, Greg shows resilience and a talent for reinvention in his career. He is the founder of Greg DeShields Consulting LLC, has been re-elected as President of Skål Philadelphia, producer, and host of Something to Say with Greg DeShields, now in its third season. He stays active in leadership and industry conversations.
Finally, he took on a new role outside his main field as a Lead Site Assistant for a Head Start program. His journey shows his belief that setbacks are not the end, but a chance to change perspective, adapt, and find new ways to succeed.
Take the time to discover a company and position that are in line with your goals, which could be income-driven, passion-filled, or simply a no-drama workplace. To accomplish this, you should reflect on and assess both your skills and what you enjoy doing. Then create a roadmap that includes both short- and long-term action items for a successful career comeback.
A career setback is not a verdict — it is a turning point. The most successful rebounds are built on clarity, courage, and a willingness to evolve. When disappointment is reframed as redirection, momentum returns.
Your comeback is not about reclaiming what was lost. It is about stepping forward with sharper insight, deeper resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The next chapter is not waiting to be discovered — it is waiting to be written.
