Is Your Iceberg Flipping?

I just saw my first iceberg.

It was as awe-inspiring as you might imagine – massive, silent, formed over centuries. My mind immediately went to the familiar metaphor:
“Most of it is hidden beneath the surface.”

But I learned something equally fascinating.
Icebergs flip.

As they melt, their centre of gravity shifts.
They slowly destabilize.

Then, suddenly, they roll – exposing a part of them that’s been hidden for centuries: luminous, deep turquoise ice, a stark contrast to their usual white surface.

The flip is abrupt. Powerful. It demands attention.

But afterward, the iceberg settles into a new stability – one better suited to its current form.

I couldn’t help but see the parallel in us.

We move through life, often unaware of the subtle erosions reshaping us:

  • Our organization restructures
  • Our role shifts – or ends
  • Our team dynamic erodes
  • Our sense of purpose wavers
  • Our priorities reorder

Erosions occur until one day, what once felt solid… doesn’t.

Our centre of gravity shifts.
What once felt up feels down. Perspective flips.
And often, submerged thoughts, questions, dreams, and truths surface.

It’s not always graceful. But it’s revealing. And if we let it – it can be transformative.

Career transitions can feel the same way.
From the outside, everything looks fine.
Inside, something no longer fits.

You feel restless. Or tired in a new way.
You want change – but you also want safety.
So you try to think your way out of it.

But clarity doesn’t come from force.
It comes from understanding what is actually ending.

And articulating what you’re ready to move towards.

Transitions are part of every career path.
Navigating them with clarity and intention is the opportunity.

If you lean into knowing that things are trying to shift, something else happens.

Perspective flips.
The turquoise ice surfaces.
It was always there. It just wasn’t visible.

That’s the work we do together in Career Transitions at MEA this March.

Together, we’ll work through:

  • 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 – Identify the roles, beliefs, and definitions of success you’ve outgrown
  • 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲” – Explore what’s emerging during this in-between stage
  • 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 – Clearly articulate who you are, and start to envision a next chapter that feels aligned, meaningful, and expansive

Some participants are between roles.
Some are still working but increasingly misaligned.
Some are stepping toward retirement and asking what purpose looks like beyond it.

What they share is this: something inside has shifted.

If you feel that subtle destabilization – the sense that your internal centre of gravity is moving, it may simply mean you’re ready to flip.

We invite you to explore that shift with Jill and MEA March 12-15 in Santa Fe

About the Author

Jill Nykoliation

Human Insight Specialist

Jill Nykoliation is an award-winning business leader with 30 years of experience shaping global brands, from Fortune 100 to entrepreneurial companies.

Jill is a master of human insight. As founder and former CEO of Juniper Park\TBWA, Jill guided the brand strategy for some of the world’s most powerful brands.

For over three decades, Jill has dedicated herself to understanding why we do what we do. Her fascination with human insight was the driving force behind her co-founding a creative agency eighteen years ago – and now drives her work as a Personal Coach.

Jill now applies her deep expertise as a Personal Coach, helping people unlock their true potential and navigate pivotal moments in their lives and careers.

Through her own executive experience and study, Jill understands the beauty, complexity and wonder involved in our life journeys.

Jill coaches executives one-on-one across the globe, and facilitates workshops for corporations, YPO and MEA Wisdom school, guiding leaders toward greater clarity, confidence, and impact.

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