There was a photo on the homepage I didn’t love. Every time I saw it, it just didn’t feel like “me.” So, I asked my designer to swap it for one I liked better. She made the change, but I could tell she wasn’t thrilled with the photo I selected. So I asked her what she thought. She admitted: “I want to trust your guidance, you are the client, but honestly, this photo doesn’t work here. It’s not going to do what we need it to do.”

In that moment, both of us were right.

My instinct was correct — I didn’t want to keep a photo I didn’t love front and center. Her expertise was also correct — the replacement I suggested wasn’t serving the purpose of the page. Together, we found another image which did the job she needed it to do and one that I loved.

That experience got me thinking: when do you trust your inner wisdom about your career, and when do you turn to outside expertise?

Because the truth is, both matter.

Your inner guidance — that deep, steady voice inside — always deserves to be heard first. It knows what feels right, what feels authentic, what you can or cannot live with. But sometimes, your inner wisdom isn’t the whole picture. There are areas where you don’t know what you don’t know — where a coach can bring clarity you couldn’t have found on your own.

So how do you know when to go inside and when to go outside?

Here are a few steps that help me (and that I teach my clients):

1. Check in with yourself first. Ask: What do I already know? If I did know what to do, what would I choose? Often, your first answer is closer to the truth than you think.
2. Discern wisdom from fear. Inner wisdom feels calm and clear, even if it’s telling you something scary. Fear (or others’ expectations) usually feels noisy, anxious, or pushy. Learn the difference.
3. Name what you don’t know. Once you’ve listened inward, ask: What’s missing here? What might I need some coaching expertise and perspective on? Then go outside yourself with specific questions and feel your way to what you need in your career next.

This is exactly how career clarity works. Your inner wisdom will tell you what feels aligned, what you’re craving, or what isn’t working anymore. But an outside perspective — from a coach like me — can help you sort through the fog, shine a light on blind spots, and guide you toward the right next step.

The Alchemy happens when you honor both. Your inner authority makes sure you stay true to yourself. Trusted experts give you the tools, knowledge, and perspective to make the most aligned choice possible.