GLOBAL INFORMATION
Theme of the Case: Personal growth and prioritization in business decisions
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Targeted: Analytical thinking, creative thinking
Attitudes Targeted: Curiosity, resilience, flexibility, and agility
Learning Objectives: By the end of this 3-part case study, you’ll have the benefit of hindsight from a new external professional challenge, particularly on the emotional aspects to reflect on in your own experiences. This will help you focus on the specific skills and mindsets needed to develop broader perspectives and improve your self-awareness through self-accountability.
Resources: In my first article series, you have clues that will help you solve this case. You’ll find them in underlined words that hide tools and resources that might help your reflection.
As a reminder, here’s the list of the articles:
AI beyond digital (IQ)
+ The previous parts of the case:
CASE STUDY (3/3): Daryl’s Awakening
Crisis or Update?
During a reflective moment, while returning from a long walk in nature, Daryl saw a food truck. It reminded him of the red food truck on Collins Avenue, where he used to buy the best tacos as a child. It had been his Sunday night ritual with his mother.
He realized he wanted to support projects and perhaps even build one, but not a fancy one—an authentic one— and maybe not immediately.
Daryl understood that another luxurious, innovative concept in Miami no longer made sense to him. It was an amazing project, like many others he had supported, but it was time for something different. When he saw the food truck, he realized he wanted to support small local projects— projects that would help families sustain themselves and preserve ancestral recipes and traditions.
He wanted to be more impactful in his business decisions, but particularly to impact people's lives the way his mentors had impacted him.
The Twist
Innovation is great, but technology without a soul means nothing. Nothing will replace the food of this talented independent chef, who has been working for years in this food truck, using authentic family recipes passed down from generation to generation.
He wanted his future grandchildren to still appreciate the value of this food.
Without support, these food trucks or small local restaurants couldn’t survive the new challenges of this era. On a more personal level, he didn’t want to disappoint his old friend by switching his investment. However, the reality was that they were no longer as close as they had been in their youth.
They no longer shared the same lifestyle, and it was not compatible with the journey Daryl had been living and building with his wife for years.
The Distance
Daryl was seeking more calmness and wisdom, while John craved constant adrenaline in business and life, with agitation in every form. It was an energy Daryl no longer wanted to expend outwardly, as he now wanted to focus on taking care of his family and, more than ever, himself. Nevertheless, he knew reliable people who would be glad to invest in John’s project.
Refusing to bring money to the table wasn’t the hardest part; it was saying no to a high-tempered friend who might not understand "no" that was truly difficult...
All this reflection made Daryl aware of what he needed most: Time. He realized that turning 50 wasn’t frightening. It was a tremendous milestone that would allow him to make a pivotal change in his life and career. However, time was running out, and it had been his main struggle even before this contract.
He knew he needed time for himself and his new life to shift, but he didn't know how to find more of it.
The Life Update
Daryl realized his confusion was largely due to his busyness, even though he thought everything was under control. The clarity he had been seeking for his business deal was the same clarity he needed in his life first.
He needed to identify the root cause of his confusion to move the shadows away.
Daryl reached a point when he became his own enemy, acting in duality. This misalignment is what he called his "Upcoming 50th crisis". Daryl had changed unexpectedly over the last few years, and so had his aspirations. Thanks to the personal development journey he had begun 10 years ago, he had developed perspectives he hadn't previously possessed.
Naturally, what had blossomed in his personal life now wanted to blossom in his professional life as well.
This need for fulfillment manifested as confusion and anxiety. What Daryl referred to as his "Upcoming 50th Crisis" was "A Life Update" call. During these difficult times, his body, mind, and soul told him: "It’s time to make an update". He needed to realign his current and future decisions and actions with the person he is today, and the person he is becoming.
Daryl needed to elevate the purposeful life he had begun years ago and bring it into his professional world.
Note: This fictional case study is inspired by my personal and professional experiences, as well as by individuals who have forged their unique paths.
YOUR KEY ROLE
You previously helped Daryl gain clarity before making his final decision about the contract, especially on the emotional challenges he was facing. Then, you worked to understand what was happening in Daryl’s self-awareness and emotional exploration process to better support him.
Now, let’s dive into the challenges and rewards Daryl faces in balancing emotions with authenticity. You’ll gain a clearer insight into the components that define his sense of fulfillment, which will empower him to build a sustainable career moving forward.
GUIDELINES
Methodology:
A set of questions is provided to guide your reflection on various aspects of the case study. They’ll help you break down and analyze Daryl’s decision-making process from different angles to gain a broader perspective. Additionally, your personal and professional experiences are encouraged to create the best constructive support for Daryl.Journaling:
Maintain a reflective journal by recording your thoughts, reactions, and observations. This will deepen your analysis and enhance accuracy. Furthermore, these notes will serve as a valuable foundation to reflect on your own assumptions, biases, and learning experiences later on.
QUESTIONS
Provide detailed answers to each question, using 5 to 10 lines per response.
Answer the questions in chronological order to add context and depth to your responses.
DARYL’S AWAKENING
How did Daryl’s awakening to the need for meaningful fulfillment mark a turning point in his journey?
How did this turning point manifest?
What specific actions did Daryl identify as essential to aligning his actions with his personal values?
What behaviors did Daryl identify to align with his priorities?
How did Daryl’s commitment to time ownership and self-accountability empower him to embrace authenticity and purpose in his decision-making process?
What factors ultimately influenced Daryl’s decision-making process regarding the proposed business deal with John Connhad?
How did his personal values orient his final choice?