When Doing the Right Thing Comes at a Cost—And Why It’s Still Worth It

In life and business, we often face moments that force us to choose between what’s easy and what’s right. These decisions can feel risky and uncomfortable, but they also have the power to define who we are.

Several years ago, I found myself in such a moment while working for a healthcare company. After completing compliance training, I identified billing practices that not only raised ethical concerns but also posed serious legal consequences. These practices appeared to violate state statutes related to Medicare and insurance billing—putting both the company and its clients in jeopardy.

With 24 years of experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries—specifically at Medtronic and St. Jude Medical, where compliance and ethical standards were foundational—I knew these practices needed to be addressed. I raised my concerns with the compliance team, and after an investigation, they confirmed the issue (public acknowledgement). Leadership responded, consulting outside legal counsel resulting in sending formal letters to affected clients and halting the problematic practices.

However, the company’s response was insufficient. The letters sent to clinics and physicians acknowledged the violation and instructed them to stop the illegal billing practice immediately. But there was a glaring omission: they failed to communicate the severity of the violation, and the legal risks involved. The medical providers affected by this issue were unknowingly put at risk of losing their medical licenses, and the company had failed to make them aware of it.

That was enough for me. The company had not only placed itself at legal risk but had also endangered its clients' professional standing. This was far more than an internal issue—it was a failure to protect those we were supposed to serve.

During a follow-up call with senior leadership, the conversation shifted from corrective action to how the company might delay addressing the issue. The Vice President (investor/owner) expressed concerns about financial fallout, client reactions, and the company’s reputation. These discussions, despite their business relevance, ignored the serious legal consequences still looming over both the company and its clients.

I voiced my concerns, stressing that delaying action after publicly acknowledging the violation and alerting our clients- did not seem right, and I wondered aloud how that might be interpretated and the potential for legal exposure. My concerns were dismissed, and I was instructed to follow orders and,” do what your told”. Later that day, I was abruptly placed on paid administrative leave for what was described as "gross insubordination."

Ultimately, the claim of “gross insubordination” was voided and proven false after a thorough investigation by a Montana Department of Labor adjudicator. The company had every opportunity to justify its decision and did not respond when challenged, leading to the reinstatement of my rights and benefits. This silent refusal to defend their actions further validated my decision to speak up.

A Moment of Reflection and Realignment

That sudden dismissal was more than a professional setback—it was a catalyst for deep reflection. The stress and uncertainty forced me to pause and truly evaluate my career path. I realized that the role I had taken was fundamentally misaligned with my core values and the professional standards I had upheld for over two decades.

Looking back, I recognized that I knew almost immediately—even during the interview process—that this role wasn’t the right fit for me. Yet, like many professionals I now coach, I ignored those instincts and stayed in a position that compromised my values for the security of a paycheck.

This experience reinforced a truth I now emphasize with clients: staying in a role that misaligns with your core values has consequences. It erodes your confidence, stifles growth, and can lead to difficult outcomes. Had I listened to my intuition earlier, I could have avoided much of the pain and frustration. But it was through this experience that I was ultimately pushed to realign with my true purpose.

This moment also reminded me of something foundational to coaching: the importance of self-awareness and personal accountability. These principles are core to the coaching process and ones I had to apply to myself. In many ways, I had to start coaching myself, holding myself accountable and realigning with my values.

But there was another layer to this reflection—one that many of my clients face. I realized that I had been afraid to launch my coaching business, something I had wanted to do in a full-time role for years. After all, I had invested over four years in ICF-certified training and accumulated hundreds of coaching hours yet fear of leaving the safety of a paycheck and the uncertainty of entrepreneurship had held me back. That was a pivotal learning experience for me.

Today, I use that insight to coach professionals who are contemplating career changes or starting their own businesses. Leaving a secure job—even when burnout or dissatisfaction creeps in—comes with consequences. Sometimes, it takes a difficult push to finally step into growth. My experience, combined with my ICF training and leadership background, allows me to guide others through this journey, helping them avoid the costs of delay and inaction.

How This Experience Shapes My Coaching

Today, as a coach with dual training in both life and executive coaching, I draw on my formal training and decades of corporate experience to help clients navigate their own professional challenges. My leadership background and coaching expertise allow me to guide clients with emotional intelligence assessments, empathy and insight, using the lessons I’ve learned to help others avoid similar pitfalls.

I coach professionals and leaders who are:

• Facing Ethical and Legal Dilemmas: Guiding them through high-stakes decisions while maintaining integrity and accountability.

• Considering Career Transitions or Entrepreneurship: Helping professionals overcome the fear of leaving a stable job to pursue more aligned and fulfilling work.

• Navigating Compliance and Risk: Drawing from my industry experience to support leaders managing compliance, legal, and operational risks.

• Building High-Integrity Cultures: Coaching teams to foster environments where ethical behavior and accountability are central to success.

One of the greatest lessons I share with clients is the value of alignment—ensuring that their professional roles and decisions reflect their core values. This alignment is not just a pathway to career success but a foundation for personal fulfillment.

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About Me

I’m a certified executive and life coach with over 24 years of leadership experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. My time at Medtronic and St. Jude Medical instilled in me the importance of ethical leadership and compliance. I was also handpicked as the only field sales executive to join Medtronic's pilot coaching program, which led to the rollout of coaching across 22,000 employees.

My coaching approach is rooted in accountability, alignment with core values, and empowering professionals to navigate career transitions and leadership challenges.

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