The Opportunity in “Burnout”: How Purpose Shows Up Differently Throughout our Lives
Many of us reach a point where the “gum has lost its flavor” and what used to give us energy no longer does. We might see this burnout as a sign that something has gone wrong. But what if instead of seeing a dead end, we experienced burnout as an invitation into the next stage of our growth?
That’s one of the key insights of Vertical Development. In this two-hour session, we are excited to welcome Claire Williams of In Depth Development and Nikki Shultz of Courageous Roots Development, who both use the Enneagram and Vertical Development in their work with organizations as coaches and facilitators.
Nikki and Claire will guide us through what Vertical Development is, the stages of development, and how purpose tends to be constructed at each stage. They will take you on a journey to understand how purpose shifts at each stage: from ensuring safety and security in a physical world and later moving towards wholeness and surrender.
A key turning point often misread as burnout happens in a specific Vertical Development stage transition. People report, “I’ve lost my sense of purpose. The gum has lost its flavor.” We can reframe this as a developmental invitation to a different kind of purpose rather than a failure of motivation.
What You’ll Learn
How Vertical Development explains shifts in motivation and “loss of purpose”
A clear, stage‑by‑stage picture of how purpose is constructed
When to use the Enneagram versus a Vertical Development lens—and how to hold both.
Practitioner techniques: listening for the developmental edge, selecting the right framework, and avoiding single‑tool overreach.
Who It’s For
Enneagram enthusiasts seeking a deeper, developmentally informed understanding of purpose.
Practitioners/coaches who want additional tools for clients asking purpose and meaning questions or who appear “burned out”.
About the Facilitators
Claire Williams is an Executive & Team Coach, Writer, and Speaker who brings transformational development to the corporate world. Claire has developed thousands of leaders spanning five continents at companies like Target, McDonalds, and Boeing. She is a certified Enneagram practitioner with extensive education and certifications in Vertical Development.
Nikki Shultz is an organizational consultant and executive coach. She has led teams, large and small within organizations, and consulted with client companies ranging from Fortune 10, privately held to non-profit. She leverages the Enneagram and Vertical Development to support leadership growth that meets the challenges of a complex world.