Dusting Off and Moving Forward

Moving on from the disappointment of a lost opportunity.

Carter Cathey

9/15/20251 min read

Yesterday, I learned I was not selected for a Head of Sales position that I was genuinely excited about. It was one of those rare opportunities where the challenges in front of the role aligned perfectly with my experience and the kind of work that energizes me.

I spent days researching the company, diving into their industry, and envisioning how I could help drive their next stage of growth. Making it to the final round was encouraging, but of course, hearing “we’re moving forward with another candidate” still stings.

That’s the reality of leadership searches: sometimes it’s not about capability or fit, but timing, context, or even internal dynamics you can’t control. One of the hardest parts is the fact that you will likely never really know.

After taking a breath (and maybe a long walk or two), I’m reminded of something I’ve seen throughout my career, resilience isn’t about avoiding disappointment; it’s about re-engaging with purpose after it.

So, it’s back to work:
- Back to networking with great people.
- Back to learning about new industries and business models.
- Back to the search for the right opportunity to build, lead, and grow.

To anyone else navigating a similar moment, keep going. Each near miss sharpens your story, your clarity, and your readiness for the one that does click.

If you know of organizations looking for a growth-oriented sales leader who loves building scalable go-to-market systems and energizing teams around big goals, I’d love to connect or hear your thoughts.

Here’s to staying resilient and optimistic. The right fit always comes into focus.