My client (Keith) is a perfect example of this, too.

After realizing he wasn't going to make partner in a law firm that he had outgrown, he went to a small, entrepreneurial firm that promised to let him grow his book (his way).

He found a great mentor there. He had room to grow his book on his own terms. And what was promised was actually delivered.

Two years later, he was a partner with a fast-growing practice.

Here's where things got interesting...

That perfect-fit law firm was no longer a fit for his growing practice.

He needed a larger platform, more support, and more resources than the small, entrepreneurial firm could provide.

So he made another move.

He joined a larger (also values-aligned) firm that could both meet him where he was and support him where he was going.

This move initially felt jarring. Because everything was going so well for him.

Some people (including some colleagues and clients) didn't understand the move. Why make a move to somewhere new? Did moving so quickly mean that the interim firm had been a mistake?

It wasn't a mistake. The entrepreneurial culture, the mentorship, the space to build — all of it was exactly right for that stage.

But he had outgrown what that firm could provide. He was in a new stage, requiring a different type of support.