During our careers, we came to appreciate how incredibly difficult – and lonely – transitions can be, dramatically impacting health, emotional wellbeing, and relationships. One of the biggest transitions is retirement, which seems far away until it’s not. Over the past two decades, the decision to retire, and when to do it, was increasingly shifting out of the hands of individual leaders who had been so dedicated to their companies for decades to the discretion of their employer as part of strategic talent management.
Most leaders think they’d have (more) time to plan for what they would do after their corporate careers. Even those who choose the timing of their retirement often struggle with what to do next. We believe transitions are a window of opportunity and with a little preparation, they can be celebrated and capitalized on.
As a result, we’ve worked with hundreds of executives, at top organizations from Bank of America, Boeing Defense, Space & Security to American Airlines and ExxonMobil. Our mission was and always will be simple— to provide a guiding light through the intricate paths of career transitions we have worked with.
Today, we are sharing the Top 10 lessons we have observed, and our clients have shared as they face significant transitions in hopes that it will help others to prepare and enjoy their futures!
- Be intentional.
Begin discernment while there is still runway in your current role.
- Leave well.
How you finish/transition determines how you begin your Next Season.
- When it’s on your terms
- When it’s on your company’s terms
- Manage Your Emotions in the Early Days.
The early days are difficult. Anticipate and plan for those. Take a Pause. It Matters.
- Do not rush into a “what’s next.”
You need time to detox from the pace and intensity—and the emotions that accompany separation. There will be pressure from many to commit right away to something—anything—and you yourself may feel as though you have an expiration date. It is important to give yourself some breathing space to consider what you want to do next—and for word to reach others that you are “available.” Sometimes after stepping away from a major role, you need a prolonged pause while you reground yourself, focus on your personal health, wellness, life.
- Decide What to Say Yes (and No) to
You have options. Be choiceful in what you say “yes” to in your first, next season. You have lacked the capacity to do things of your choosing for many, many years. Do not commit prematurely and then wish you had space to do something more interesting/different.
- Rely on others, and in turn be there for them.
Change. Business. Life. It’s a team sport. Relationships are essential, and are one of the things you will miss most about leaving. Forging new ones allows you to move forward and not just cling to past friendships.
- Tap your amazing network.
Tap into it in new ways. Expand it now for future possibilities.
- Prioritize health and well-being.
If there is one statement that applies to all things in life it would be that our health is our rate-limiter for all we want to do. With good health we have a world of possibilities. Without it, we are challenged and limited on so many levels. As you enter this period of transition, there is no more important time to double down on your health than now.
- Rebrand yourself and define the new you.
Don’t assume your work/reputation speaks for itself. Ensure your story is well told, your successes and goals are well articulated. Rebranding is important. You will have been known in one way—and it will be important to establish yourself with a new identity. The best ways we have found to do this are:
- Don’t assume your reputation speaks for itself. Ensure your story is well-told and your successes and goals are well-articulated.
- Update your professional materials, both on paper and online, and ensure you have a powerful pitch that demonstrates your value.
- Don’t talk about who you were—talk about who you want to be!
- Involve your Spouse or Partner meaningfully in the process. Prioritize Family.
Couples experience a lot of tugs and pulls when one or both have demanding jobs. Vacations get cut short or are interrupted by conference calls or virtual meetings. Family events are missed. Relocations occur, disrupting family lives and dynamics. Spouses/partners have a strong and vested interest in “what’s next” and how it may impact them.
Always remember that there is not just one Next Season—but many more changing seasons. Grace and acceptance are key. Some transitions we initiate, whereas others happen, whether we will them or not. And thank goodness for that!
