This is the final of three blogs looking at lifetime leadership lessons.
Ages 61 to 70: I went to Italy without my computer when I was 60. I could get emails, texts and calls on my phone, but didn’t. My wife and I were on the go and having too much fun to be bothered. When I returned, business had gotten on just fine without me.
This got me to thinking that I wasn’t actually indispensable. I had just thought I was. I had impressed myself, rationalizing that my work (and, by implication, I) was needed and, therefore, important. Outstanding performance reviews and worthy results were not my exclusive province. Most of my superiors and peers also worked hard and smart. People moved laterally to other organizations, took new positions elsewhere and retired. Yes, some even died. Healthy organizations had survived, even thrived, without them as new talent moved in. The best leaders, understanding they were replaceable, served as enlightened caretakers entrusted by their organizations as stewards during their tenures until well-groomed successors took over in smooth transitions. Those leaders were defined not by their positions, but by their character.
71 and Beyond: If your life is defined by your job, recognizing that you can be replaced can be deflating, even depressing. Fortunately for me, recognition that I was replaceable in my early 60’s was liberating. It was as if I had lifted my head at daybreak from my keyboard, switched off my phone, looked out my window and saw a bright new sunrise of opportunity. Rather than hide my plans to leave my employer as I neared age 65, I let everyone know.
Some executives who have been defined by their jobs enter “retirement” without a plan. But, with nothing else to do, golf can get old fast. Instead, I recommend what my mentor friend John calls “re-fire-ment” ; i.e., getting fired up to take advantage of your new found personal freedom.
Before committing to anything new, spend a “sabbatical” year of discovery. Read and reflect on subjects of intellectual interest. Try new professional and leisure activities. Identify new endeavors that will capitalize on your best leadership skills. Challenge yourself in new ways. Resolve to achieve a meaningful personal purpose. Enjoy life on your own terms.
Seize the lifetime opportunity to become truly indispensable to yourself and your loved ones.