With 24 months or 24 years: There is always time to leave a legacy
We all start our career journeys very excitedly. Somewhere along the line, we lose our spark; work becomes routine and soon retirement beckons.
Advertisement
We look back, and we see several missed opportunities and wasted years. We have missed opportunities to make an impact and leave a legacy.
Recently, I met a young professional who had switched professions and I asked what made her change. Her response was different from what I expected. She said, "I am preparing for my retirement".
This lady has over 20 more years to retire. She continued, "I have been preparing for this career switch for the past five years".
But after careful reflection, it all makes sense. Thinking about retirement early makes it possible to be mindful about your leadership legacy over the course of your career.
It's clear that we can and must prepare for retirement whether we have 24 months or 24 years to retire. Though we cannot take it for granted that we have 24 years to retire, it isn't very comforting for those who have only 24 months to retire.
Leaders cannot take this season of their working journeys lightly. It's time for the capstone actions and events.
Regarding our career journeys, the saying is true that all is well that ends well. Ending well means a cadre of leaders can take over your role and excel, and the team you leave behind is better.
Members are supportive of each other and pursue collaborative activities. And the organisation can look forward to the future with hope because it will thrive in your absence.
If there has been no preparation until now, you may wonder what you can do to make the last 24 months to retire meaningful when you have not been prepared for 24 years.
Be of good cheer. There is still time to prepare. There is more to do than waiting for the exit party.
The first step is to embrace the moment. It may have its eerie moments as well as uplifting moments.
It would help if you embraced it for the opportunity the moment offers you and the team you are part of.
You may need more energy, but this is the time to complete on a high. It may seem like a short time, but much can be accomplished.
I have had conversations with a couple of leaders who are retiring in the next 24 months and are very excited at the prospect of finally leaving the organisation and an opportunity to launch the next phase of their lives.
They are looking forward to leaving the organisation and its people in the best shape possible before they leave. They are very content that they have served well.
I am sharing what they are doing and what has inspired them. They are focused on systems, succession, stakeholder support and sharing their leadership stories. These are the four things every leader must do before leaving post.
Changing Systems and Culture
Having had a great experience with the system, you now know what works and what needs to be changed. One leader has vowed to change the leave approval system before leaving.
As a leader of the organisation, her role includes approving all the leave applications, which takes a significant amount of time.
You can also identify opportunities that need changing. I facilitated a session for leadership team on a day that was also the last day for one the team members.
Advertisement
Nothing was done for this person. Not even a card with good wishes to this exiting employee.
This person had been in a position to change the organisation’s “exit” culture but did not. These are examples of systems and cultures you can change in 12 months.
Grooming Successors
You may have been grooming successors; this is the time to engage them in the transition process actively.
If you are not in charge and there is a board to oversee the recruitment of a new person, ensure you refrain from interfering and giving each person a fair chance.
Advertisement
If your favourite is not selected, be careful not to allow your emotions to get the better part of you.
On one occasion, a leader's preferred candidate was not chosen as the successor. The leader did not congratulate the selected individual and offer well wishes.
This created a dent on his leadership. This is not the example any leader should set for others. It is possible to support designated successors to thrive before you retire.
Sharing the Stories and lessons from the road
Any leader approaching retirement has learnt so much on the journey.
Advertisement
Now is the time to decode and share your story of leadership. One leader is writing an account of her leadership.
You can share your story of how you got into various leadership roles and the lessons you learnt to encourage several others.
You must enable others to see the organisation beyond you, especially if you have been the leader for a very long time.
Rallying Stakeholder support
Your long years of service make you a worthy ambassador for the organisation. You can rally support for the organisation and promote the work of the organisation.
This work must be done with vigour as you prepare to exit the organisation. You can rally new volunteers or conscripts, or donors for the organisation.
All the above can be done whether you have 24 months or 24 years to retire. Determine to leave a legacy.
…..be of good cheer!
The writer is a Leadership Development Facilitator, Executive Coach and Strategy Consultant, Founder of the CEO Accelerator Program, and Chief Learning Strategist at TEMPLE Advisory.
The mission of The Leadership Project is to harvest highly effective leadership practices and share them in a manner that other leaders can easily incorporate into their leadership practice. If you have an idea or leadership practice to share, kindly write to [email protected]. Until you read from us again, keep leading…..from leader to leader, one practice at a time.