Retirement for a leader does not mark the end of their legacy, but the beginning of a new chapter where their wisdom and experience continue to inspire future generations.
It’s not an easy topic to address, whether in an article or in real life, but eventually, most people have to face it one way or another: retirement.
The moment has come, said a man to his wife, when given the conditions of labor law, years of service in various companies, and his level of work intensity, it was clear that it was time for retirement. When is the right time? No one has the perfect formula. An 80-year-old man, after several successful ventures in his career, decided to start another business project, and it worked. Did he have retirement plans at that age? Apparently not. Each person “reaches their moment” either voluntarily or, sometimes, forced.
Becoming aware of the transition to retirement, both for men and women, is not an easy internal conversation and even less so, in most cases, within the family context. Some might want to avoid it, but it’s always necessary. Ultimately, the comfort zone may appear repeatedly, and the fear of new circumstances, often without a clear plan for the next step, can be daunting. Sitting alone reading a book or watching Netflix doesn’t seem like the best plan. Sometimes the dream is to travel extensively, but even that can become tiring.
Finally, taking action, whether voluntarily or under some pressure, will mark the end of one stage and the beginning of another. The moment has arrived, and the questions come along. A good friend, someone who has already gone through this experience, a life coach, or a beloved family member can offer valuable advice. This helps, as long as the advice comes from the right person who understands the life and career of the one making the retirement decision.
This transition presents significant challenges, both in terms of satisfaction and disappointment. “I thought that enjoying so much time would help me develop my hobbies,” said a 70-year-old woman after over 40 years of work. It didn’t quite turn out that way; her grandchildren required more of her time, which brought new joys and changes, but it was all worth it.
There are always those who view this from the outside as a problem, trying to give the retiree all the perfect advice. In some cases, there might even be a level of envy for not being able to live that new stage at this moment. Each person discovers and lives through the process in their own way.
The wealth of knowledge that a retiring person brings with them is enormous and can be used either for their own benefit or for the benefit of others in a meaningful way. Reflecting on what one has been good at throughout their life or how to help others invites contemplation about the legacy a professional leader can leave in their retirement stage. The retired leader now sees the world with different eyes, discerns less viscerally, analyzes fundamental issues with greater wisdom, and continues to contribute from a broader and simpler perspective. The whirlwind of work is no longer present, so they can pause to think with more calm and long-term vision, although often, time is no longer their best ally.
