Are you an accomplished executive, ready for something different, but not ready for “retirement?”  Then you are like hundreds of senior executives I’ve worked with on planning the “next steps” in their careers. One constant is that successful leaders want to continue to be relevant and appreciated.  Increasingly, however, having the biggest office or title is less important to them than other factors.

Living where you and your family really prefer, for example, has grown in importance.  How many of your peers have focused on where they want to live, then built their next career move around that choice?  One of my Clients did. He turned down an offer that represented a prestigious career move, but in a location not acceptable to his family.  He then created a great alternative, paving the way with three key decisions.

George was the Executive Director of a major performing arts organization, and had held similar roles for 25 years.  That is a co-CEO role, and there is always dynamic tension with the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors.  As we worked together on his chapter two, his first key decision was not to be a co-CEO anymore. That is where his expertise and credentials were centered, so not the easy choice, but he was tired of the energy consumed to make those daily compromises.

The second key decision was to turn down a firm offer to be CEO of a major performing arts venue.  The role would have been perfect, but the location was not. He and his wife had lived in the area before, and did not want to make it their long-term home again.  It was too far away from where their children were settling.  He discussed commuting, but weekend performances and fundraising obligations would have kept him away from his family more than was acceptable.

This led George and his wife to an enviable third decision — to center their next chapter around where they wanted to live.  Over several years he and his wife had become enamored with  Wilmington, NC and had hoped to make it part of their future.  They loved the water and liked to sail, and it was close enough to their children without being too close.  Why not now?  After some networking and visits to Wilmington it seemed there was good potential of being hired in the area.  The Wilmington decision was made — now the question was how to make it a truly great choice and move.

The extensive work we did around Setting Your Compass^® expanded his thinking, and. inspired him to consider something he’d never done before — be his own boss by owning a small business.  It was a big step, and he naturally needed reinforcing.  Our assessments and Personal Board Members told him he had unique strengths and qualities as an entrepreneur, providing that reinforcement.  Today he is the owner of a professional service business in Wilmington.  The investment was modest, and within a successful executive’s reach.  George can run the business as long as he wishes — then he’ll either sell it or hire a manager to run it for him.  The net income is compelling, and he is building an asset that can be sold in the future.

Quite a change from the not-for-profit world.  A great outcome, for him and his family.  Our hat is off to George for thinking and planning ahead, and focusing on what is really important.  We know from experience that many senior executives have similar thoughts — but never get around to acting on them until it is too late.

— Jim Deupree