As talent developers, we’re usually focused on our clients—participants in our programs, strategic leaders and their vision, etc. But every so often it’s a good idea to stop and think about our own development and careers. This should include planning for how our careers will end in retirement. Or will they?
Talent Development Careers
Generally, people enter the talent development profession in one of two ways. The first is by choosing talent development as a career. Even this approach has several doorways, with people filling roles as administrators, trainers, instructional designers, evaluators and coaches.
The second way to enter the career is by being a subject-matter expert (SME) who gets involved in talent development and stays. As with career talent developers, SMEs can move into and through the many roles in our field.
But what about when it ends? How do we make the transition to retirement? Let’s explore the two basic approaches, and the possibilities within each.
The Horse Race
Many people treat their careers like horse races: running full-out to the finish line and stopping. It can feel good to stop working! But it also has a dark side, with four stages you’ll likely go through before you settle into retirement:
- That first year or so when it just feels good not going into the office. But you can only play so much golf and read so many books before you start asking, “Is this all there is?” That can lead to the second stage of this cycle….
- Just not working doesn’t feel all that great anymore. You can feel lost. This leads to….
- This is the stage where you start asking big questions, like what your purpose is and what you should be doing in retirement. Working at that question can lead to….
- Resolution, where you have found your new identity and can be happy with it.
If you begin this cycle, let’s hope you complete it. Not everyone does, with people frequently getting stuck in the Depression or Confusion stages, sometimes for the rest of their lives. But there is another way, a way to plan for what retirement will be for you.
The Relay Race
In a relay race, each runner finishes a part of the race, then hands the baton to the next runner. In your retirement relay race, you’re both runners, with your working self handing off the baton to your retired self. And, like a relay race in a track meet, you’ll do it with purpose and design.
What Chief Learning Officers (CLOs) Say
In my research at the University of Leicester with CLOs, I explored the question of where they went when they were done (or planned to be done) with being CLOs. Here’s a partial list:
- Yes, some people follow the Horse Race model above and simply stop working.
- This can be in academic or corporate/organizational settings.
- Writing and Speaking. In retirement, talent developers often stay connected to the profession, becoming (or remaining) experts recognized for what they know and share.
- Whether on their own or working with consulting firms, they continue to contribute part- or full-time.
Protean Careers
There are many other possibilities, as well as the opportunity to mix and match many of them. If you’re following the Relay Race, you can create a “protean career,” one that you shape and fit to your own goals, desires and other commitments. This protean career can be a great fit for those who want to stay active in talent development after they’ve formally retired from their jobs.
Next Steps
It’s never too soon to begin thinking about how you’ll enter retirement and what you’ll be and do during that phase of your life. Whether you follow the Horse Race or Relay Race model, don’t do it alone! Consider:
- Who are the people in your life who can help, advise and engage you regarding your retirement?
- Is there the opportunity to work with a coach—either through your employer or on your own—who is trained to partner with people like you to achieve their goals? (There are even coaches who are certified, trained and experienced in retirement coaching)
Conclusion
Regardless of the path you chose—full retirement (Horse Race) or a transition into a new way of being active in the talent development profession (Relay Race), you’ll be best served by two points. First, plan and change those plans as your life and career develop. Second, you’re not alone. Seek support and guidance where you can. After all, we can’t forget to develop the talent developer!