If you’re a Baby Boomer or a member of Generation X, you’re likely in the peak of your career right now. You’re actively driving your company forward, thinking one, five and ten years down the road.
But, are you putting the same energy and intention into your own professional development?
Do you have a concrete vision of how you’d like to spend your next few years of full-time work before you retire? Even more importantly, do you have a career development plan that will get you there?
Tenured Leaders Neglecting Their Own Professional Development
The CEO of a biotech company summed up what many accomplished executives experience when it comes to (lack of) career planning:
“My career had been a real whirlwind for 25 years. One big thing, onto the next,” the CEO explained. “I had never taken any meaningful time out to think strategically about where I am, and more importantly, where I wanted to go.”
Do you have a concrete vision of how you’d like to spend your next few years of full-time work before you retire?
We often see this situation with leaders in their 50s and early 60s. Busy with the day-to-day demands of an executive role as well as home and family, there’s little inclination to reflect on your own ambitions—much less how to move forward.
But, that’s exactly what experienced leaders should be doing. Working with a team of executive career coaches can help you get there.
Put Yourself in the Driver’s Seat with One-on-One Guidance
Just what is a “executive career support”? It’s taking a proactive approach to your professional development by working with a team of experts.
Restless in your current role or ready for new challenges? A career coaching engagement can bring clarity
This one-on-one coaching is a smart investment. Too often, executives mistakenly assume that the next great opportunity—be it additional responsibilities, a global role or a corporate board seat, for example—will simply appear one day. An executive recruiter, a past colleague or the CHRO will set the wheels in motion. We wish it were that easy!
Working with a dedicated executive career team puts you in the driver’s seat. It’s useful even if you’re not in the market for a new role, as the insights and resources gained can help you find new ways to share your purpose and passions. Taking stock and identifying your priorities can reinvigorate job satisfaction and open new doors with your current employer.
My out-of-pocket investment with Navigate Forward literally paid for itself year one; it was truly transformational
— Retail executive
In fact, after working with our team, a retail executive found her “dream job” within her own organization. Our guidance helped her pivot to an opportunity in operations, then thrive in a competitive interview process.
“My out-of-pocket investment with Navigate Forward literally paid for itself year one,” she said. “I was absolutely miserable in my previous role. I can say with overwhelming confidence that this investment in myself changed my life.”
She added, “I went from not wanting to get out of bed in the morning to brewing a pot of coffee, excited about what I’ll learn that day. It was truly transformational.”
How Executive Career Coaching Works
If you’re restless in your current role or ready for new challenges, a career coaching engagement can help clarify your options and determine next steps. If you’ve got a clear goal in mind already, these experienced resources can help you fast-track the tools and effort needed to achieve it.
Typical career support engagements for executives include:
- Guided self-reflection and discovery to explore what matters most to you, particularly in your the last 10-15 years of full-time work.
- Discussion and prioritization to align your skills, your experience and your passions with your work.
- Creating a step-by-step plan to bring your vision to life.
- Developing the tools you need, such as stellar elevator speech, resume, LinkedIn profile and/or board bio.
- A team of experts by your side for everything from day-to-day accountability to best practices on positioning yourself, interview prep, networking and salary negotiation.
There are a number of individuals and firms in this market space, so it’s important to find a resource that’s the right fit for you. Working with an individual can be less expensive and more flexible, but will likely require you to source additional experts for tasks like resume writing and LinkedIn optimization. With a team, you’ll have access to a variety of specialists and a more process-driven approach.
Finally, a focus on career development for executives (those in VP and C-Suite roles) will be more likely to add value compared to a generalist. Look for career consultants with backgrounds in executive search and recruiting, board service, human resources, talent development or corporate leadership.
After 25 Years, Career Choices Have Bigger Consequences
The biotech CEO was at first skeptical about executive career support, but quickly saw value from putting more effort into his own career plans. His job search resulted in a new offer. Even better, having considered both his immediate move and his goals for retirement, he was able to structure the new position with room for complementary board of direct work that would provide a springboard to his next chapter.
When you’re 25 years into your career, making sure the next thing you do is as good as it can be is really an essential investment
— Biotech CEO
“Time is an incredibly precious commodity,” the CEO observed. “When you’re 25 years into your career, the steps you make feel more important than in the past, because there aren’t that many left to make. A misstep can easily cost you five years. Making sure that the next thing you do is as good as it can be is really an essential investment.”
Is career coaching right for you? Learn more about Navigate Forward’s proven process and meet our team of peer-to-peer consultants.