(This is the prologue in a mid-career retrospective series on my professional life. Each article in the series recounts events in one decade of my career. At the end of each piece, I summarise what those events taught me about leadership. All articles in this series are hosted on my blog.)
I am often asked how I ended up in leadership consulting and coaching. Recounting my career story usually invites more questions from conversation partners, sometimes through furrowed eyebrows that hint at intrigue.
The truth is, my eclectic work experience does not organise neatly into a conventional CV. I have a résumé that head-hunters politely call “interesting,” but is otherwise unplaceable. Throughout my career, I have mostly had to design my own journey across industries and countries. With thanks to benefactors and mentors, I have enjoyed successes and mulled over disappointments. There have been many acquaintances made along the way. Some of these have turned into friendships, while a few friends have become confidants.
Each of us has a unique and fascinating story. No two lives are identical. Yet, as I think back on my experiences, they tell me that our respective individualities rest on a shared reality that defines being homo sapien. And it is this: As people, we are constantly occupied by questions about relationships, meaning in work, and personal values. I have had to contemplate these matters repeatedly throughout my career. Notably, the higher I ascended on the leadership ladder, the more intensely these questions dogged me.
Many peers and clients have shared the same with me. Their stories tell of varied leadership lessons about the triumvirate that rule over each of our conscience – relationships, meaning in work, and personal values. As is the case for many things in life, these lessons become clear only in retrospection, long after having lived through the moments. Indeed, much of my work today involves helping clients to look back in order to move forward. Some might consider this useless navel-gazing or a case of water under the bridge. For many others – myself included – deep reflection is where we find focus, intention, and a strong sense of self.
In this vein, I have written a series of mid-career retrospectives that I would like to share with you over the coming weeks. Each article in this series will explore experiences in a decade of my working life. At the end of each piece, I summarise what those experiences taught me about leadership. Perhaps you will see similar lessons in your own experiences.
The next article in my mid-career retrospective series, covering the first part of my 20s, will drop on 12 October 2024. Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified.
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As a leadership consultant and coach, I help organisations and individuals use good leadership practices to succeed. Email me to discuss how we can work together.
