My wife likes to say I’ve ‘retired’ and my kids say I’m taking a ‘gap year.’ At 55, the truth is probably somewhere in between. I don’t plan to actively seek employment in 2022 and I don’t think I’ll ever return to the full-time grind, but I also don’t think I’ve completely finished my professional contribution.
I’ve just stepped away from a fantastic 7-year relationship with SMG Insight/ YouGov Sport and amidst the congratulations and jealousy, most people also want to know why. So do I.
Part of what feels so great about the space I’m in right now is that I’m in no hurry to figure out what’s next. I’ve told myself I’m not even going to think about that until at least February. But that still leaves the ‘why’ unanswered.
I’ve asked myself if this is just a copycat move in the wake of ‘the great resignation’ spawned by COVID. I honestly say ‘no’. It was only after I had made my departure decision that I noticed so many others in the world were making similar moves. This realisation makes me think/hope that most ‘resigners’ are of independent thought.
Am I running away from something? If so, it’s not YouGov. I’m leaving behind some amazing people to whom I’m hugely grateful and who I hope to call friends for the rest of my days.
I prefer to think I’m running toward the current and future version of the real me. This ‘toward’ concept was introduced and ingrained in me in my days at RBS through both group and personal coaching from the awesome Johnny Parks and his team at TOWARD Ltd. Moving ‘toward’ something you believe in puts a smile on your face and makes you want to jump out of bed. The converse is equally powerful.
Frank Saez at YouGov always embraced my desire to move toward things that mattered to me, and I hope the whole company does that with everyone. I think I just ran out of scope for the real me in that environment. If I’m running away from anything, it’s simply the absence of something powerful to run toward.
The real me that I’m moving toward is yet to be fully defined (check back in Feb) but I know that it takes its time to be thoughtful and considered. It is open to new ideas and opposing opinions. It wants to not only be selfless, but to promote selflessness in others. It believes the list of admired and aspirational traits in today’s leadership needs a significant edit. It recognises that massive journeys start with baby steps and that great change happens one mind at a time. And most importantly it realises now, finally, that success and achievement is not measured by money or titles, but by family, friends, positive contribution and meaningful relationships… whether personal or professional.
So that’s the road I’m on. I hope to bump into some of you along the way. Safe travels…
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