From Corporate to Executive Encore: Redefining Your Next Chapter

Rediscover Your Identity and Redefine Who You Want to Be in Your Next Chapter 

Transitioning from a thriving corporate career to the next chapter of life is a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and endless possibilities. This shift, referred to as the "Executive Encore" by me, my clients, and my colleagues, presents an opportunity to leverage your years of expertise, share your wisdom with the world, and explore exciting new paths for personal and professional fulfillment towards self-actualization.

But how do you balance your established professional identity with your future life and work? And how do you make sure this next chapter is full of the creativity, purpose, and growth you're looking for? This blog will take you through a few key steps to achieve a meaningful and fulfilling transformation. Dive in and discover what's in your future!

Understanding the Identity Shift

Leaving a high-powered corporate role can be tough, especially when it comes to navigating an identity shift. For many of us, it’s easy to tie our sense of self-worth to job titles or career accomplishments. When those markers aren’t front and center anymore, it can feel like something is missing or like we are abandoning a part of ourselves that was once valued.

Many of us hold on to that identity because we’re afraid of losing a part of ourselves. There is a grieving process that involves acknowledging the loss and reconciling that our lives are changing, for the better.

The truth is, your identity extends far beyond your job title. It’s shaped by your values, passions, relationships, and the unique talents you’ve cultivated over the years. Your identity has evolved in tandem with your investment in yourself.

Now is the time to maximize the value of your investment and build on it.

Taking a step back to separate yourself from your professional role can be a powerful and freeing experience as you move toward your next chapter.

Start by asking yourself:

• What do I value most about the work I’ve done and the reputation I have built?
• Which skills and contributions bring me real joy and fulfillment?
• What am I ready to leave behind, and what do I want to bring with me?

Taking time to reflect will help you create a clear and authentic picture of who you are now and serve as your personal "North Star" to guide you through this exciting transition to who you want to be in this "prime time" of your life.

Leveraging Your Skills and Reputation for New Opportunities

Your Executive Encore is not about starting over; it’s about evolving and using your accumulated experience to pave a path forward. The key is identifying how your skills and reputation can translate into fulfilling new roles or endeavours. For women senior executives and highly-skilled professionals, initiatives like consulting, board memberships, entrepreneurship, and mentorship flourish in this phase of life. For most people, it's the obvious path. But the real gems? They’re hidden like treasure. Grab a shovel, ditch the map, and start thinking outside the sandbox.

The key is to start identifying activities that will best prepare you to pursue new opportunities.

The RAISEC system, a framework that identifies personality-inspired career and post-career inclinations, is a useful tool for understanding how your strengths align with potential opportunities. For instance:

• Enterprising Types thrive in roles focused on leadership, consulting, and public speaking.
• Social Connectors excel at mentoring, teaching, or contributing to social impact projects.
• Artistic Creators often unlock joy and fulfillment in creative pursuits like writing, design, or launching passion-driven ventures.

Imagine the impact of this combination on an individual who is unleashed after a corporate life. Imagine the opportunities.

By leaning into your strengths and passions, you create opportunities that not only maintain but enhance the sense of purpose you once found in corporate leadership.

Unleashing Creativity Beyond Corporate Roles

One of the delights of this new phase is the chance to explore activities and pursuits that may have taken a backseat during your corporate years or new ones that you could never have imagined. Creative endeavours, including art, design, writing, entrepreneurship, or community projects, not only rejuvenate the mind but can also provide a sense of liberation, fulfillment, and self-actualization.

Think beyond your previous boundaries:

• Is there a skill or hobby, an interest or activity, you've always wished to pursue?
• Would you find joy in launching a small niche business or mentoring others in your field?
• Could you channel your structured corporate skills into a new creative outlet?

No matter the form, creativity is a vital element that fosters personal growth, adaptability, and happiness for many professionals in their Executive Encore phase.

Expand Your Community and Discover a New You!

A big part of feeling fulfilled at any stage of life is having a strong, supportive network. You've worked hard to build an excellent professional reputation, and it’s something to be proud of!

However, you might be so well-known in your network that it’s like you’re stuck in a sitcom rerun. Your Executive Encore is a great time to shake things up and try a plot twist!

Your corporate network provided you with great connections and opportunities, but now is the perfect time to expand your community and build relationships that fit this new chapter of life, outside the boundaries of corporate life and work. This is your chance to redefine who you are, what you want to be known for, and to remaster your life and work. You’re so much more than just a corporate executive or professional!

Consider:

• Joining networks, groups, or nonprofit organizations outside your typical professional boundaries.
• Attending events or workshops that unite people with shared values versus business goals. Be prepared to enjoy meeting new people and stepping out to explore new communities.
• Becoming part of online communities where you can exchange new ideas, lessons, and inspiration.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals feels like a safe and supportive environment in which to, perhaps, discover new opportunities and form lasting relationships.

However, consider trying something different - a different activity, a different network, or a new group. Expand your community.

I’ve met so many women approaching their Executive Encore who took a leap, tried something totally out of their usual zone, and accidentally found their ideal community with zero pressure, no competition, and just a whole squad of “girls who just wanna have fun!”

Take Charge of Your Executive Encore Experience

This phase of life is not the end of your "bio". It’s an opening act in a chapter that YOU get to write. By redefining your identity, leaning into your strengths, and unleashing your creativity, you can create a future more enriching and exciting than you ever imagined.

Ready to elevate into a new spotlight? 

Whether you're diving into a new professional role that reflects a new, even better version of who you were, or if you are making a significant shift in your identity, your Executive Encore could be the beginning of your greatest performance yet.

Are you looking for guidance and inspiration?

The Executive Encore coaching programs offer personalized strategies, assessments such as RAISEC and EQ 2.0, and other tools to help you thrive during this transformation. 

To learn more about crafting your Executive Encore and unlocking your lasting legacy with emotional intelligence, contact me on my website's Contact Page or schedule an Executive Encore: 30-Minute Complimentary Call.

Join a community of like-minded women senior executives, business owners, and professionals. Subscribe to the Encore newsletter below for exclusive insights, resources, and invitations to webinar events. 

Watch and listen to the Executive Encore video podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is where your Executive Encore begins?