Retirement and Career Endings

Traditionally, preparing for retirement has been all about finances, with the emotional, relational and psychological aspects left ignored. However, some organisations, particularly professional services firms, are now beginning to “actively prime outgoing partners for life after the firm” through coaching.

This week I wanted to share an article by financial planner Mark Cussen on the six stages of retirement. He says that those who “have given serious time and thought to what they will do after they retire will generally experience a smoother transition than those who haven't”.

Back in the olden days (mid-March), I wrote this post about how important it is to think beyond only finances when approaching retirement.  I didn’t publish it as the time, as events overtook us. Now, it applies equally powerfully for all of us facing big questions about who we are and what we do.

Being true to your own values and identity and living and working alongside people with different values and identities is important and actually helps organisations deliver better outcomes. However sometimes you find yourself in a position where refusing to adapt, and walking away, is the right call. This week I explore that further…

When someone leaves a system – a role, an organisation, a social group – the impact on both them and the system they leave behind can be profound. When not handled well, it can lead to serious dysfunction in the organisation as system attempts to restore balance. Here are my tips for handling retirement from professional services firms.

There are four common mistakes that smart, focused partners can make as retirement approaches.

With the right planning however, you have the ability to forge a different path, and turn the years up to and beyond retirement into a fulfilling encore career that is engaging, rewarding… and fun.

For retired (or soon-to-be) partners of a law firm, the opportunity exists across the alumni network to share wisdom and skills, to have a positive impact, and to enliven and be enlivened by the constantly evolving world in which we all live. There is plenty of benefit for both the firm and alumni to continue this valuable relationship. Read more…

One of the most common hurdles blocking a soon-to-retire partner from doing so with ease and enthusiasm for their next chapter is a fear that their hard-built practice will wither and die. And fair enough… but sooner or later, retire they must. So if this is you, what can you do to ensure your practice is cared for?