I recently spoke to a group of Ohio women who were members of WELD, or Women for Economic and Leadership Development. I often feel like a hired hand when I speak, but in this case there was a real connection. I felt on top of the world; I owned the room.
Which reminded me that my ego is alive and well. I wasn’t happy about the news. In transitioning to work far afield of executive roles, one of my hopes was to dismantle that corporate ego.
Slowly, day-by-day, it falls away. But’s a process. I recall the last few years of work at Scripps Networks, when I left behind operating responsibilities to run a staff job — brand partnerships in social outreach. I was setting myself up to transition out of SNI. With the move, I no longer had a line of people wanting meetings and face time. I was no longer the popular girl at the dance. I felt the painful bruising to that corporate ego, despite wanting to begin a new life chapter.
Those of us who have lived in the high cotton of senior roles, and now want a new start apart from it all, know it is indeed a process to shed all the corporate armor and to quiet our ego. In my experience, women do a better job than men. It’s as if we’ve known all along that our worth is measured by the whole of us. That as women, there are many roles we take on and each of them enriches us. We’re hardwired to seek a sense of purpose that makes us whole.
I once read that retired male CEO’s have the greatest incidence of heart attacks on Mondays. Without their work identity, what, now, are they? There are probably a zillion consultants out there working in this field, trying to help senior business leaders transition from big job/big ego, to new beginnings. I hope so. It is indeed a process.
Susan,
You hit the nail on the head by calling this a “process.” Indeed it is. Those transitioning out of big roles can manage expectations up front if they go in with the mindset that it is a process.
Thanks for your kind mention of your experience with WELD! Your keynote address is still the talk of the city!
Barb