The majority of people don’t get the chance to consider taking their career and lives in a different direction, especially midway through their career. The perceived risks are often considered too high. So, it often remains nothing more than an aspiration or a dream.
But the enforced and prolonged change to work/life balance over the last year has, for many, fast-tracked those thoughts and provided the opportunity to embrace being at a crossroads and explore alternative directions.
In fact, according to research from Aviva more than half of UK workers – 53 percent – of people plan to make a change to their career in the next 12 months as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Are you reconsidering what you do, why you do it and whether you want to continue? What would make you change direction?
- Maybe you have now realised that you feel a lack of personal purpose?
- Or has your purpose simply been intertwined with your organisation’s purpose?
- Alternatively, you may be disappointed by the lack of compassion and leadership around you, or conversely been pleasantly surprised by who has stepped up and felt inspired?
Everyone has different circumstances, but if it’s simply a question of being brave, then I highly recommend you pause and think before continuing in the same direction.
Last Summer I decided to set up the REAL Leadership Consultancy as I realised it would give me a personal purpose that had previously been lacking. I decided I wanted to challenge the traditional notion of leadership, give aspiring leaders the chance to learn a different style of leadership, not follow some old-fashioned template.
I wanted to grow better leaders.
The catalyst for me was to make sure that “post-pandemic” leaders recognised the ongoing importance of empathy and authenticity, as they rebuild their businesses and cultures.
Most of my friends and colleagues thought I was mad, many thought I was having a mid-life crisis, but 9 months later I’m so glad I changed direction, pandemic or not.
Is it time for you to change direction? If you’d like to chat with someone who’s done it, send me a note as I’d love to hear from you. Alternatively, are you intrigued by what finally made me be brave and change direction? Read my previous blog post here.
#newopportunities #leadership #business #newjobs #changeofdirection
