Tag Archive for: career transition

This article was originally published in the newspaper “La Estrella” and is part of a biweekly column from the ICF Panama Chapter to disseminate what Professional Coaching is. It seeks to inform, create more awareness and differentiate professional coaching, in which the Coach is governed by ethical principles and is continually improving his or her skills.

See the original article in this Link.

In a complex and uncertain world in which longevity is increasing and experience highly valued, developing a retirement plan can serve as a guide for the senior professional, in the last years of his corporate career, and support an active retirement, in accordance with a purpose, legacy and passions.

Planning our professional life and retirement from corporate life is not an end in itself, it is a process that allows us to open new options, perspectives and horizons, and be more prepared to adapt to changes, even unforeseen situations such as professional transitions, unemployment in senior professionals, early retirement, or changes necessary for personal or family reasons.

A coaching process can support:

• Clarify or identify personal purpose, aspirational legacy and vision of the desired future.
• Define, among other possible dimensions, the level of mental, cognitive, physical and spiritual stimulation desired.
• Clarify the level of involvement and flexibility intended with the different possible activities.
• Delimit the type of possible activities, such as regular professional activities, time-limited projects, leisure activities, well-being and health, personal development activities, among others.
• Frame the future vision and objectives set with interpersonal and/or family dynamics, considering the main people of interest.
• Framing the planned or necessary income stream according to different areas of life.
• Put into perspective the different dimensions of the external context and its potential impact.

When the goal is an early retirement from corporate life or planning career changes, it may be helpful to reflect on:

• Our passions and natural interests, identifying activities that motivate us and give us energy.
• Our strengths and the soft skills and competencies developed throughout life.
• Our main people of interest: how they impact us and how we impact them, and the value we want to create with and for them.
• Relationships and connections to cultivate, maintain or reinforce, according to the desired future.

And we must identify:

• The roles played throughout the professional career, considering areas and functions of experience, the level of influence of the roles played, the industries and type of organisations in which we work, the scope of the functions, international experience and knowledge of cultural differences.
• The operational, informal and strategic contact networks, and the first level (direct contacts) and second level (contacts of contacts).

In defining possible activities, creativity and innovation and the evolution of society’s needs and values are dimensions to consider.

Some of the professional activities possible in retirement from corporate life are:

• Consultant, mentor, speaker, educator or coach roles.
• Functions as interim executive, advisor or member of boards of directors.
• Development of entrepreneurship and professional service activities, which transform interests and passions into businesses, or support for family businesses.
• Volunteer projects.

New activities connected to social networks, such as those of influencer, They grow in importance and expand their influence in all areas of the population, so they are also an option.

The support of a professional coach in this reflection makes it possible to clarify the desired future, motivation and commitment, expanding options, diversifying perspectives and framing possibilities, in a constant interaction with our purpose and values and the needs, demands and changes in the context.

Author: Fátima Ribeiro

The author is PCC (ICF Professional Certified Coach), Coach in professional development, leadership and teams processes, and member of the Board of Directors of ICF Panama.