At some level, we are all in a race. There are times when we feel ready and fit and there are times when we are labouring to keep up. There are times when we cannot get to the finish line due to circumstances beyond our control.
Ask any competitor how it feels to lose their position with their team or who have suffered a career setback ranging from an injury to a temporary decline in performance and you will get similar answers. Many struggle as their sense of belonging, their sense of purpose, their very sense of self are all susceptible to the change. Yet, through determination, hard work and often a change in environment, they can get back on track.
Just like athletes, some executives lose their positions solely because a new owner or leader wants to create a new squad. Maybe there has been a change in philosophy and your “game” suddenly no longer suits their needs. Sometimes people get distracted by life’s events, or lose their energy or drive and like an athlete, a change of scenery can be beneficial.
There are times when a person really does need to revitalize a career, just as athletes do. With Clements United our clients return to “training camp.” They benefit from stepping back, taking stock and getting some honest feedback. It is an opportunity for a person to evaluate goals, to regroup, collect thoughts and gain perspective.
Once ready to return to action, we work with our clients to develop a “race strategy” and coach them as they pursue their next opportunity. Getting to the finish line will involve hard work, some luck and disappointment but there will be personal growth, and we try to have some fun too.