👏 I say WELL DONE when leaders decide to step down, particularly after having delivered challenging mandates.
➡️ Leaders, particularly politicians and CEOs must have honest conversations with themselves at critical points during their mandates. For example, when assessing the achievement of one set of strategic objectives and developing new/future plans.
🤔An important question that has to be honestly answered at these critical points is:
❓Do I have what it takes – emotionally and physically + the support of essential people – to continue leading and delivering on the mandate?
👍If the honest, truthful answer is NO, then it’s time to GO.
There is much to be learned from the reasons why good leaders, particularly women, quit.
Referring to Youtube CEO Susan Wojcicki’s decision to step down at Google, Valerie Workman, now Chief Talent Engagement Officer at job-search platform Handshake said, “If you were the head of YouTube, how is it a fail that you decide to go and do something else when you’ve made it as far as you can possibly go?”
“They’re meeting their goals and being successful, and some are choosing to leave before they get burned out,” Workman added. “It’s a phenomenal example for young women. That’s a success story.”
We know that the demands of career are all human-made.
Therefore, the stress that results from the constant fight to succeed in business can be undone. Business leaders can decide that work can be done differently.
The worst thing in life is to feel that you have “arrived” and there is nothing better to strive towards. Knowing when to move on is key to becoming the best version of yourself. Truly great leaders know this. And it’s not only good for them, but for business and the society too.
If we consider life to be a journey, we will always look forward to achieving another set of goals, objectives, or level of achievement, whether professional, personal, athletic, or otherwise.
See the BIG picture. Focus on what’s important.
Further reading
The BIPOC Manager #36 – Making A Strategic Exit
The BIPOC Manager #19 – Asking for Winning Conditions
theBIGpicture Camille 