In today’s super competitive business arena, even those who are considered giants of their industry are no longer considered to be in a safe position – and sometimes are even the first to be relieved of duty.

For many senior executives, the time when they will be eased out the door is approaching – and often it will arrive sooner than they would like.  This is really no big surprise.  For many of these people, their job is intimately connected to who they are.  It is tied up with their sense of self-worth and their identity. They will miss the power and prestige and influence they have now.

John Baldoni, a leadership development consultant, argues that those who are beginning their tenure as leaders need to keep this in mind.  Their legacy is formed by the accretion of all their actions over the span of their career.  It’s not something created just during the final episode, the last year or several years in the CEO’s office or executive suite.

But when the time comes to step down, leaders often are at a loss.  They don’t know what to do.  Their job has been their whole life.  Often their personal lives, as well as avocations or hobbies, have been sacrificed to their career, so  when the career ends, they’re left with a gaping void.  So what Baldoni advises is that leaders — and leaders of the future — take the time now to develop their lives outside of work. Don’t wait for that first day of retirement and think that suddenly you can reorient everything.

Baldoni suggests several ways to do this.  One way is to cultivate friendships.  Also, do what you can when you can with your family.  You may not always be able to be there, but when you have the opportunity, you should always take advantage of it.

Another way to build up your life outside the job is to find something you love to do – other than work.  And whatever it may be, make time to do it.

A third way is to contribute to your community through volunteerism.  This is an excellent way to enrich your life and make it much more satisfying.

Make the time to do these things now, Baldoni says – don’t wait until it is too late, and you find yourself retired with no interests outside of your job.

If you’re looking to work your way up the management ladder at companies in the Washington Metro area, contact RealStreet Staffing. Let us help you work your way up in management. We look forward to hearing from you.