There IS Life After Leadership

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The fact that Black women are woefully underrepresented in leadership positions is a well known fact. But what happens when you get there can often be overlooked.

It’s been a tough year – we’ve all heard about the challenges employees and the HR fraternity have faced but no-one’s talking about the leaders!

It's been a really interesting period for them too.

Leaders have had it incredibly tough, just like you this whole pandemic "ish" was new to them. 

• It presented incredible opportunities for leaders to change how they operate.
• It’s been a real learning curve for them just as much as it has been everybody else.
• They've had to lead in a world of uncertainty and feelings as well as ensuring organizations stayed afloat to safeguard the livelihoods of those they lead.
• They’ve had to change how they engage with their employees and customers (sometimes for the better).
• And strive to provide an environment where people can continue to embrace uncertainty as we enter the post pandemic period.
• Navigating the racial tensions that are now a constant

And if you're a Female Black leader.......?

There's an unwanted pressure when you're a Female Black Leader - persons expect you to be the oracle of things Black;

• To share your view of what's happening in the world
• To offload their own guilt by letting you know that they're an Ally
• To get you to explain how you feel about all the racial injustices
• To comfort them (because caring for others above ourselves is what we do)

When you're desperately trying to make sense of it all yourself.

Oh and did I mention protecting their own families and mental health?

There was no MBA in Pandemic Leadership!

In my coaching practice, I’m speaking to a lot of women who are considering whether leadership is for them and it’s a valid query for them to be addressing. After all, most have been in the game a while, they’re facing mid-life and considering whether “Is this it?” “Is this my life for the next 15-20 years?” (Remember global retirement ages range between 65-68, so there’s a way to go yet!) 

It’s a tough decision or a stark reality to face;

• Yes, they could be burnt out, they’ve had to operate at an elevated level on all spheres for an extended period.
• Then there’s expectation, they don’t feel like being a leader but everyone says their career goal is to be a CEO, shouldn’t they feel the same?
• Shouldn’t they be grateful they still have a job, given the economy?
• How will they survive without their golden handcuffs (aka salary)?
• Or maybe the pandemic has shown them that what they value in life has changed, after all no-one said it had to be a job for life.

But the internal struggle is real, because if they’re not a leader Who are they? What else can they do? So many define who they are through their title and position. 

If this resonates with you as a leader read on, if not continue reading as someone you know is facing the same dilemma! 

So Leader, however you spin it, you can’t convince yourself. Something doesn’t feel right. Being a leader is just not your thing anymore.

Let me tell you, it’s really OK if you don’t want to be a leader.

And it doesn’t mean you are not ambitious. It just means you want something else, something different.

Let me share a few pieces of advice both from my own experience and those I coach;

Know you’re not alone. - This is not a Me, Myself and I situation. The number of leaders who secretly yearn for the days when they were responsible for themselves—and themselves alone—is staggering, (I’ve been there). It’s one of the core reasons shared during my initial career strategy conversations, when Leaders are exploring their options. I always tell them that there’s no shame in not wanting to lead, it’s a natural transition to want a change in career.

Own your choice. - I’ll say it again: There’s no shame in not wanting to lead. The real shame is not wanting to lead and staying in a leadership role. Step into your decision and be honest with yourself and those close to you. Your transition will be far easier having them in your camp.

Lean…out and don’t worry about what others think. - Women have been encouraged to lean in and go for the opportunities—all of them!—and that’s amazing. The headlines are screaming that the pandemic has caused a mass exodus of women leaving their careers and that has stunted women’s leadership progress. I’m not disputing that, but couldn’t it also be that some have realized that leadership just isn’t the right fit for them, right now? Isn’t possible that they just might want to utilize their skills in careers more aligned to their current values? And that’s ok. Making that decision doesn’t mean they’re blaspheming Sheryl Sandberg; it means they’re confidently asserting their own needs.

Don’t go it alone. - I’ve always been of the opinion that adults should receive career guidance all through their career, not just exam/subject selection time. Just as we sought help and guidance to attain the career we have now, we need help and guidance to navigate our next career chapter. Seek advice from those who have already made their own transition (you know the colleagues you thought were crazy at the time). Speak to someone whose expertise is supporting persons through the transition process. It’s a big step, so take all the support you need. 

Again, it’s really OK if you don’t want to be a leader and there is another career avenue waiting for you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Janice Sutherland is CEO of award winning leadership development consultancy This Woman Can and is an expert at helping mid-career, professional women of color re-align their careers while staying true to their values and personal and professional priorities. 

As an award winning coach, she supports those women over 40 who worry about being on a path that they are not passionate about, helping them to find a role that is in alignment with their purpose. Ultimately becoming more deliberate with the outcomes in their life leading to more flexibility, choice and freedom.

UK born, Janice migrated to her ancestral country of Antigua & Barbuda, rising to become one of the first Caribbean female CEOs in the Telecoms Sector, later pivoting careers to become an executive coach, international best selling author, podcast host and sought after speaker.  

She is the author of international best-seller This Woman Can - The no bullsh*t guide for women who lead and host of the popular career podcast This Woman Can.  

For more information email: info@janicesutherland.com or visit janicesutherland.com