SGR's 10in10 Note on Servant Leadership - May 24, 2023

SGR

Recruiting, Assessing and Developing Innovative, Collaborative Authentic Leaders

Published May 24, 2023

There has never been a better time to #RethinkRetirement.

In the first 18 months of the pandemic, roughly 2.4 million more Americans than predicted chose to retire. That was a lot more than regular demographic trends could have predicted. There were many reasons behind the rush to retire, including health and safety concerns.

But over the past year, about 1.5 million retirees have re-entered the workforce. Their reasons for returning to work are as varied as they were for leaving. An article entitled “The Unretirement Phenomenon: Why Leaders Are Calling It Quits on Retirement” is about this very thing. If you’re retired and thinking about “un-retiring,” or if you’re thinking about retiring but don’t want to fully commit to leaving your professional life behind, it’s a valuable read.

The article references respect for “earned wisdom” in the marketplace and a desire among “retirees” to still play a role in relevant work. As someone who has been involved in recruiting retired local government executives, I can vouch that those sentiments are at or near the top of the list for those looking to redefine their so-called retirement years.

What’s really changed is the market. The sheer number of people who retired during Covid has created a greater demand for the skills of smart, seasoned leaders in almost every aspect of local government—from police and fire to finance to city management and pretty much everything in between. And they’re returning on their terms—picking assignments that suit their plans and working with organizations they choose. The result is a win-win for everyone involved.

Here's my caveat to anyone thinking about “unretirement” as their next stage. I encourage you to plan your “unretirement” just as you planned your career. Find out what life as an interim, consultant, or embedded professional could mean. Get the facts and find out the best way to transition from full retirement or from full-time employment.

At SGR, we’ve been placing retired local government executives in dynamic organizations for years. We know what it takes and how to make it work for those who choose this path. If you’re currently retired, if you’re planning to retire but feel you’re not “done” yet, or if you know someone in either situation, get in touch with Wendle D. Medford , President of Interim, Consulting & Embedded Services at SGR. He’ll be happy to talk about rethinking retirement.

Have a great week, everyone.

- Ron Holifield