Last Time Protestations— Healthy Skepticism

By Tom Casey and Claire Hebert-Dow

Discussion Partners would like to wish you and your families a terrific holiday season and outstanding 2023!

As many executives are accelerating their exits, you often hear the refrain: “This will be the last time.” Often the comments are associated with “useless meetings,” “air travel” and “time away from family.”

In DPC’s experience the comments about “total disconnect” are not adhered to by executives who in time reengage in activities that require accommodation to those foresworn encumbrances they thought had banished. 

Two “last times” I myself experienced were associated with musicians. In 2012 there was publicity that the Rolling Stones would do five concerts to celebrate their 50th anniversary and that would be it. 

Wanting to see them I spent a fortune to get tickets to the New York Metro show. Low and behold, this summer they celebrated their 60th anniversary and Mick Jagger’s 79th birthday.  

Which leads me to Elton John’s “Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road” Farewell tour. Once again I attended what I thought was to be the last concert in Boston only to be assaulted with ticket notices for an upcoming date in six months before leaving the parking lot! 

While not disappointed these artists are still going strong, it is emblematic of DPC’s Transition Advisory experience. The truth of the matter is after a break, which we actively encourage, there emerges in many executives the postulation of “Now what?”

In our books and blogs, we have noted the theorem that the only sacrosanct is for executives to guard their calendar and become involved in activities only at their discretion. By no means should Type A personalities who have achieved success sit on the sidelines indefinitely.  

In our work we actively promote three concepts with executives related to this phenomenon:

1.  Maintain Your Networks - going dark on folks who are important to you is counterintuitive as they are most likely to be accessed when you choose to explore opportunities.
2. Maintain Your Intellectual Curiosity - absenting oneself from awareness as to trends and geopolitical challenges is self-defeating as a tactic.
3. Maintain Your Standards - essentially have a set of criteria that “must be satisfied” for you to feel the dedication of time is worthwhile.

In closing, a “last, last time” story. I am related by marriage to Paul Simon. Of course, I attended his “last” concert in Boston billed as the Homeward Bound tour. Shortly afterwards I spoke to my relative and said: “If Paul Eltons me, you’re off my holiday card list.”

On behalf of the Discussion Partner community have a terrific end of year and a sensational 2023!