My career has operated on two speeds for the past seven years, which means that I timed it very well. The year I turned 40 my non-executive career got out of the gates while I was still firmly entrenched in an executive role.
The cracking pace of my executive roles during this time, in a rapidly evolving industry like media, has meant that I am both the architect of fire-fighting technology as well as the person holding the hose. With my board roles I have the time to consider the market, question thinking, and discuss the future. As a future-focused executive who desires to spend more time looking forward than back, this thinking time has become as important to me as the air that I breathe.
As publishing director of EMAP Women I was an executive director of the Australian board. Within months I was offered the opportunity to join the board of a local retail brand and then a year later I joined the board of Netball Australia. Each board opportunity and director mix was different. The learnings developed me professionally. I honestly believe that I became a better executive as the result of the focus on governance, risk and strategy that I enjoyed as a director of each of those boards.
Outside-the-box decisions take time and consideration. Most organisations today that are down to the bare bones of resources don’t make time for it because they don’t feel they have the time to spare. Also some employees begrudge the time out for thinking when they already have so much on their plate. It’s chicken and egg. Others need it more than they have been able to access it. What to do?
If you are someone who needs to be strategizing more regularly in your day job than there is time or resourcing to do so, then consider nourishing your career with an extra-curricular activity.
The other work can satisfy your yearnings for development if you are not getting what you need in your day job. Short courses and postgraduate study have also supplemented my career needs in the same way. A secondary benefit is that if one career stalls or runs its course, you are well placed to pursue another path. So as well as being your career change, it may also provide the perfect back-up plan.
Do you have a two-speed career?