CHALLENGE
Find a blend of high level and high impact board seats, emerging tech and start-ups for an ex- consulting partnerOur client engaged in our Career Compass process during the wind down phase of leaving his consulting firm. This timing worked to enable a smooth transition, eliminated the stress of finding something quickly and allowed him to take some time off with family.
APPROACH
Understanding the Balance of RolesReview our clients career narrative from his first job forward was instrumental in defining target industries, technologies, roles and network for post-retirement engagement. We then created a hypothetical year in the life going forward, this defined the acceptable timing requirements for each role.
Validate Advocates in Each NetworkOur client had deep and very senior connections to leverage for emerging tech and consulting advisory roles. For board roles we realized the approach had to be different.
Craft Issues Topics for Each ContactEach contact required a unique “issues based advocacy” approach. Board conversations were far different that emerging tech and consulting advisory conversation topics. Also the very senior level of the contacts necessitated a very soft approach.
The Magellan Difference
- Focusing on a balance of family needs, impact value and time requirements greatly eased the entire process
- Recognizing the longer term nature of board selection also helped
- Fine tuning through initial to final selection was critical to “testing” best fits in each role area
RESULTS
Balancing impact value and time worked bestTime with family turned out to be the key variable. Next was the impact of each role. Our client realized that his primary need was to “make a difference” in a transformative role. This “impact value” approach actually served to elevate his network over time leading to far more significant outcomes.
Our client did successfully find a hugely impactful board role in a transformative emerging technology. He also was able to advise a consulting firm on how to grow a new business segment. Finally he did work on a start-up which is now taking enough time to fill his schedule – without interfering with his family activities and personal hobbies.
“Magellan’s Career Compass process was easy to set up, and their technology made keeping up easy. Most importantly, Career Compass advocates never let up until we succeeded, and that personal commitment made a huge difference.”
