Midlife crisis hits in many ways; the feelings it brings
include and not limited to – confidence crisis, loss of direction or drifting,
introspection and wallowing in self-pity on opportunities not captured and
mistakes made, jealousy of more successful peers and younger generation,
withdrawal into a shell, overtly aggressive behavior, and a feeling of loneliness
to name some. At times like this there is a tendency to reach out to friends
and family to seek their opinion which normally results in more confusion and
inaction.
He had faced a similar situation almost a decade back, a
little early to be called midlife crisis but that is how he described it. A
life event triggered him to leave a well settled corporate life and move to
another location closer to the family elders who needed the support. Not
financially wanting, he took his time to evaluate options and took a leadership
role in a small company which was beginning to gain traction with customers
thus shedding the label of a startup and moving to being a growth phase
company.
He (let’s call him X) fitted in well into the ecosystem and
took up the challenge with vigor of a younger man; the team he built loved him for
the fact that he had grown from the trenches and was ready to walk with them whenever
they wanted his support. He balanced professionalism with human touch, customer
friendliness and the ability to support the team when they needed. They revered
him for the guidance and insights that helped them grow too in their individual
roles as the company gained momentum.
Growth brought management changes, fresh investors,
geographical expansion, global aspirations, and associated trials and
tribulations. The new leadership team had different goals, objectives, and
aspirations for the company and people; they brought in excitement of potential
glory the company should aim for, stretch required by the team, a new culture
that divided the teams into those who loved the new vision and those skeptical
of the direction. Neither had a choice but to follow the new and hope it
succeeds.
In the restructuring of the company few decided to find
alternative pastures aligned to their shade of green; those who stayed back did
so in the anticipation of a better future. Promises were made across the board,
go-to-market strategies changed, product vision altered, and customers informed
of a better future with the glory the company planned to achieve. X empathized
with the founding team with whom he had grown the company, but found the new
roadmap clearer and better than the existence of the past.
The new energy kept the team going for a while; quarters
passed by, visions of peaks of achievement started fading and murmurs of
discomfort could be heard in hushed voices. Timelines for promises made were
extended as they attempted to build some euphoria with news of potentially fresh
investments and high value customers. Closer to the top, X though uncomfortable
did not feel the need to ring alarm bells and kept going. He kept the business
afloat with a steady trickle which was earlier frowned upon as irrelevant.
Quarters transitioned into years with natural attrition
shrinking the company a little more than natural; the morale of the team
reached new ebbs as the powers that be kept the charade going – happy days will
be here again soon ! X was in a quandary on own stretched patience and the lack
of outcomes and not much to pacify the team. The growth never came, the money
remained elusive, and soon it was evident that the golden era was a grand illusion,
the new leadership team had failed the company and its believers.
Frustrated and a decade older, X
ruminated over the lost years which he had invested; while he had enjoyed the
early years contributing, he was unable to breakthrough the maze created as a
result of leadership changes. He sought advice on next steps and career moves
from a few he trusted and respected; one such conversation was candid and hard
hitting, necessary to break the impasse waiting for good times to come. At the
end of the mentoring session, X was free of negativity and clear about the
future.
Milestones have shifted every time, outcomes have been mysteriously
missing; the new leadership team has no credibility to promise or deliver. Cut
your losses, stay focused on what matters to you and move on. The world has a
lot to offer to high professionals who know what they can achieve; break out
and find a new world which you deserve. Cut the emotional bond and take a
rationale decision, go and create a better future for yourself and family. The
Mentor had seen X struggle in the last few years and wished him well.
The future belongs to those who
dare.
