Never have the signals of what’s appropriate ‘at our age’ been more mixed. Consider the current discourse in American politics. First it was all about the 80-year-olds vying for political office and holding onto power too long. Then it was about passing the torch to a candidate from the ‘younger’ generation, who turned out to be pushing 60! Now, it’s about a pair about the same age, but she’s playing ‘young’ while he reads grandpa.
Ten years ago, when I (Marci) wrote the Encore Career Handbook, the world felt a little different. 10,000 were already turning 60 every day, many consumed by a new vision for later-life success, a financial need to continue working, or a desire to have an impact or leave a legacy. Still, finding one’s way to what’s next was a do-it-yourself endeavor.
A few things have changed in the past decade, raising new questions for all of us considering encores.
- The pandemic rewrote the rules on work. Regardless of age and geography, we lived through a collective experience that has radically revised what work looks like. We know both the impact of widespread isolation, yet at the same time we’ve had a chance to hone in on what matters most. We’ve also learned that while we can do a whole lot in a virtual way, nothing compares to what happens when we’re close enough to collaborate and connect in person.
- College is not just for 18-22 year olds. MEA and more than two dozen colleges, universities and seminaries now offer programs specifically for those in midlife and beyond. In June, MEA and Arizona State University announced a new virtual program for “empty nesters.” Why shouldn’t parents and kids expand their minds and invest in their futures at the same time?
- The multigenerational workplace has arrived. In the U.S., we are living in the most age-diverse moment in history, with a quarter of the population under 20, a quarter over 60 and the rest in between. And there is ample evidence that generations are coming together in new ways – multigenerational living is on the rise, pop culture is pointing the way with shows like Hacks and Only Murders in the Building, and nearly 40% of workers now have a younger boss. Managing generational tensions and leveraging age-diverse teams is becoming an essential skill for anyone who wants to stay in the game.
When I wrote the Encore Career Handbook, I was in my late 40s and all of this felt a bit theoretical. Now 58, I’ve interviewed hundreds of people about their encore plans and transitions – and it’s feeling very real. I’m starting to dream about my own “what’s next,” working to remain relevant and learn from younger colleagues, all while trying to share the power and privileges that come from three decades of experience.
In November, I’ll be co-leading a MEA workshop week in Santa Fe with Kerry Hannon, the first person I call when I have a question about how to navigate anything related to working longer and better. We’ll explore the full MEA curriculum and couple it with a deep dive on the kinds of things we have spent our entire careers exploring – how to discover (and rediscover) a sense of purpose, how to use our skills and life experience to make a difference, how to evolve as the world around us changes, how to work alongside younger leaders, and how to finance these longer lives we hope to enjoy.
Regardless of chronological age, who isn’t wrestling with these questions?
By the end of your five days with us, you will have greater self-awareness and a collection of proven tools, strategies and action steps that will support you on your encore journey. You’ll also have a cohort of fellow travelers – because having a web of support is essential to any encore transition.
-Marci & Kerry
Marci Alboher, Vice President at Cogenerate, is one of the nation’s leading authorities on career issues and workplace trends, with deep experience at the intersection of workplace and career issues, intergenerational relationships and aging with purpose.
Kerry Hannon, is a strategist on career transitions, entrepreneurship, personal finance and retirement and a Yahoo Finance Senior Editor /On-Air expert. She’s a frequent TV, radio and podcast commentator and is a sought-after keynote speaker.