A “seasoned” VIM Executive Coaching client walked into our offices recently. We were happy to see him as he was always an affable and insightful person. However, he was anything but cheerful that day. He sat down, let out a huge sigh, and announced:
“I was kicked to the curb. They gave me a modest severance, wished me good luck in my retirement and showed me the door.”
We let him reflect for a bit. He reflected on his years of service, the results he had achieved and how, in general, those he managed liked and respected him.
“So, what do you think happened?”
“Maybe I should have started using hair dye for men,” he quipped.
When All is Said and Done
He had recently turned sixty-four. He went on to explain how the walls seemed to have closed around him. He stayed relevant, volunteered for courses, tutorials, training and industry seminars. He never hesitated to listen to podcasts, to write guest editorials or to serve on most committees in which he was asked to participate. Yet, when the company recently acquired another firm, he was made redundant as the expression goes.
Sorry to say, there are sometimes forces not easily controlled. Age discrimination may be one of them. It is difficult to prove, let alone adjudicate. While we are blessed to live in a time of medical breakthroughs and all kinds of exercise and diet regimens, in some situations the first signs of gray hair may also bring the first signs of subtle (and not so subtle) “decision-forming.”
Knowing this executive as we did, we were proud of him. While he did not angrily react, he responded clearly and thoughtfully and then walked the corridor for the last time.
“Here is the problem,” he thoughtfully and quietly mused, “I have no desire to spend my days drinking coffee and writing my memoirs. I don’t want to quit.”
“Nor should you.”
The Important Tools
Is it easy to essentially start over at an age when so many others can’t wait to retire? The easy answer is: “Sure, why not?” We might also invoke another throw-away line: “Well, age is just a number.”
However, there are not always easy solutions. Biases do exist regardless of gender. However, he had excellent qualities going for him that cannot be denied regardless of age. He was a mindful person, an authentic person and very compassionate. He motivated others, he had vision and a burning determination to succeed
We were pleased to give him several “refresher sessions” from his original work with VIM Executive Coaching. It is not that we claim to be miracle workers! In fact, he did all of the hard work, but he changed industries and he became gainfully employed with a more accepting organization appreciative of his skill set.
Ironically, the company that hired him was more progressive and open, and appreciated his natural abilities to support younger employees and to bring people together.
Determination plus mindfulness and authenticity can overcome many obstacles.