The True Meaning of “Personal” Satisfaction

There are many principles and approaches about the leadership journey that I share in my book, with my executive coaching clients, and here in my blog. I hope and believe that they are practical and useful for you, and that they lead you to professional success.

But the best way to maintain the upward trajectory of your career, whatever age or life stage you find yourself in, is to be a lifelong learner. As I say in my new book, It’s On You: “you are growing and the growth never stops.”

I think that concept is quite relevant to older members of the workforce. When I read about the challenges for employees and leaders who are at or near retirement age, I consistently see that continued learning is vital. Staying relevant in the evolving workforce has become more and more challenging of late for senior professionals, who need to understand new technologies, gain new skills and are encouraged to earn new certifications.

To me, the concepts of lifelong learning and personal satisfaction are intertwined. It’s about putting yourself in positions to continue to learn, while also helping your team members move into better positions of success and growth. In fact, you realize as you progress in your career that “personal” satisfaction is tied less to feeling fulfilled about your own success, and more about playing a role in that of others.

Think about how you feel when you see others succeed; when you see others navigate and overcome challenges; when you see others learn to empower themselves and others. That has been the essence of personal fulfillment for me in my career, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn it’s the same for you.

Oh yes – speaking of that word, “learn.” As you ponder this message about “personal” fulfillment, I want you to come back for my next blog post, when I’ll provide you with four strategies for lifelong learning and leading. They are strategies that will allow you – and those you lead – to be fulfilled.