Mark Rumbles reflects on his career of 40 years, what he’s learned in the leadership development space and what’s next for him.

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Mark recently retired after 40 years in HR and leadership development. Mark and I discuss his career journey, the concept of retirement, and insights gained from his extensive experience developing leaders. This conversation touches on various topics, including mentorship, career planning, motivation, and the challenges of leadership development.

Mark shares his perspective on career transitions, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, relationship-building, and maintaining a flexible approach to one’s career path. He also discusses his current interests post-retirement, including exploring podcasting and working towards fostering more civil discourse in society. Throughout the conversation, Mark offers his insights on leadership, personal growth, and navigating career challenges.

Key Takeaways

  • Careers are more like arcs than rigid plans, requiring flexibility and adaptability
  • Effective mentorship often develops organically through relationship-building
  • Leadership development is about influencing factors that bring out internal motivation
  • Follow the fear, energy, and incentives to understand and overcome challenges
  • Retirement doesn’t mean stopping; it’s a transition to new opportunities and discoveries
  • Relationship-building is crucial for career success and personal growth
  • Curiosity is a key driver for personal and professional development
  • The term “networking” can feel manipulative; focus on genuine relationship-building instead
  • Leadership development is a fusion of various approaches and frameworks
  • Behavior is a language that often speaks louder than words
  • Self-reflection is crucial for aligning one’s words and actions
  • Fear often stems from a desire to preserve one’s identity or self-image
  • Motivation is complex and can’t be directly controlled by others
  • Balance is essential in leadership, knowing when to debate and when to act
  • Civil discourse and the ability to disagree respectfully are valuable skills
  • Career transitions can involve multiple steps (e.g., full-time to part-time to retirement)
  • Volunteering (e.g., joining a condo board) can be a way to stay engaged post-retirement
  • The concept of “career” is often misunderstood and over-emphasized
  • HR practices have shaped how people think about careers, sometimes unrealistically
  • Podcasting can be an alternative to writing a book for sharing ideas and experiences
  • Leadership development aims to bring out the best in people and help them bring out the best in others
  • Understanding one’s “wiring” and sources of joy is crucial for career satisfaction
  • Early career experiences, even if unenjoyable, can provide valuable foundations
  • The balance between debating ideas and executing decisions is crucial in organizations

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Credits

All songs licensed under Creative Commons