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Writing in The Atlantic, David Brooks reflected on the challenge that many people face upon reaching this inflection point. They may begin to consider retirement from their distinguished careers, but they do not intend to quit doing significant work that contributes to society. To continue thriving, each of these individuals must chart a personally fulfilling way forward, harnessing their skills to solve problems and forge a legacy.
“At an age when you think they’d be old enough to know the answers, they find themselves thrown back into fundamental questions: Who am I? What’s my purpose? What do I really want? Do I matter?” Brooks wrote.
Many accomplished professionals are finding answers to those questions by immersing themselves in an atmosphere of intellectual exploration, intergenerational collaboration, and unfettered inquiry. Indeed, the University of Chicago developed the Leadership and Society Initiative (LSI) to connect leaders at this point of transition with the resources they need to move forward with a clear sense of purpose.
Take time to reflect
As you embark on a new phase in life, it’s crucial to look back on what’s come before. By analyzing your experiences, you can identify your greatest strengths, most deeply held values, and best opportunities to make an impact. Through this process, you develop a deeper understanding of yourself that will direct and empower your next chapter.
That’s why LSI encourages Fellows to examine their accomplishments and motivations, gaining perspective on the roles they’ve played in a company, nonprofit, or broader society. An executive coach works closely with each Fellow to help them establish a strong foundation for their next chapter that’s based in their personal values and approaches to leadership.
Steve Blewitt, a Fellow with a background in leading global investment teams, found that self-reflection opened the door for a broader, more nuanced worldview.
“LSI is an opportunity to look at my life and be very introspective about myself, what my values are, and what I really want to do with the next 20 years,” Steve said. “I’ve lived in a fairly cloistered corporate world and now I am able to see other parts of society that I have been bit removed from.”
Discern your purpose
Once you’ve delved into your personal skills and convictions, you’re ready to look outward and identify a mission. Many people gravitate toward volunteering and making philanthropic contributions in an area of societal need that’s closely tied to the jobs they’ve held, but the possibilities are endless. By investigating complex problems with intellectual openness and curiosity, you may discover entirely new opportunities to move the needle on issues you’re passionate about.
In LSI, Fellows apply frameworks and methodologies from multiple academic disciplines to analyze vital societal challenges and identify areas of need that they are uniquely capable of addressing. A UChicago faculty member with expertise in the field that has caught the Fellow’s interest serves as an academic advisor, guiding them to the most current and relevant research.
In addition to engaging with scholarship, participating in lively discussions with both experienced leaders and young adults can be a powerful means to shed light on societal problems. LSI Fellows follow their curiosity across multiple disciplines by auditing UChicago courses, participating in discussions with graduate and undergraduate students.
For finance leader and LSI Fellow Laura Dunne, joining this community of inquiry allowed her to think through the questions that would shape her future.
“I found it particularly appealing to have the opportunity to explore the breadth of academics and programming across the university, and to do so with a group of like-minded fellows who both challenge and support me,” Laura said.
Envision the future
To turn your mission into a reality, you need to set actionable objectives, asking yourself questions like:
- On what issues can I make the greatest and most lasting impact?
- Are there existing organizations doing the kind of work that interests me, or should I start my own?
- Who can I partner with in the communities I want to serve?
- Will I find it most fulfilling to focus on strategic philanthropy, directly volunteering, or serving on a board?
- Do I have the support of family members and associates who may collaborate in my commitments?
Each LSI Fellow creates a Purpose Plan, a detailed roadmap that lays out concrete steps and goals that advance their personal mission.
For example, healthcare executive and LSI Fellow Geoff Curtis had already begun meaningful work providing educational opportunities for young people from low-income communities. By the time he came to LSI, he and his wife had spent a decade involved in philanthropic efforts to promote educational opportunity. Through creating a Purpose Plan, Geoff knew he would test the vision he’d been imagining, gain new perspective to refine his approach, set milestones, and develop a structure to maximize the impact of his family’s support in the years to come.
“For me, the Leadership and Society Initiative is really an expansion of impact that I feel we already have on society,” Geoff explained.
Too many retirees are left feeling regret because they didn’t think deeply enough about what would make the next stage of their lives truly fulfilling. The LSI method offers the necessary frameworks, guidance, and community to transition through this inflection point and into a next chapter of impact.
The University of Chicago Leadership and Society Initiative
The University of Chicago Leadership and Society Initiative (LSI) supports accomplished leaders in successfully transitioning from their longstanding careers toward purposeful next chapters. LSI Fellows immerse themselves in UChicago’s unparalleled environment of big ideas and multigenerational dialogue, gaining frameworks for learning from their past and planning for their futures.
Through LSI’s rigorous and customizable curriculum, Fellows engage with eminent faculty and expert practitioners to explore how their next chapter can be meaningful for them and for society. This fellowship is a commitment to personal growth, enduring wellness, and dynamic engagement with pressing societal issues.
Contact us to learn more about LSI or submit your candidacy to be considered for our upcoming cohort.
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