"Why are you going to a conference?"

This simple yet thought-provoking question posed by my son, James*, caught me off guard last week as I donned a sport coat, preparing to head to the airport for the NAPR/NALTO conference in Charlotte.

It took me a minute to respond. Although I had dedicated a decade to serving on the NAPR board, that chapter had long concluded.? Connecting with friends and colleagues, although that was a part of it, wasn’t why I went.? The answer I ultimately settled on was that 2023’s more intense work schedule had scratched an itch I didn't know I had, propelling me to seek a new challenge; the conference seemed like the perfect place to explore.

Backtracking a bit, I retired in 2019, satisfied that I'd accomplished my career goals.? I was content to immerse myself in hobbies and enjoy a slower pace of life. Retirement was fulfilling; I didn’t get bored as others had predicted!

However, in early 2021, I my journey took an unexpected turn. I joined Curative Talent as a part-time executive advisor, which eventually led to a (mostly) full-time role as Interim President last year. This experience revealed that being part of a dynamic team, witnessing its growth, development, and evolution, and seeing individuals flourish were still essential to my sense of purpose. My brain re-engaged, and I found joy in the progress the team was making and the positive changes we were driving. Reacquainting myself with the 5:45 am alarm was surprisingly easy.

As my involvement with Curative nears its end, the conference last week served as a bridge to my next chapter. Having had the privilege of starting, scaling, and selling two companies, evaluating numerous businesses as acquisition targets, and serving as a board member and executive advisor, I am eager to explore new opportunities and to see where this path leads.?

In times of turbulence for staffing and other professional services organizations, the ones who consistently thrive are those with a clear vision that is communicated consistently, coupled with a disciplined approach to achieving goals. My primary interest lies in serving as an advisor, board member, angel investor or consultant but… I’ve learned not to be too rigid in my vision of the path forward!? If you think I might play a part in your journey related to mergers and acquisitions, growth strategies or building a high-performance, high-engagement team, I look forward to connecting.?

I looked all day for the perfect quote to conclude and came up empty handed.? However, it seemed poetic that Dr Dre’s “Next Episode” was the first song on my workout playlist this morning.?

Jim

*Shameless plug - James is a graduating finance major at TCU who is seeking employment in May! If you or someone you know is looking to hire a smart, hard-working young professional, I highly recommend giving him a strong look!