Since my last post twelve months ago, I've left the workforce and am now studying full-time. There were a few factors in this decision but the trigger was the unexpected resignation of my boss. My colleague Donna expressed it best, after after several changes of leadership in the past seven years she said she didn't "have another director in me", meaning she did not have the energy to go through another rinse and repeat process of adapting to the changes that inevitably come with a new leader. I realised I was exhausted as well. I'd been with the company for more than 13 years and thought about moving on several times, but each time had delayed until a new director had 'settled in'. I decided to stop being a martyr!
Since departure of Ros Holloway (after seven years as the loveliest boss ever) in Oct 2014:
- Sandra (Jan 2015)
- Wendy (Oct 2015)
- Paul (Feb 2018)
- Elizabeth (Jul 2019)
- Carol (May 2021)
In between appointments we had interim leadership. I had a go early on, in partnership with my colleague Sharon as clinical leader, in 2015 (both times). I didn't want to repeat the experience after Paul resigned in 2018, so one of the board directors, Rosie put her hand up. Retired and in her 70s bless her, she stepped in again after Elizabeth. I think it almost did her in. She thankfully remains on the board where she does a fantastic job supporting René, the latest appointment. I don't like to say that the latest leader is in for the long haul this time, but a few elements have changed - new Board Chair, new Business Manager. There seems to be a new positive dynamic which bodes well.
Am I enjoying my new-found freedom out of the workforce? You betcha! My favourite part is having more time to read and think and make sense of the world. My other favourite part is having more time to build relationships with the people I care about.
I'm currently about a third of the way through my Business degree course - thanks to several prior learning credits from my accounting diploma. I'm taking two classes this semester - a business law unit, and a unit on the theory of work and organisation. I expect to finish the entire course by the end of 2023.
I wanted to be of service, so I'm continuing as company secretary, and doing other volunteer work for the company where I last worked - a not-for-profit community hospice. I tell people it is for selfish reasons, to avoid the gap on my resumé while I'm completing my studies!
To be honest, right now I'm not sure where my career is headed. The thought of returning to a responsible position with a new company holds very little appeal at the moment. The only problem is financial - eventually my savings will run out, and I will have to return to the workforce.
