Retiring Well: Redefining Life Beyond the Office with Harvard Business School Professor | Teresa Amabile

Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden

Imagine stepping into retirement with confidence and excitement, rather than uncertainty and anxiety. That's exactly what we aim to achieve in this episode featuring Teresa Amabile, the distinguished Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Teresa shares her insights and groundbreaking research on the psychological and emotional dimensions of retiring, going beyond the traditional focus on health and wealth. Her new book, "Retiring: Creating a Life that Works for You," serves as a foundation for our conversation on how to craft a fulfilling life after the last day at work.

We explore essential strategies to align one's personal identity and values with life’s changing circumstances. Through personal stories and research anecdotes, Teresa shares the four major tasks of retiring well, including the critical decision of when to retire. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and courage in this transition, encouraging listeners to make changes that resonate with their evolving self. The episode is rich with practical advice on preparing emotionally, offering listeners a toolkit for navigating the intricate journey of retiring.

We also delve into the often overlooked challenge of managing work identity during retirement. Teresa discusses how nurturing identities beyond one's career can ease this transition, using real-life examples of individuals who have successfully shifted their focus from professional life to personal passions. Listeners will learn how to balance work identity with personal interests and maintain crucial relationships, regardless of where they are in their career journey. Whether you're contemplating retirement or simply seeking a more balanced life, this episode offers valuable insights into embracing the next chapter with enthusiasm and purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

• The emotional and identity shifts involved in the process of retiring.

• Insightful stories of individuals who are discovering new passions and redefining their identities outside the office.

• Practical strategies to nurture diverse interests and relationships for a rewarding post-work life.

• Thought-provoking questions and exercises to help you align your life structure with your evolving self and values.

Podcast Timestamps:

(00:00) – Retiring Versus Retirement

(17:57) – Managing Life Transitions

(30:56) - Navigating our Identities

(37:03) – Who Are We in Retirement?

(44:43) - Exploring Life Outside of Work

More of Teresa:

Teresa M. Amabile is a professor at Harvard Business School, specializing in creativity, innovation, and workplace dynamics. She earned a doctorate in psychology from Stanford University and has published over 100 scholarly articles. Her book The Progress Principle, co-authored with Steven Kramer, explores how small wins can enhance creativity and engagement at work. Amabile has received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Organizational Behavior from the Academy of Management in 2018.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-amabile-8542727

Key Topics Discussed:

Retiring, Managing Transitions, Self-Identity, Identity at Work, Life After Work, Meaningful Work, Navigating Emotional Challenges, Personal Passions, Creating Life Balance, Self-awareness, Living Our Values, Retirement Planning, Financial Security, Identity Circles, Career Journey, Personal Success

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/