By Marty Gervasi, MyNextSeason Senior Advisor, Board Director, and former CHRO of The Hartford.
Retirement is one of the most significant transitions in a career. It requires the same intentionality as taking on a new role—just with a different center of gravity. Instead of focusing on advancement, the focus shifts to purpose, choice, impact, and possibility.
The Three E’s—experiences, exposures, and effects—offers a simple structure to help leaders prepare for their next season. While used throughout a career, the framework becomes especially valuable during career transitions when thoughtful planning can shape both legacy and future direction.
Experiences are the tangible elements of an executive career: roles, skills, projects, and outcomes. As retirement nears, they take on a different meaning. The question becomes: What do I still want to do before I leave, and what experiences do I want to carry into my next chapter?
This might include:
- Test-driving skills you may want to use later—coaching, teaching, advising
- Leading a strategic initiative that rounds out your portfolio
- Taking on a reverse mentorship to broaden perspective
- Engaging with an external organization or board to explore new arenas
These aren’t resume builders. They’re signals. They help you identify what energizes you, what you want more of, and what doesn’t belong in your next season. Integrating these experiences now will give you confidence and clarity when you transition.
Exposures—your relationships, learning opportunities, and stakeholder interactions—play a critical role in shaping retirement readiness. As you prepare for transition, the goal is no longer visibility for advancement; it’s curiosity, expansion, and connection.
Consider how you might:
- Reach out to leaders who have already made the transition
- Spend time with peers outside your industry to explore new possibilities
- Build relationships with organizations or communities you may want to join
- Create a cadence of monthly coffee chats with people whose path intrigues you
- Participate in short programs or forums to spark new thinking
These exposures help you imagine a life beyond the title, and they often open doors you didn’t know existed. They broaden your perspective, deepen your insight, and give you a clearer sense of your options—professional, personal, and philanthropic.
Effects are about the imprint you want to leave behind and can become the grounding force of the transition.
Ask yourself:
- How do I ensure a strong finish in this chapter?
- How can I position my team and successor for success?
- What values and behaviors do I want to reinforce on my way out?
Effects also shape the story you carry into your next season. Leaving well strengthens relationships, reinforces reputation, and gives you the satisfaction of knowing you’ve closed this chapter with intention. This is not about grand gestures. It’s about thoughtful actions—so the organization thrives long after you step away.
Why the Three E’s Matter
As leaders prepare for transition, the Three Es provide a grounding structure. Experiences help you discover what energizes you and what you want to bring into your next season. Exposures broaden your perspective and build the network that will support your transition. Effects ensure you leave a meaningful legacy and finish strong.
This isn’t simply an ending. It’s a bridge to a new chapter. Approached intentionally, it becomes a moment of discovery, connection, and impact.
