The Career: Hanging on Beyond the Expiration Date

 Bob Iger retired from the CEO position at Disney riding high. Part of that was his bestselling book on leadership principles "The Ride of a Lifetime."

Very quickly he became restless, as many former leaders do. The classic on that profound sense of loss is Jeffrey Sonnenfeld's 1991 book "The Hero's Farewell." Essentially they can't let go of that high of power, nonstop action, attention and ability to make big things happen. 

So, Iger implemented strategy to be invited back to that CEO position. Had he given the post-career more time - that is, created a semiretired branding - he might have preserved the legacy he had put together.

What he re-entered has been a perfect storm. Reporters dug up the details of how he muscled his way back in with seeming sharp elbows. The media landscape had changed and Iger was still talking and implementing as an old media guy. The bottom line took a hit and so did the stock price. To use the platitude: The Magic Kingdom lost its magic.

Both the chatter by investors and the media has focused on an analysis of what Iger is currently doing to save his legacy. Legacy is one of his preoccupations and some might consider it too self-involved.

Media analyst at Macquarie Tim Nolan observes Iger's recent move about releasing three-year guidance:

"I would guess Bob Iger is feeling the pressure to demonstrate that he has set the company back on the right track," 

Iger is among the too many who might have stayed on too long when there were plenty of opportunities to develop a lucrative and satisfying semiretirement or post-career branding.

Those hangers-on include former managing partner at secretive law firm Jones Day - Stephen Brogan. He managed to fix internal policy that so he could remain in power beyond the mandatory retirement age. 

During that extended stay Brogan faced the lawsuit "Tolton et al. v Jones Day" which alleged gender discrimination. In the bestseller expose "Servants of the Damned" David Enrich featured him in a very negative light. 

The Brogan legacy post-retirement isn't like the ones of the leadership at Paul Weiss such as Simon Rifkind and Arthur Liman.

Who's doing semiretirement well? 

His career blown up by time in prison, disgraced Wall Streeter Michael Milken established a new identity and sense of purpose through philanthropy and hosting events focused on macro issues in finance. 

Former Renaissance Man Sam Waltz maintains a high profile and earns income as a connector. He also has evolved into an influencer on a God's Plenty of subjects in social. 

Knocked out of the box as CEO/Chairman at Apollo and Chair at the Museum of Modern Art through the Jeffrey Epstein scandal Leon Black finally has made progress in reputation restoration. A sign of that is participating in media interviews about finance. His next could be astounding. 

Essentially the "price" of resisting semiretirement is appearing foolish by struggling to hang onto the career.

Be successful in your work, on your own terms. Jane Genova is a results-driven confidential intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator related to careers. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)