Retirement Reflections

(Originally written June 13, 2018 – please read all the way for an update from 2021)

I just recently celebrated my 39-year service anniversary at Chevron.  I’ve attended retirement celebrations for many friends lately.  I’m asked frequently by coworkers when I’m retiring.  At this date, I still haven’t decided when I’ll retire.  I have spent a good deal of time reflecting on my career.  I’ve also spent some time thinking of the legacy I hope to have left here at Chevron.  I encourage everyone (regardless of age) to ask yourself what you want to be remembered for.  If you’re at the start of your career, this will help guide you.  If you’re mid-career, you have time to correct course.  If you’re at the end of your career, you’ll have the ability to evaluate if your legacy is what you intended.

I want to be remembered for:

• My devotion to my family:  While I’ve had a long career at Chevron, my life is my family.  I work to provide for my wife and daughters.  Work is not my life – it is a means to an end for me.  I hope that this has been evident in my dealings at work.
• Adding value:  I had the privilege of meeting Zig Ziglar when I was in high school.  One of my favorite quotes from him is “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”  I hope to have lived my life at work fulfilling that quote.   Adding value to others makes me feel like I’ve truly accomplished something.  I hope I’ve added value to my colleagues.
• Negotiating well:  I want to also be known as a person who added value to my employer by negotiating solid deals.  I don’t want to be known as the “easy mark” (the person easily taken advantage of in a negotiation) nor do I want to be known as the “sleazy dealmaker” who is always taking advantage of others.  I want to be a respected negotiator.
• Developing my team members:  I get an amazing amount of satisfaction at watching my team members grow and develop in their roles.  I hope I’m remembered as a leader who challenged and reinforced people.
• Coaching and mentoring:  In addition to my direct reports, I find myself able to coach and mentor many people on many different topics.  I get a buzz from seeing anyone improve their performance or attitude because of my coaching.  I don’t want to be known as the person who always tells stories about how I did things, but as a coach who truly connected with people and tailor my advice to their needs (hopefully adding value again).
• My humor on the job:  I like to have fun at work.  I believe we spend too much time at work to not have fun.  I take my work seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously.  I hope that has resulted in a positive work environment for others.

Well, when I look at this list, I admit I’m certain I missed the mark on a few of these.  How would others see my legacy?  I’ll let you know when my retirement comes along.  The retirement celebrations I’ve attended recently talked about the legacy the retirees left.  I’ll let you know what folks say about me!

UPDATE: First Quarter, 2021

I can’t believe it’s been almost three years since I wrote this.  I decided to retire at the end of August, 2019 after more than 40 years at Chevron.  I was humbled to attend not one, but a handful of celebrations of my career.  Through numerous stories and testimonials, it appears I didn’t miss as many marks as I thought in 2018.

For the past year and a half, I’ve been really enjoying time with my family.  My family life is so full now, I often remark I don’t know how I found time to go into the office!

One thing I do know: no matter where you are in your career, I encourage you to ponder the legacy you want to leave.  How well are you doing on that?  Take the time to evaluate how you’re doing, and what you can to do improve your legacy.  Course corrections can and should be made at any time in order to stay the course!