Contributors – David Griffith

David Griffith has had a diverse career, starting with IBM, ROLM, and MCI and then moving to The Modern Group, Ltd., and Episcopal Community Services. These days, he serves on several boards, both for-profit and nonprofit. David does a bit of consulting and coaching working with his long-time colleagues at Delaware Valley Family Business Center. Jacqui tells him he is a flunking retirement as she goes out the door to another meeting.

Like many colleagues, David have considered retirement for some time and concluded that doing nothing meant being dead. Interestingly, when he was an active CEO with “retired” board members, he was always fascinated by how they had their solid advice and wisdom on a given issue. Now David knows, as he is one. It is called experience or, as he prefers, “scar tissue.”

Yes, technology, AI, work-from-home, and the internet have all changed the marketplace, but the fundamentals are the fundamentals. Talent, Customer focus, Listening, speaking last, Radar, Governance, Strategy, Gross and Net Profits, Cash flows, and Debt vs Equity are pretty much the same across the business landscape.

Experience shared is a tremendous gift, and accountability is a powerful tool for any leader. Yes, it is always darkest before it turns absolutely black, but the sun does come up. It is good to have people who know this around you when the lights go out.

David is reminded of a similar lesson from his nonprofit days at ECS. The best advice he ever got was from an experienced Rector who served on the board. Remember, he told me, “Preach the gospel, and sometimes use words,” meaning that actions matter way more than talk. David have seen the power of examples, the notion that offices eat last, that if the team does well, it’s the team; if not, it is yours. Listen with intent and value on-the-ground experience. Experience is invaluable and is a gift when it is shared thoughtfully.

So, retirement is a chance to give back, share lessons learned, learn some new tricks, and coach as you would have liked to have been coached. You have an opportunity for legacy with your community, organizations, and family and extended family. You can only fish so many days a year, though David is working on the correct answer. We all have something to share, help carry a load and leave a little less mess. Experience matters, but only if it is open to new ideas, approaches, and risks. The combination is powerful.

Sometimes, all it takes is to be there, listen, and share.