I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with a number of senior executives as well as up and coming managers as they reshape their careers. Much of that coaching is helping them understand what they want to achieve in the next phase of their career and what they need to do to accomplish this, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on broader life challenges. I always start any coaching conversation with the philosophy of “No Regrets” – the ability to live a life that allows you to do what you want to do, so that when it comes time to leave this world, you can do so without having any regrets and not having to say “I wish I had…..” (for more on this, see Bronnie Ware – The Top Five Regrets of the Dying). 

I then use a simple check list entitled “The Ten Principles of becoming a Great Leader (and having a successful life…) that I developed with Phil Crenigan of Executive Turning Point, which is summarised here:

1.     Own your own career

2.     Understand what you are and what you are not

3.     Be interested and interesting

4.     Network

5.     Focus on the things that matter

6.     Set a high bar

7.     Communicate

8.     Inspire your team

9.     Enjoy uncertainty

10. Be different

I then always finish with a simple mantra – “Be Happy”. There are too many executives who are not happy in their work and who wake up every morning not wanting to go to work. My simple message to them is “move on – get your life back”. You will never succeed in your life or your job if you are unhappy…