Six years.
On a sunny Friday afternoon six years ago this month, I took part in a truly unremarkable scene. Picture it in your mind's eye: a middle-aged white guy in an oxford shirt and chinos walks out the door of a DC office building.
I'm quite sure this happened thousands of times on that very day. And that I'd done it myself a few hundred times as well.
The scene was unremarkable to a casual observer, but transformational for me. I'd walked out for the last time on the full-time job I had held for 4-1/2 years, with the highest salary I'd ever earned and a great stack of benefits.
I was betting on myself as an entrepreneur after almost 25 years as someone else's employee. And I was betting on a craft that was fairly new to me -- executive coaching -- after almost 25 years of working in media and communications.
Though I had a high enough degree of confidence to make the jump, I didn't know a whole lot about where I would land. Now, six years later, I realize I'm probably permanently finished with organizational employment.
I am self-employed, but I don't walk this path alone. I've had the good fortune to befriend and rely on a great circle of fellow practitioners who are there when I need advice or support. We grow by challenging our thinking and learn from each other's mistakes.
Slowly, I am beginning to return the favor. I am happy to share what I've learned along the way. At the same time, I have an almost visceral dislike of anything that resembles "Follow my ten easy steps, and you can have the same glamorous life that I do." I never want to be the seminar grift guy.
This life definitely isn't for everyone. But it is inspiring to watch others take it on. I had the enormous privilege, earlier this year, of helping to launch five brand new coaches into the world as part of the Georgetown University faculty. And I can't wait to do it again in 2026.
To the hundreds of you who read these words every month and have invited me along on your leadership growth journey, know that I am grateful for your support!