Each Thursday the Thriving Midlifer Newsletter helps men and women over 40 thrive across the five key pillars of life: Health, Fitness, Career, Relationships, and Legacy.
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Ep 222 How to Overcome Ageism in Career Transitions After 40
Published about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader,
When I was recently asked "What is the connection between the Midlife Fulfilled podcast and your passion for leadership," I welcomed the chance to explain.
Midlife isn’t just about growth and evolution—it’s a leadership advantage. According to my Thriving in Midlife report published with Udemy, 72% of professionals over 40 believe their life experience makes them more effective leaders. But, only 45% feel they are fully confident using that experience to lead with impact.
Great leadership isn’t just about communication skills or strategic thinking—it’s also about the ability to inspire others. And midlife leaders have this in abundance. ✅ We’ve navigated challenges. ✅ We’ve developed emotional intelligence. ✅ We understand the value of mentorship and legacy. However, if you're depending on a leader’s personality or individual skills to lead with impact, that simply doesn’t scale.
A foundational framework is needed to empower organizations and equip leaders with the powerful combination of self-awareness and structure to instill personal and professional fulfillment in their employees. The holy grail of employee engagement happens when they are personally and professionally fulfilled. Outdated leadership narratives often hold leaders back from leading with impact. It’s time to shift the mindset to lead with fulfillment. Is personal and professional fulfillment in your leadership vocabulary? 🗝️ I developed the Fulfillment Centric Leadership™ Framework based on evidence-based insights supported by decades of experience leading people holistically.
This week's episode 222 featuring Loren Greiff is connected to leadership. In this case, it's self leadership.
My conversation with Loren serves as motivation for anyone over 40 in a job hunt.
Loren points out the profound impact of the pandemic on older workers. During the pandemic, many companies shifted towards letting go of older workers first—a move that was unprecedented.
Traditionally, older employees, known for their institutional knowledge, were seen as invaluable assets. However, this shift, coupled with ageism, which undeniably exists, has complicated the job market for those over 40.
Loren emphasizes that while ageism is prevalent, there are proactive strategies individuals can employ to mitigate its effects and position themselves as viable, relevant candidates.
One of many points Loren discusses is how in today's job landscape, continuous learning is not just an option; it's a necessity. She stresses the importance of upskilling and reskilling as essential for career survival.
Individuals should invest in professional development—be it through traditional courses on platforms like Udemy or emerging resources such as industry-specific podcasts. Keeping skills sharp ensures relevance and competitiveness, safeguarding against the volatility of the modern workplace.
Below is an outline of our discussion. If you are in the middle of a job search (or know someone who is), episode 222 is a must-listen.
How to Overcome Ageism in Career Transitions After 40
On episode 222 we're joined by Loren Greiff, the founder and CEO of Portfolio Rocket, an executive career strategist, and the host of the Career Blast and a Half podcast.
The conversation covers navigating career transitions for those over the age of 40. Loren shares insights on overcoming ageism and how to adapt to changes like the increased use of AI in the workplace.
🗝️ Three Key Discussion Points:
1️⃣ Packaging Deep Experience: Loren emphasizes that simply having experience isn't enough—you need to translate it effectively to prospective employers. This involves clearly articulating the value of your experience with concrete metrics and using modern tools like LinkedIn profiles and even video messages to present your package professionally and uniquely.
2️⃣ The Role of AI: While AI may seem intimidating, Loren assures us that it’s here to reveal what we can do better, not replace us. Embracing AI as a tool for productivity is essential, and making it a part of your daily routine can enhance your market value. Learning how to leverage AI in your industry is an expectation in 2025 and beyond.
3️⃣ Importance of Upskilling: Ongoing learning is vital, with Loren highlighting the importance of investing in your skills to remain competitive. Whether through online courses or other means, adapting to new technologies and methodologies is critical for maintaining and enhancing your career trajectory.
Main Takeaway: The workforce is evolving, and so must we. Loren reminds us that while ageism exists there are numerous strategies and modern tools available that can help us stay relevant and thrive. Thought leadership, effective networking, and continuous learning are pillars for a successful career transition in midlife, enabling you to land the roles you desire and earn the value you are worth.
Tune in to episode 222 to get inspired by Loren's insights into a successful job search while overcoming the reality of ageism.
The Coach's Corner
Weekly insights and actionable tips from my lens as an executive coach—helping you lead, grow, and thrive in midlife and beyond.
I’ve seen too many leaders stuck in unfulfilling careers.
Unfortunately, this seems to be very common. In my Thriving in Midlife report published with Udemy in Q4 of 2024, 61.2% of respondents report being fulfilled in their careers. Yet 75% reported being “satisfied” in their career.
Why the disparity?
The same report shows this staggering finding. When asked if you could only choose either fulfillment or happiness, which would you choose—79.2% chose fulfillment.
Connecting the dots on these data points---fulfillment is a higher standard.
So, when I see leaders stuck in unfulfilling careers I can almost guarantee I know the reason. The reason is due to a gap between the leader's values and their current role.
Our values evolve throughout our lives. For example, early in your career achieving a certain title or income level might have been a value, with a willingness to compromise time at home. If time at home with family is now an important value, does that align with your current responsibilities?
This is just one example. The point is that too many leaders struggle with this gap between their values and the reality of their current role.
I’ve seen the impact that clarity and perspective can have when a professional needs to make an important decision—to get unstuck.
If you find yourself questioning your next move, or feeling stuck in leadership challenges, schedule a free 30-minute call to discover if executive coaching is right for you.
Leadership REimagined
with Gudrun Lind @ThriveREimagined
Join 'Weekly Reset' newsletter for practical leadership insights to help you react less, thrive in complexity and make an impact where it matters most—without compromising your values.
What strategies did Loren Greiff suggest to counteract ageism in the job market for individuals over 40?
What role do digital tools like LinkedIn and voice messages play in modern job searches, based on Loren's discussion?
How can individuals over 40 incorporate technology, such as AI, into their skill set to remain relevant in the workplace?
What is the significance of continuous learning and upskilling for career survival according to Loren, and why might professionals be resistant to it?
What role does thought leadership and personal branding play in career advancement for individuals over 40?
If any of these questions resonate, tune into episode 222.
Products & Services I Use/Endorse
In this section, I'm promoting other people's products or services I either use or have used and endorse. The links to these products are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase from them.
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Each Thursday the Thriving Midlifer Newsletter helps men and women over 40 thrive across the five key pillars of life: Health, Fitness, Career, Relationships, and Legacy.
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