I am writing this from about 30,000 feet somewhere over the Atlantic as I return from a wedding in the Irish countryside—a beautiful celebration of commitment, hope, and the beginning of a new chapter for two wonderful young people.
Sitting here sipping surprisingly strong coffee and reflecting on the trip, I feel compelled to put fingers to keys to share thoughts this trip evoked in me on the concept of new beginnings—not only in love, but in leadership. The parallels seem obvious to me.
Ireland, with its rolling hills, ancient castles, and economic transformation offered a poetic backdrop for reflection—as did the moving ceremony! (The guy coughing every few minutes in the row behind me right now is a bit of a distraction from my reflections, I must admit!)
A wedding is not just a ceremony—it’s a strategic pivot. The same holds true for any executive career move. Both require clarity of vision, alignment with values, and a willingness to step into discomfort for the sake of greater impact. Both bring challenges, joy, prosperity, uncertainty, and take lots of time and care.
Many would say a wedding is the ultimate symbol of transition. Two people, full of potential and uncertainty, say yes to the unknown and take a leap toward being better and happier together. Conceptually, this echoes similarly for any executive considering a career change. Whether you’re voluntarily seeking a new challenge or forced into a job search, the decision to shift direction requires conviction. And like a marriage, it’s not just about where you’re going—it’s about who you’re becoming. Does your situation make you grow and happy?
Executives tend to dismiss these career questions as they get caught up in the day-to-day grind of their job.
High-level professionals often associate job transitions with risk, loss of status, or disruption. But reframed, job transitions are opportunities to realign with purpose, to reimagine your value, and to say yes to growth with a partner who brings out their best. Executive job search isn’t simply a transaction—it’s a transformation.
This trip was a reminder that identity can be rooted in both tradition and open to reinvention, a concept not unfamiliar to executives navigating today’s dynamic market.
So as you board your next flight—sit somewhere people aren’t constantly coughing—and quietly contemplate what your Next Great Next could be—ask yourself: what am I ready to commit to? What part of my professional identity am I ready to evolve? And am I prepared, like the two people at the altar, to say yes to the unknown?
After all, every bold journey—whether it’s a wedding in Ireland or a new C-suite role—begins with a leap. Just wait until the Fasten Seatbelt sign is off, okay?
