How to turn a mid-life crisis into a growth opportunity

Rugby teams have flexible and interchangeable leadership roles, emphasize relationships and collaboration and are inclusive of all sizes, ideals and skill levels, which mirrors the culture leaders are trying to create, writes James Daly, the president and CEO of Allianz Trade Americas. "Fostering an environment that encourages team members to pivot, collaborate, and try something outside of their comfort zone is vital to ensuring the organization can react to quick-turn opportunities or challenges," Daly writes.

Put it into practice: No matter how contentious a rugby match becomes, players have mutual respect for teammates, opponents and referees, Daly writes. "It's important to stand up for what you believe is right while simultaneously maintaining strong and respectful relationships with your colleagues, or you'll never be able to work together effectively in the long term."

Reframe a mid-life crisis as a chance to step back and consider if you're on the right path or if some new purpose or goal is calling to you, writes LaRae Quy, who offers four reasons to embrace this time. "By mid-life, we should be able to let go of the popular concept of passion because it's a term better suited for children and immature adults. Passion is what the world can give to us; purpose is what we can provide to the world," Quy writes.

Put it into practice: A mid-life crisis can offer you the opportunity to accept your limits, stop relying on external circumstances to make you happy and rediscover a spiritual side to life, Quy writes. "Accept that you may never accomplish all of your dreams, so zero in on the gifts you were born with and have developed over time."

Saying tasks are not your job or are above or below your pay grade undermines your career trajectory by earning you a reputation for not taking on challenging roles or trying to solve problems, writes Shari Harley, the founder and president of Candid Culture. Instead, look for ways to improve processes, prevent a pending crisis or do the right thing even if it's difficult to show that you want the best for your co-workers and company, Harley recommends.

Put it into practice: Show your dedication as a team player by asking good, non-judgmental questions that spur new ideas and ways of doing things, Harley writes. "Status quo can be the right thing and what's necessary. It can also be the death of organizations."

Jim VandeHei, the co-founder and CEO of Axios, leans into the Malawi word "zotheka" -- which means "it's possible" -- as inspiration to become a "selfless superstar" who cultivates soft leadership skills of influence over direct power and communicating with candor in difficult situations. "In a culture of candor, you create a culture of honesty, which cuts down on mischief and all the ickiness of work relationships," VandeHei notes.

Despite the threat of dislocated fingers and other injuries, more than 150 men, ranging in age from 15 to 70 years old, gathered in Bernbeuren, Germany, last weekend for the national championship of "Fingerhakeln" -- or finger wrestling. Each man put their middle fingers into a loop and then tugged with all their might to bring their competitor across the table, upholding a tradition that originated in Austria as a way to settle arguments.

Since retiring from the spiritual community that I led for 14 years, I've found myself in an identity crisis. If I'm not leading my community, then who am I? Sure, there are a lot of other identities I have: spouse, writer, editor, pet owner, etc. Strip any one of those away, and it's normal to feel adrift.

I appreciate LaRae Quy's article and the advice she gives for those like me experiencing a mid-life crisis or any identity crisis, no matter your age. For me, this has been a time of reevaluation. What do I want to pursue next, if anything? Is there some new purpose trying to emerge?

This piece of advice from Quy hit home: "Forget about the need always to do more. You don't need new exciting projects or experiences; instead, identify the things that matter most to you."

I think this is the key: Getting to the heart of what truly matters most to you. It may not be readily apparent. You may have to do some digging, which makes the Peter Drucker exercise of asking, "What business am I in?" even more valuable.

If you're finding yourself in a mid-life or identity crisis, I invite you to consider Quy's advice and make any needed adjustments. It may just be transformative.

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