Short Reads for Your Third Act
This is a curated and growing collection of articles on topics that matter to executives entering their Third Act — purpose, longevity, reinvention, legacy, health, and the art of living well in the chapters ahead. Each one was chosen because it has something real to say.
What's Next: The Entrepreneur's Epilogue and the Paradox of Success
Yale School of Management — Odendaal, Eigenbrod, Wasserstein, Agnew & O'Connor
A rigorous look at what happens to entrepreneurs after a successful exit — and why the finish line so often feels hollow. The authors examine the paradox of achievement: that the very drive that built the business can leave its owner without purpose once the business is gone. Essential reading for anyone facing a major transition out of a leadership role.
The Retirement Syndrome: The Psychology of Letting Go
Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries — European Management Journal
A landmark paper from INSEAD that names and examines what many executives feel but few discuss. Kets de Vries explores the emotional and psychological barriers to leaving — fear of losing identity, status, and relevance — and what it takes to disengage with dignity. One of the most cited articles on the inner life of retirement.
'Til Retirement Us Do Part
John Bingham, Social Affairs Director — The Telegraph
A sharp look at the rising trend of 'silver splitter' divorces — couples separating after decades together, often triggered by retirement. The article examines why a major life transition that changes the structure of daily life can also expose fault lines in long-term relationships, and what it means for how we plan the years ahead.
Are They Still Your Friends if You Never See Them?
The Atlantic — 2026
A thoughtful exploration of what happens to friendships when proximity disappears. As executives leave the workplace structures that sustained so many of their relationships, this article asks the harder question: which connections were truly friendships, and which were simply convenience? Honest, and quietly unsettling in the best way.
The Challenge of Staying Connected to Colleagues After Retiring
The Globe and Mail
A practical and candid look at one of retirement's least-discussed losses — the sudden disappearance of the professional community that defined daily life for decades. The article explores what former executives can do to maintain meaningful connection after leaving, and why it matters more than most people anticipate.
The Easiest Way to Keep Your Friends
The Atlantic, January 2025
A deceptively simple idea with real staying power: put your friendships on the calendar and treat them like any other commitment. The article makes the case that the reason adult friendships fade is not a lack of caring, but a lack of structure — and that a recurring monthly or weekly slot is often all it takes to keep the people who matter most in your life. Practical, warm, and immediately actionable.