Aug 5, 2026

Retirement isn’t just the end of a career. For many executives, it’s the first time they’ve had to redefine who they are without the title they’ve spent decades earning.

So why do so many accomplished leaders struggle with this transition? And what can they do now to prepare for what’s next?

My guest today is Dr. Kelly Ottman, executive coach, researcher, and founder of Leadership Portals. After interviewing executives before and after retirement, she uncovered surprising patterns about identity, relationships, and the skills people need to thrive in the next chapter.

In this episode, we covered:

• Why the word “retirement” makes executives flinch 
• The surprising skills many leaders find out they’re missing after leaving work 
• Why “I’ll just join a few boards” isn’t as simple as it sounds 
• Losing your prestige vs. losing your credibility (and why they’re not the same thing) 
• What Kelly encourages people to create instead of a bucket list 
• What organizations overlook when preparing leaders for retirement

Resources

Email: KellyOttman@LeadershipPortals.com
Website: LeadershipPortals.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kellyottman