Partner | Executive Search
The professional landscape for leaders aged 50+ is evolving rapidly, both in Poland and across Europe. With decades of experience and strong leadership skills, senior executives remain valuable assets to organizations. However, shifting market demands, generational preferences, and the rise of digital transformation present unique challenges and opportunities for seasoned professionals.
In this article, Sylwia Fronc, Head of Executive Advisory and Partner at Neumann Executive, explores the current situation of 50+ leaders in Poland, comparing it with other European markets. She delves into key trends, challenges, and potential career paths for experienced professionals looking to continue their careers or transition into new roles.
The Role of Experienced Leaders in a Changing Market
In Poland, the gender pay gap is noticeable, but it is not the most challenging issue to address. The primary challenge lies in the lack of transparent salary systems and the internal consistency of base salaries – ensuring comparable pay for the same work or work of equal value. In practice, salary differences for the same position can reach 30-50%. Various factors contribute to these discrepancies, such as long tenure, labor market dynamics, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring. The Directive will make these issues subject to public scrutiny rather than internal company matters.
Market Demand and Aging Workforce
Poland, like many European countries, faces the challenge of an aging workforce. While younger leaders (30-40) are often favored in startups and the tech industry, more traditional sectors such as manufacturing, finance, and large corporations tend to value experienced leaders (50+). This pattern is also seen in other Eastern European countries, where deep institutional knowledge is crucial for navigating economic transitions. Compared to Western Europe, where leadership roles are more evenly distributed across age groups, Poland places greater emphasis on youth in tech and innovation while older leaders continue to dominate established industries.
Western European countries, such as Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, generally embrace a broader age range in leadership, prioritizing experience over youth. However, in economies driven by digital transformation – like the UK and Scandinavian countries –younger leaders are more prevalent in tech and innovation. As a result, Poland may seem slower in fostering age diversity in leadership compared to these markets, where inclusivity extends across various demographic factors, including age.
Retirement and Career Longevity
In many Western European countries, people in their 50s are expected to remain in the workforce for another 15-20 years, with organizations implementing policies to support the continued employment of older workers. Similarly, in Poland, while retirement age plays a key role in determining career length, societal expectations are evolving, with many 50-year-olds still pursuing executive roles or starting their own ventures, reflecting the broader European trend of extended working lives. However, age discrimination remains a challenge in Poland, despite growing awareness and efforts to include people over 50 in leadership recruitment. Some sectors, particularly dynamic industries like IT, still exhibit biases favoring younger leaders, whereas Western European countries generally offer stronger legal protections against age discrimination, helping older professionals remain competitive in leadership roles.
Career Reinvention After 50: Exploring New Leadership Opportunities
Leaders over 50 who are looking to transition can leverage their experience, network, and expertise to explore a range career opportunities like:
1. Consulting
Management or Executive Consulting: With decades of experience, leaders can offer strategic advice to smaller businesses or startups, helping them optimize operations, leadership strategies, or market positioning.
Industry-specific Consulting: If you have a deep understanding of a specific industry (e.g. finance, healthcare, manufacturing), you can provide specialized expertise to companies needing guidance on industry-specific challenges.
2. Entrepreneurship
Starting Your Own Business: many experienced leaders have the skills to start their own business in a field they are passionate about. This could range from a consultancy, an educational platform, a franchise, or even a tech startup depending on their background.
Social Entrepreneurship: If there is a cause or social impact you care deeply about, starting a non-profit or social enterprise could provide a fulfilling new chapter in your career. Experience in leadership and organizational management can be key to successfully running such ventures.
Franchise Business: For those looking for a structured, less risky approach to entrepreneurship, owning a franchise in a field like food, fitness, or service industries could be a good fit. Franchises offer a proven business model with the opportunity to leverage leadership skills without having to build a brand from scratch.
3. Board Membership
Advisory Boards: You can join advisory boards for smaller companies, startups, or non-profits, providing valuable insights and helping to steer businesses towards growth.
Corporate Boards: If you have strong connections and a deep understanding of corporate governance, you could join boards of directors for organizations, especially smaller public or private companies, or even non-profit boards.
4. Mentoring
Mentorship Programs: Establishing mentorship initiatives, either independently or in collaboration with organizations, could help young professionals and mid-level managers navigate their careers. Mentoring is an especially valuable service for startup founders or rising managers looking to accelerate their leadership potential.
5. Freelance Writing or Public Speaking
Content Creation: leaders with extensive experience can write books, create blogs, or produce articles on leadership, industry-specific topics, or personal development. This can also be monetized through speaking engagements or online content.
Public Speaking: with the right platform, experienced leaders can become keynote speakers, sharing their wisdom on topics like leadership, organizational change, industry insights, and personal development at conferences or workshops.
6. Education & Training
University Teaching: many institutions seek experienced leaders to teach business, management, or specialized courses. This could be in an academic setting or even in corporate training programs.
Corporate Training: offering leadership development workshops or professional skills training to businesses, particularly SMEs, can be a profitable venture. Areas such as change management, leadership styles, negotiation, and conflict resolution are always in demand.
7. Networking and Community Building
Building Professional Communities: Experienced leaders can form professional networks or industry groups that help others build connections and learn from one another. This could be an online community, regular meetups, or conferences tailored to people in their specific sector.
Local Community Projects: Transitioning to community leadership roles can be very rewarding. Offering your leadership expertise to local non-profits, community groups, or civic organizations can make a tangible impact while creating new, meaningful opportunities.
8. Investing/Angel Investing
Angel Investor or Venture Capital: Leaders over 50, especially those with a background in finance or entrepreneurial experience, may consider becoming angel investors, providing capital to startups or small businesses in exchange for equity. They can apply their leadership expertise to guide younger entrepreneurs toward success.
9. Technology and Digital Transformation
Advisory on Digital Transformation: given the increasing importance of technology, many leaders over 50 have a unique opportunity to guide organizations through digital transformation projects, even if they aren’t working in the tech sector directly. Experience in strategic leadership can be a key asset in helping companies navigate new tech trends.
Tech Startups: even without a technical background, experienced business leaders can partner with tech entrepreneurs and leverage their business skills to scale a tech startup. This could include areas like SaaS (Software as a Service), fintech, or AI-based solutions.
10. Non-Profit Leadership
Non-Profit Executive Roles: non-profits often seek experienced leaders to manage operations, drive fundraising efforts, and oversee organizational growth. The chance to have a positive social impact while utilizing business acumen can be incredibly fulfilling.
Key Success Factors for 50+ leaders in transition
For leaders over 50 undergoing career transitions, several key factors can significantly enhance success.
Leveraging extensive experience is crucial – highlighting a strong track record of leadership, industry expertise, and strategic decision-making can make a compelling case for continued professional relevance. Equally important is a commitment to lifelong learning, particularly in areas such as digital technology, social media, and online marketing, which are increasingly essential across industries. Expanding and actively utilizing professional networks can open doors to new opportunities, whether in consulting, mentoring, or entrepreneurship. Finally, adapting to a new professional landscape often requires a shift in mindset. Moving away from a traditional corporate environment demands flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to adopt a more hands-on approach, all of which are essential for successfully navigating new career paths.
Overall, leaders aged 50+ have a wealth of transferable skills that can be applied to a wide range of exciting, fulfilling, and financially rewarding opportunities also outside of big corporations. The key is identifying what excites you and where your expertise can make the greatest impact.
About the Author
Sylwia Fronc is a Executive Search Consultant and Head of Advisory at Neumann Executive, bringing her extensive industry experience in the Private Equity, Venture Capital, Finance, Fintech, Green Energy and IT sectors. Sylwia has over 20 years of extensive business experience, with a focus on executive search, leadership assessment, talent management and career advisory, as well as designing and delivering personal development and outplacement programs.
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