Even if you don’t watch a lot of sports, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Michelle Kwan. She’s enjoyed a successful career in figure skating, and recently announced her retirement from the sport (my bold emphasis):
The nine-time American figure skating champion announced Friday that she will begin pursuit toward a master’s degree in international affairs this fall rather than train for next February’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
There had been speculation that the 29-year old Kwan would return to the ice after a four year layoff in an attempt to win the Olympic gold that has eluded her throughout her storied career. A career in public service took precedence.
Kwan has served as a public diplomacy envoy for the State Department in recent years and hopes that her graduate degree will help her advance in that field. She will begin classes at Tufts University in September.
Michelle Kwan has effectively given up a career as a figure skating champion to go to grad school and be a public servant. Here she was, a successful Generation Y leader in her field, who decided that she had to give up one passion – skating - in order to pursue her other passion for public diplomacy. She realized that she had to say ‘no’ to figure skating so that she could say ‘yes’ to a career in public service.
Earlier this year, a Washington post article outlined Kwan’s decisionmaking process about the future of her career:
A return by Kwan, 28, would thrill the legions of loyal fans who adored her as she dominated her sport for a decade, winning nine U.S. championships and earning the distinction, in the minds of many, of being the greatest figure skater of all-time. . . But a decision to stay out of the sport would leave Kwan free to pursue graduate school — she said she has applied to a number of programs and is awaiting acceptance letters — while continuing to further her career with the State Department. ”I could train to get in shape to be in the Olympics, or to do a tour perhaps in the future, or it could be just chilling with my two nieces at the rink,” she said. “That’s where I’m at. . . . It’s nice to have all of these options right now, because I am not sure.”
Although her fans will undoubtedly miss her, Michelle Kwan’s decision to leave the world of figure skating offers young nonprofit leaders a few lessons in leadership.
Don’t Limit Yourself
Like most talented, educated Generation Y leaders, Michelle Kwan had a lot of options. But the great thing is that she didn’t limit herself to just being a figure skater. She took the courageous leap into doing something outside of her realm of expertise, something she now has to go back to school for. Sometimes Generation Y leaders can get pigeonholed into doing a job just because we’re good at it. Even though you majored in English and love to write, your organization may be on some, ‘oh, she’s great at managing the budget, let’s make her the finance manager,’ without stopping to think about if it’s really what you want to do. Don’t let someone else tell you where you’re best suited. You may possess many other talents, but you just have to step out on faith to test them out.
Your Goals May Not Match Those of Your Organization
Michelle’s fans will miss her. The sport of figure skating will not be able to benefit from the excitement of what could have been her comeback next year. If Michelle’s main goal was to please her fans, she would be out there on the ice right now. But she chose to focus on a new career path that didn’t mesh with the wants and needs of the sport. Same goes for young nonprofit leaders. You have to know what your priorities are, and they are not always going to mesh perfectly the goals of your nonprofit. They may need you to work late into the evenings, but you want to do yoga after work. So what if your nonprofit is starting a capital campaign? If the pace or the demands of the job don’t fit you, don’t do it.
When One Door Closes, Another Will Open
Even though you may be yearning to go in a slightly different direction with your career, it can be hard to get past the feeling that you’re burning a bridge you can’t ever cross back over. But this is not necessarily the case. If you keep your skills and knowledge of the field updated, you can always go back to what you’re doing now. For instance, even though she is changing careers, Michelle can still serve as a sports commentator for figure skating or tour with other former skating champions. When I made the decision to take a break from school, I felt like I was quitting, with no idea of what to do next. But soon after that, I began to receive emails about opportunities that seemingly weren’t there before. As the old saying goes: “Leap, and the net will appear.
” You may not know exactly where you’re going at first, but somehow, sometime, a map will be provided for you.
Is it time for you to say ‘no’ so you can say ‘yes’ to what you really want to do in your life right now?
I love this article!! I lept and I landed at the foundation. I love how your postings are philsophically business like and full of professional guidance! I’ll be following you for a long time rosetta! thanks.
Thank you for continuously sharing your wisdom and perspectives. I enjoy reading your articles.
Your articles are refreshing. Thank you for sharing!