Ad man. Educator. Team owner. Philanthropist. Collaborative communicator. Political party chair. Clemson cheerleader. Board member. Community leader. Joe Erwin has carried more titles than the Queen of England. He’s royalty when it comes to the art of reinvention.
“Ultimately, it’s about being aware and open to change, always,” shares the engaging innovator. “It’s just about knowing who you are. Change is gonna come no matter what. My attitude to change? Great! Bring it on!”
Long-time Greenvillians may recall watching Joe step away from his namesake ad agency, Erwin Penland, after taking it to great heights across 29 years. Many wondered about his reincarnation. “I was ready for something new,” admits the now-president of Endeavor. “It was kind of like the Beatles. Did they retire? No! They just went in different directions. I was ready for a new direction, but I was nowhere as good as the Beatles, let me be clear on that.”
No Day Tripper, Erwin was well prepared to navigate foreign roads adopting a new identity — something he’s done his entire life with great success.
“You need confidence, and it’s okay to be a little scared,” the pitchman advises. “I’m not going to look at anybody and say I’m not scared by change. I just welcome being scared a little bit.”
He also guarantees failures will come. “Oh, I’ve fallen and bruised myself badly,” he says with a laugh. “I’ve had colossal failures, but I just get back up, dust myself off, and say, ‘Alright, so that didn’t work so great, maybe we need to consider another route.’”
At 65, he also understands the caution that may come with the realization change can crack the coddled nest egg. “I think you can still tackle new projects by taking measured risks,” he recommends. “Set new parameters, and set some lanes, without jeopardizing your spouse and other passions in life. Like the bumper guards at the bowling alley, know you’ve got to keep it within this framework.”
And he doesn’t want to see anyone become paralyzed to the point of immobility. “Don’t miss the attainment of something new, something great, when all it takes to have that feeling is to have a go-for-it attitude,” Joe encourages. “Do you really want to give up the pursuit of joy? No. The biggest risk is to not try something new. That’s the biggest risk. I see it all the time and I swear it makes me cry. I say, ‘Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!’”
Joe’s Steps to Prep for Change:
- Trust your gut, but don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from experts in a chosen field.
- Study others who have overcome challenges in life.
- Serve others. It will make you feel good.
- Read Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking.”
The Expert
It’s been an incredibly busy year for career coach Paul Clark. Every week, he’s meeting with men and women who are transitioning to new avenues. “Sometimes it’s their choice, sometimes it’s not, and then COVID has shaken up the workplace and created a lot of new openings,” the 58-year-old explains. “This is a very exciting time to be our age. We’re all living longer, most of us are healthier, and can pivot to find our next big passion. Maybe that’s launching a new business, totally changing careers, or turning to non-profit work.”
Before joining Find Great People as a senior consultant, Paul transitioned industries himself, when his healthcare employer was bought out. “Whether change is your choice or not, I always advise folks to take a few months off to gain perspective,” he confides. “Get through the grieving process if there is one. Keep a daily routine, take inventory and conduct some self-assessment. What are your transferable skills? What are you good at? What do you love? What does the world need?”
Like Joe Erwin, Paul uses words that include “road” and “journey.” “Grab a map. The center is your purpose. Know where you are and where you want to go,” he says. “Make sure the windshield is clear. Remove the bugs and grime, so you can find clarity. Don’t worry about what’s in the rearview mirror, only let it provide perspective on what was good and not good.”
One area that Paul champions right now includes older women returning to the office. “You’ve heard of internships for twenty-somethings; well a lot of companies are offering “returnships,” to entice mid-career professionals back to the workplace, perhaps after they’ve raised kids, or taken leave to care for aging parents. They now have this wisdom and this great multi-tasking skill-set, and can address a quick learning curve. A lot of older women make incredible executives and they’re a great resource during the labor shortage.”
He’s also excited to see long-time executives search for reinvention within the nonprofit sector. “Charity groups are begging for strong leaders,” Paul shares. “They need men and women who can block, tackle and run a business. I also guide folks who want to learn a new skill to volunteer, as that’s a great way to get hands-on training and add depth to a resume.”
More than anything, he spurs folks to look for problems to solve. “That will help everyone find clarity quickly, and in a good market, you can get paid for it. There are so many resources right now. It’s never too late to change the world while embracing your passion.”
Paul’s Reinvention Tool Box
- Don’t hesitate to return to the classroom, whether that’s in-person or online. University web programs make it easier than ever to take classes.
- Explore Udemy.com for ideas on new skills.
- Utilize LinkedIn.com. “It’s not social media. It’s digital networking with 700 million accounts.”
- Open your circle and be creative. Find an accountability partner.
