Redirecting.work
Meg Bear
Resetting for Impact: A Journey Through Sabbatical to Future Leadership
There’s an extraordinary group of women in the Bay Area who formed a book club over 25 years ago, each with senior roles in HR tech. For me, they’ve been like a trusted cabinet, where I turn for advice and thinking and play partners. Over the years, I’ve supported some in finding their next career steps, while others have hired me for my research and value-engineering expertise. This group is a well of wisdom, and Meg Bear, an inspiring member of this network, has always posed questions to me and others that make you clarify your strengths, purpose, and values. She’s one of the most insightful voices I know, and I was thrilled to sit down with her for a pivot interview as she moves through her cocooning stage - aka sabbatical.
The Pivot
Meg’s journey took her from a high-impact role as President of SuccessFactors to a sabbatical marked by reflection and purpose-driven realignment. She left not out of burnout but to recharge, spend cherished time with her youngest child during their final year at home, and align herself with a new role where she could fully leverage her skills and experience. “I wasn’t burned out,” she reflected, “but I wanted to enter my next role with full energy and drive, without feeling I’d rushed into something.”
Meg had known her time at SuccessFactors was coming to a close as the market grappled with AI advancements and macroeconomic uncertainties. As SAP was undergoing transformations from leadership changes, she recognized that the right time to exit had emerged.
Her strategic thinking and commitment to transformational leadership are what define her. As she navigates this next phase, Meg remains driven by a vision to enact change that reaches beyond personal accomplishment. “Inventing the future to me is about creating opportunity equity,” she explains. This includes championing diverse representation and breaking down barriers to inclusion across gender, background, socioeconomic status, age, as well as neurodiversity. For Meg, transforming companies and uplifting underrepresented voices are inseparable parts of her mission.
Current Direction and Future Goals
With a clear vision, Meg’s next aim is to become the CEO or successor at a mid-sized tech company primed for transformation and growth. Perhaps more importantly, she’s embracing a long-term view, seeing her life and career in quarters. In addition to her executive goals, she’s planning to write two books: a memoir and a work on business philosophy, with a special focus on her mission to create an abundant future with opportunity equity. Meg envisions a world where equal access to opportunities becomes the norm, and she’s particularly passionate about dismantling the digital and socioeconomic divides that limit access to success.
Advice for Those in Transition – taking a Sabbatical
For those navigating career shifts or pauses, Meg offers insights rooted in resilience, purpose, and a willingness to embrace personal growth. Reflecting on her own sabbatical, she emphasizes the value of taking the time to gain clarity, re-energize, and align with your next role. Here are Meg’s insights for anyone in a similar transition:
1. Own Your Story: For Meg, authenticity and self-awareness are crucial. “You get to own your own narrative, especially when challenges arise,” she shares. “Clarity of purpose comes when you align your next steps with your values.”
2. Build a Broad Support Network: Meg has strengthened her journey with a network of trusted colleagues and mentors, including her Truth Council and the Bay Area book club. “It’s essential to think about support broadly,” she advises. She’s actively expanded her network, seeking connections with other CEOs and drawing from her professional community.
3. Think Long-Term and Embrace Learning: Viewing life in quarters, with each phase dedicated to specific goals, Meg encourages leaning into a Q3 focus on legacy, well-being, and ongoing learning. “If the work doesn’t align with my values and drive, it’s time to pivot,” she says. Her resilience in facing setbacks has become a core part of her toolkit, helping her navigate new challenges.
4. Prioritize Physical and Mental Health: Meg believes that physical and mental health are foundational to any successful pivot. Recognizing the demands of high-impact roles, she prioritizes routines like weight training and managing menopause with a proactive approach to wellness. “I think about my health span, not just my lifespan,” she notes, advocating for a wellness-focused approach that sustains energy and resilience through life’s transitions. She advises others to view health as a crucial asset to career satisfaction and life balance, emphasizing that “investing in personal well-being isn’t just about extending one’s career; it’s about creating the foundation for a balanced life that meets professional and personal demands.”
As Meg moves into this next chapter, she knows the journey will be challenging but is confident in her resilience, purpose, and vision for the future. Her story is a powerful reminder that successful pivots require a deliberate recalibration, an investment in personal health, and a dedication to creating a world where everyone has an equitable path to success.