In the world of CEOs and business leaders, there is a phase of life that demands more than mere success—it calls for significance. This transition is often framed as “halftime”—a more virtuous look at the otherwise cliché and demoralizing notion of a midlife crisis. Bob Buford popularized the concept in his seminal book Halftime.
Buford articulated that halftime is the pivotal moment where individuals reassess their lives, moving from chasing success to finding significance. As someone who has lived this journey and mentored others through it—including serving as the chairperson of the Halftime Institute in Australia—I want to explore how leaders can make this shift effectively.
The idea of halftime is rooted in the metaphor of a sports game. At the midpoint, teams retreat to the locker room, reflect on their performance, and adjust their strategies for the second half. For leaders, halftime is about reflection and recalibration, moving beyond success—often defined by personal and career achievements—toward significance, which focuses on meaningful impact in the lives of others​.
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