Reaching ‘halftime’ and how leaders can shift from success to significance

For those of us in leadership, halftime offers a chance to redefine our goals and use our influence for a purpose greater than ourselves.

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.