Giving Back: Volunteering with Purpose

Ashley Walker
Jun 24
2 min read

You’ve spent your whole career leading, building, and solving big problems. As you prepare for retirement, the desire to “give back” often rises to the surface—but you’re not looking to simply pass time.

Group of smiling people in blue "VOLUNTEER" shirts standing in a desert setting, arms around each other, conveying camaraderie and joy.

You want to make a difference doing something that matters.

For high-achieving professionals, volunteering can be a powerful expression of purpose. And to be purposeful it needs to be intentional. I recall a client who was excited to spend her time volunteering when she retired. She said yes to the opportunities that came her way, until she realized that she was working more as a volunteer than she did in her career. Discerning what is most meaningful to you is key.

Not All Volunteering is Equal

Let’s be honest—after decades in a high-performance environment, folding brochures or working a sign-in table may not satisfy your soul.

What you want is strategic volunteering:

Serving on a board where your insights drive growth
Mentoring future leaders in your industry
Advising a nonprofit with operational or strategic challenges
Spearheading a campaign that fuels a cause you believe in

Person in a blue shirt holds a cardboard sign reading "VOLUNTEERS NEEDED" in red text. Background is blurred, evoking a call to action.

Volunteering should leverage your strengths and values—not ignore them. When you consider your strengths, think about the areas where your skills overlap with your interests. That is the sweet spot where your strengths lie and where you want to begin to explore the possibiliites.

Why Professionals Struggle to Find the Right Fit

Most professionals don’t volunteer more because they don’t know where to start. Common barriers include:

“I want to give back—but to what?”
“How do I know if an organization is aligned with my values?”
“I’m not ready to be tied down by another commitment.”

The key is clarity. Know your values. Know your strengths. Know your boundaries. Know your goals. That’s how you volunteer with purpose.

Group of people in blue shirts picking up trash in a sunny, green field. They use blue bags and look focused on cleaning the area.

5 Questions to Find the Right Fit

What causes resonate with you or are you passionate about?Social justice, education, veterans, healthcare, entrepreneurship?

What skills do you want to use—and not use?Want to step out of leadership mode, or lean into it in new ways?

How much time do you want to give?Be honest with yourself—overcommitting is a common regret.

What kind of people do you want to be around?Do you want to mentor? Collaborate? Be part of a movement?

What results do you want to see?Do you want to see measurable change—or simply feel connected?

Retirement isn’t the end of your leadership journey—it’s a chance to direct it toward causes that reflect who you are.

If you’re ready to explore your next chapter with purpose, download my free Legacy Discovery Worksheet. It’s designed to help you clarify the legacy you want to live through the work you choose now.