What if the biggest disruption to work isn’t AI, automation, or hybrid models—but a 100-year-old idea about when careers are supposed to peak and decline?In episode 868, Pauline James speaks with Lisa Taylor, CEO of Challenge Factory, about why traditional career models are fundamentally broken in a world where many people will live well into their 80s and beyond. Together, they unpack how outdated assumptions about age, productivity, and “career ladders” quietly undermine engagement, waste talent, and accelerate disengagement—especially in midlife.Lisa explains how the concept of retirement at 65 was created for a very different era, why career conversations often disappear after age 49, and how manager bias—not performance—drives perceptions of declining productivity among experienced workers.The conversation also explores the idea of the “talent escalator”—and what happens when senior leaders reach the top with nowhere meaningful left to go. Lisa shares what progressive organisations are doing differently: designing roles beyond the final rung, enabling intergenerational mentorship, and creating space for purpose, contribution, and renewal across longer working lives.For individuals feeling stuck or ready to pivot, Lisa offers a practical alternative to the traditional CV-first approach—starting instead with purpose, strengths, values, and market relevance.This is a must-listen for HR leaders, executives, and professionals rethinking careers, longevity, and the future of work.Key Topics CoveredWhy retirement at 65 no longer makes sense in a world of 82+ year life expectancyMidlife as a distinct and valuable career stage—not a declineThe role of manager bias in perceived productivity dropsWhy career development conversations often stop too earlyThe “talent escalator” and how it jams at the topIntergenerational teams, mentorship, and cultural ambassadorshipWhy engaging older workers can reduce youth unemploymentA scientific, hypothesis-driven approach to talent strategyRethinking career pivots, entrepreneurship, and longer working lives🎧 Listen & SubscribeIf you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share the episode, and leave a review—it helps more people discover these conversations about work, leadership, and impact.Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events