Is your career path really serving you — or is it time to rethink what “success” looks like? In this episode of the ScaleX Insider Podcast, Derek Coburn — entrepreneur, financial advisor, co-founder of CADRE, and bestselling author of Networking Is Not Working — shares his insights on building authentic professional connections, creating lasting value beyond the traditional networking playbook, and redefining what retirement really means.

From challenging outdated models of career progression to showing leaders how to prioritise meaning, impact, and relationships, Derek helps entrepreneurs and CEOs unlock more freedom and fulfillment — now, not “someday.”

We explore: ✅ Why most networking doesn’t work — and what to do instead ✅ The power of “un-networking” to create meaningful connections ✅ Why retiring retirement opens up new possibilities for living fully ✅ Balancing professional ambition with personal fulfillment ✅ Practical ways to connect, contribute, and thrive in business and life

📌 Connect with Derek Coburn

🌐 Website: https://www.derekcoburn.com/

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekcoburn/

📖 Books: Networking Is Not Working (2014), Let’s Retire Retirement (2025)

🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers.

If you’re an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us:

👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/

👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (for £750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/

🌐 Website: https://www.simplescaling.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling

🎧 Listen to More ScaleX™ Insider Episodes 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleScaling 🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kxPOgS4YArDZtP3VhXlJY 🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scalex-insider-podcast/id1556396323

Derek Coburn: “Let’s Retire Retirement”: Work Longer, Live Better