Good luck on your retirement. If it is anything like mine, you will be as busy as you are now. Just different things and you set your own pace.

I wrote in my book "Influences and Influencers" about how people and experiences affect who we are and how we think and act. Looks like you have found this as well in your career.

As for good and exceptional, I always strove to have my people good. Exceptional is something that usually only 20% achieve. They are the ones who over achieve without being told. It is hard to get people to that level. But good is something most everyone can do if they apply themselves. And it is what you want and expect from your people.

And those that attain this rarely brag about it. They just do it. Those that brag are typically not doing it. So to be noticed they tell everyone who will listen how much they do. If they did half of it they would be good.