Elders: Ease Out and Make Room

I know this article will make many people mad, but remember that it is only my opinion. I believe men and women age 70 and older who have done well, accumulated sufficient wealth and currently have a sizable retirement fund should stop working full-time. Yes, stop working 35 plus hours per week! Before you launch aspersions, please listen to my reasoning.

Every year we have 1000s of graduates who compete for an insufficient supply of jobs. One reason for this job shortage is the fact that there are 1000s of our elders who insist on staying the course, until death do them part. It is sad when our elders, some with bent backs and others with canes, insist that they must work while 1000s of young minds are being wasted.

What in the world am I saying? Am I saying that the world no longer needs the wisdom, ingenuity and experience of our elders? Am I saying that our elders should step aside so the young can mess up everything? Neither. I am saying that our society needs both.

I believe a good leader is one who knows that the business, company, organization or government is not about him/her but rather about its sustaining power and continuity. A good leader ensures that there will be continuity by slowly releasing the reins of power and allowing the next batch of leaders to assume control. A good leader does not die in office at 83 and leaves company executives uncertain of what to do.

The need of our elders to gradually relinquish power so that those younger can begin the process of learning to lead, presents the opening for a compromise.

I do not believe that our elders should quit completely, but rather that they should take on less, have their salaries drastically reduced to a nominal fee and leave room and money for our graduates. I know that this is easier said than done. The fact is that our elders have sacrificed sweat and time to accomplish what they have. True also is the fact that they have spent so many years doing what they do and it is hard to imagine giving it all up. What would they do? Here is my suggestion.

It is time for our elders (those who have amassed considerable wealth and sufficient retirement funds) to ease into more consulting or advisory roles and coach the next generation of leaders. Our elders would agree to consulting fees less than their current salaries. What would they do with their spare time? My suggestion is that this time be given to voluntary work in thousands of organizations devoted to training and improving the lives of the next generation of leaders.

Think for a second. If this simple suggestion is followed our companies would have greater continuity of outstanding leadership, made possible by the continual giving of the wisest among us. Additionally, companies would have greater resources to hire more graduates, positioning them to learn from the best and taking their place in society. Furthermore, not only will our elders ensure that our society always has leaders, they will undoubtedly lead fulfilled lives to the end.

There is no greater service to mankind than to pour into the lives of others.

Finally, elders, if you decide to follow my suggestion and gradually ease out of office, do not spend all that extra time helping others - get out and spend time with yourself, spouse and loved ones.