Recent research has found that the most successful leaders across fields, are in their decade 60 to 70 years, followed by those in their 70’s and then by those in the 50 to 60 decade.

Even in the USA, where being ‘youthful’ is BIG, the Presidents recognized as the best in the last 60 years were the ones in their 60’s and 70’s. This does not mean that the younger ones were not competent, but only that they would have been better with greater maturity. Ofcourse, some of them matured faster if they remained long enough in the ‘high pressure cooker’ environment of their post.

Given the advantages of wisdom of age, what about the zeal, the enthusiasm and the single minded commitment of youth, especially those in their 20’s and early 30’s? Such zeal, enthusiasm and commitment have their place in many activities that require such attributes, especially those based on physical effort, but where policy, diplomacy and long term decision making is required they would benefit more if directed and guided by wisdom. Youth, in most countries / cultures, is defined as being between 14/15 years to 25/30 years, in a few even up to 35 years, even as most countries allow voting at 18 or 21 years. The learning and experiences during youth help them to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically and cognitively competent.

Youth has zeal and enthusiasm, an openness to new ideas and a single minded commitment to their ideas, with the firm belief that they will be successful in whatever they set out to do. They are keen to do things as quickly as possible and are prepared to sacrifice a great deal, even all, to attain their objective. They do not think of failure and its consequences, or about any collateral damage that may ensue.

They are unable to understand others who may not share their commitment, confidence and sense of urgency. They are more emotional and subject to peer pressure and attitudes. They see things mostly in stark shades of ‘Black and White’ and cannot comprehend the tolerance of their elders who see and speak of the many shades of ‘Grey’ in between.

Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels, but can easily confirm that they at 30 know and understand more than they did at 20, and at 20 were better than at 15 and so on. So perhaps they should thus keep an open mind about what they could be at 40, or 50 or 60, or even at 80 or more and be more aware of the value of wisdom that comes with age, knowledge, experience and maturity. After all the only way to grow old is to start young and age. However, Age must also, remember that as J. K. Rowling says “Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young”.

Youth Research Organization describes Youth as being motivated by:

• ‘Inspiration – They ‘dare to dream’ a vision.
• Aspiration – A ‘Can Do’ attitude in meeting challenges and achieving goals.
• Resilience – A ‘Never say Die’ spirit in the face of adversity.
• Integrity – The courage to ‘Walk the Talk’.
• Compassion- The passion to ‘Serve by Doing’.

Add to that,

Over confidence – leading to reckless risk taking and precipitate actions. Remember that Age has also, lived through Youth and therefore the actions of Youth would be more effective and meaningful when tempered and directed by the wisdom of Age. As Dr. Igor Grossman notes – “Generally wisdom is found to increase with age. However, greater individual skills exist where Society gives greater importance to collective values, and greater social skills where Society is more individ-ualistic”.

Wisdom lies in not assuming that your prejudices and attitudes are the only correct ones but in your;

• Willingness to seek opportunities to resolve conflict.
• Willingness to search for compromise
• Recognition of the limits of personal knowledge
• Awareness that more than one perspective on a problem can exist
• Appreciation of the fact that things may get worse before they get better

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