Finding Our Second Wave Is Key To Maintaining Career Success As We Age
Professional sport provides perhaps the most visceral example of career transitions in modern society, as the athletic potential of performers is usually limited to perhaps a decade, after which their physical strength wanes and they're no longer able to maintain their competitiveness.
There have been numerous examples of athletes struggling to come to terms with this transition, whether due to the changes in routine, changes in their income, or changes in the status and adulation they enjoy. Physical transitions such as these are visible and in your face, but Harvard's Arthur Brooks believes that similar transitions are likely to befall us all during our careers.
In From Strength to Strength, he argues that there are two distinct forms of intelligence within us all. Fluid intelligence, which is perhaps what most of us associate with the word "intelligence", covers our ability to solve problems, think flexibly, and to reason.
The second form of intelligence is crystallized intelligence, which covers our ability to form insights based upon the stock of experiences and knowledge we've built up during our lifetime.
Brooks believes that these two forms of intelligence peak at very different points in our life. For instance, we tend to have the highest levels of fluid intelligence when we're young, with crystallized intelligence then peaking when we're much older.
Indeed, the crystallized intelligence that we so strongly associate with raw smarts tends to peak around our thirties and forties, and so it's quite possible that we all go through a mental transition just as profound as the physical transition that professional athletes go through.
"Too often we make assumptions about people's capabilities as they age, such as that we're not as good at learning new things or grasping new technologies," says Romano Toscano, Founder, MyLifeKit. "The reality is that we're just good at different things, such as connecting dots and creating networks, which are hugely valuable and can allow us to be extremely successful. Giving people access to data on the health and performance is key to self-improvement and personal empowerment.
The problem is that few of us realize that such a transition in our capabilities is taking place, and so we fail to appreciate that what helped us to achieve success in our younger years is unlikely to help us achieve success in later years when our abilities change.
"If you have experienced professional success in the early part of your career, and your job involved new ideas or solving hard problems, you have fluid intelligence to thank for it," Brooks writes.
As this form of intelligence declines, doing what we did when we were young is unlikely to be enough, and Brooks highlights the challenges this can present, especially if, like the professional athlete, we have grown used to success and attached to our way of achieving it. Continuing to strive along those same lines is unlikely to deliver the results we so crave.
Whereas the need to transition is evident from the very beginning of a professional athlete's career, however, Brooks believes that knowledge workers are largely oblivious to this need. He argues that business schools and similar educational establishments instead promote an endless stream of hard work and for our ambitions and intelligence to follow a consistent, linear path. This can create both an ignorance of the importance of our transition to a focus on crystallized intelligence and especially of how we might make the shift.
Finding Our Second Wave Is Key To Maintaining Career Success As We Age
Perhaps the first step in adapting to these changes is to view them in a positive light. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our declining capability is overwhelmingly negative. This can be especially so if we placed great pride in our successes and status during our career. If what got us where we are is no longer enough it can result in a hit to our esteem.
Brooks reminds us, however, that the crystalized intelligence curve can open up a whole host of new avenues to explore. For instance, he cites a number of professions where the ability to join dots together can be hugely valuable, such as historians, teachers, and mentors. Indeed, in 2030: How Today's Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything, Mauro Guillen, dean of the Cambridge Judge Business School underlines the importance of this lateral thinking.
"The main message of the book is that you have to engage in lateral thinking because you have to be able to draw connections between things that may seem completely unrelated," he explains. "Once you dig into them, however, you begin to see how all of the different pieces interact, and you then realize that babies in China are connected to what's happening in shopping malls in the United States."
As a report from the UKs Government Office for Science demonstrates, our societies are getting progressively older and so it's beholden that we get better at aging successfully, both as individuals and as a society.
As the population ages, so will the UK workforce. The productivity and economic success of the UK will be increasingly tied to that of older workers, the authors explain. Enabling people to work for longer will help society to support growing numbers of dependents, while providing individuals with the financial and mental resources needed for increasingly long retirements.
The report highlights how the proportion of the working age population aged between 50 and the state pension age will grow from an already significant 26% in 2012 to 34% by 2050, which represents a growth of some 5.5 million people. As a result, the economic fortunes of the UK will increasingly be dependent upon this older workforce.
For Airbnbs Chip Conley, the key is to lean into the concept of the "modern elder". In his book Wisdom at Work he outlines a number of benefits that older workers can bring to any organization that demonstrates that aging doesn't need to be regarded as a sign of decline.
He suggests that the archetypal modern elder exhibits wisdom in a number of key ways:
Weve seen platforms emerge, such as Your Encore, to enable organizations to tap into the wisdom of older employees, but whilst these platforms operate on a gig economy style model, Conley argues for a more fundamental reassessment of age in the workplace, and the value elders can bring to the way our organizations function. With most western societies experiencing a tremendous demographic transition towards an older, greyer society, its a shift that cannot come soon enough.
Go here to see the original:
Finding Our Second Wave Is Key To Maintaining Career Success As We Age - Forbes
- MB Shuffle: X1N0 Places Self-Empowerment in the center of Superstar - More Branches - March 20th, 2024 [March 20th, 2024]
- Oops! I called my boss 'dude.' Career coaches weigh in on tricky ... - NPR - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Servant leadership and AI: Agility and empowerment for the CLO - Chief Learning Officer - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- New Book You Were Born for More Offers a Transformative ... - Digital Journal - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- New academic year, new faces on campus - Central Michigan University - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Vanilla perfumes: the 8 best and long-lasting - Marie Claire UK - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Now, CCTV cams must at coaching centres - Times of India - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- What would have happened if Billie Jean King had lost to Bobby ... - The Boston Globe - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Discover the synergy between biotech and medtech in Ghent - Labiotech.eu - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Offtrack: The Long Road to Asylum for LGBTQ Refugees in Greece - Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- The rise of solo dates: Why Gen Zs are embracing 'Me Time' - Nairobi News - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Libra to Pisces: 4 Nurturing Zodiac Signs Who Prioritize the Needs ... - PINKVILLA - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- 2023 Northwest Indiana Women's Leadership & Innovation Summit ... - Purdue University Northwest - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- How Hinewehi Mohi uses te reo and music to bring Aotearoa together - New Zealand Herald - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- The 20 Most Anticipated Sequel and Reboot Movies Coming in ... - MovieWeb - June 22nd, 2023 [June 22nd, 2023]
- What Taylor Swift teaches girls about taking control of their lives and ... - Morningstar - June 22nd, 2023 [June 22nd, 2023]
- Report Points To Growth Of Asian-American Businesses In ... - iHeart - June 22nd, 2023 [June 22nd, 2023]
- Empowering Women: A Day of Firearms and Firearm Safety | P ... - NewsBreak Original - June 22nd, 2023 [June 22nd, 2023]
- EMBRACING THE SPIRIT OF AFRICAPITALISM: CATALYSING ... - The Tony Elumelu Foundation - June 22nd, 2023 [June 22nd, 2023]
- The best albums of the year so far (2023) - The Vinyl Factory - June 22nd, 2023 [June 22nd, 2023]
- Benton County Sheriff's deputies train to help kids avoid bad situations - Westside Eagle Observer - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Too Much Seduction: How to stay pure in a culture that glorifies sex, lust, lewdness - EEW Magazine - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng review tragedy in the tropics - The Guardian - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- More Than Just A Game How Dungeons And Dragons Is Making ... - IFLScience - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- GoodHeart | 25-y-o Leneka Rhoden is a beacon of service and ... - Jamaica Gleaner - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- FemTech: technology empowering women's health and well-being - Lexology - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- NBA Foundation: Uplifting Memphis youth through music - NBA.com - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Greek film 'Behind The Haystacks' to be featured at Sydney Film ... - Neos Kosmos - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Grants approved for groups in Wellington North exceed budget - Wellington Advertiser - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Self-Empowerment: 7 Ways to Empower Yourself | Maryville Online - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- When you take all that we encompass and the drive that we have, it's ... - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- Code of Ethics: English - National Association of Social Workers - October 25th, 2022 [October 25th, 2022]
- All children deserve arts and music programs in schools, thats why Prop. 28 should be approved - San Bernardino County Sun - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Body Positive Sex Talk Empowering Women On TikTok - Women's Health - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- TCL Announces Exciting Collaboration with TCL Brand Ambassador Shyla Heal to Elevate #TCLForHer Platform and Inspire Women to Redefine Greatness -... - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The good employer: Creating and living-out a culture of empathy, empowerment and understanding - Digital Journal - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- International Day of The Girl: Rotary District 9125 Empowers 850 School Girls In Kano THE AUTHORITY NEWS - THE AUTHORITY NEWS - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- MEET THE CANDIDATES: Charleswood-Westwood-Tuxedo - Winnipeg Sun - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Ruth Radelet (ex Chromatics) discusses the inspirations behind her debut solo EP - Brooklyn Vegan - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Here to stay! How this OG Tagaytay wellness spa survived the pandemic, is stronger than ever - Rappler - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Set to Consider $3.2M in Awards to Local Organizations as Part of the Community Priority Fund -... - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- FEMALE INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE SPEAKERS - News - htafc.com - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Graphic designer works his way to the top - The Herald - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Foundation coaches in Tanzania attend in-person training sessions - Real Madrid - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Jade Helliwell releases first EP since 2018 in upbeat celebration of women - Music Talkers - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Competing interests: protection of transgender rights and freedom of religious beliefs - the Australian perspective - Kennedys - Kennedys Law - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Adam Levine and The Try Guys: Cheating scandals hit different right now - Vox.com - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Championing the value of time and a future-proof healthcare plan for women - Malaysiakini - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Seattle Rep Announces October Programming Featuring WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME & More - Broadway World - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Who are the actors playing Martin Luther King and Malcolm X? - New York Daily News - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- "One Of A Million" by Softcult - Northern Transmissions - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Aesthetic Gynaecology and Regenerative Medicine Training held in Delhi by IASRM (International Association of Stemcell and Regenerative Medicine) -... - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- 6 Teens Who Make The World A Better Place - Forbes - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Earn Your Leisure Partners with Steve Harvey to Assemble an All-Star Financial Lineup for Innovative Festival at London's Historic Royal Albert Hall -... - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- KNUST-Obuasi campus honours Dr. Love Konadu and 25 others - BusinessGhana - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Back-to-the-office moves leave tech uneasy - Axios - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- FEMALE INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE - News - htafc.com - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Neustar and LiveVox Join Forces to Improve Outbound Customer Contactability - Business Wire - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- 5 Organisations We've Teamed Up With to Empower Africa's Young People - Global Citizen - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- What is Witchcore? The Aesthetic Gaining Popularity on Social Media, Explained - The Mary Sue - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- After 10 years of swiping right, what have we gained from Tinder? - Sydney Morning Herald - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Sisters of the revolution: the women of the Black Panther party - The Guardian - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- ANALYSIS | Only SAs elite benefits from black economic empowerment and Covid-19 proved it - News24 - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- 'We need to be aware of the power of touch' - Nursing Times - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Students reminded of University resources to support mental health and wellness - Pennsylvania State University - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Boudoir photographer Amanda Robb helps 'terrified' women love their bodies - Stuff - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Super Girl Surf Pro returning to Oceanside with global surf stars like Bethany Hamilton and a music festival - The San Diego Union-Tribune - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- 5 Business Experts to Learn from in 2022 - The Australian Business Journal - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Stealthy state crimes during times of disaster - Mail and Guardian - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Neha Mujawdiyas Personal Journey In Accessing Basic Education Inspired Her Startup - SheThePeople - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- The Experience of Pregnant Women in the Health Management Model of Int | IJWH - Dove Medical Press - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Men are more prone to suicide than women, reveals NCRB data - The New Indian Express - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- 25 Empowerment Anthems: Songs for an Extra Boost of Confidence - Billboard - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- 40 years later, business of healthcare changed in very personal ways PharmaLive - PharmaLive - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Setting boundaries in your daily life can protect you from 'harmful experiences': Here are 3 tips to get you started - CNBC - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- I Tested PUMA's New Frida Kahlo Collection Honoring the Iconic's Legacy - mit - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- The Activist Offering: Lessons from Kansas - Progressive.org - Progressive.org - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- 'The Majnu Ka Tilla Diaries' Reveals Tibetan Empowerment in India - The Wire - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Kentwood Players announces open auditions for 9 TO 5 the Musical - Culver City Observer - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- 'They/Them' Review: A Slasher That Isn't as Scary or Subversive as Real Life - CNET - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]