Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
The most successful and happiest people work until they die, see Steve Jobs, F. D. Roosevelt or Malcolm Forbes and probably Warren Buffet.
Along a work life cycle, capabilities change anyhow and you have to adapt, e.g. you might work night shifts when younger and be more laid back and effective when being wiser. It is unfair to compare a young swimmer with a 80 year old, but vice versa it is unfair to compare a seasoned 45 year old PM with a 20 year old rookie.
I see no impact of age in work performance, as long as performance is measured against same age competition.
Saving Changes...
Fernando TeixeiraManaging Director| PM Solutions ConsultoriaSalvador, Pm Solutions Consultoria, Brazil
Sure Thomas! Thanks for the reply.
In any organization recruiting/selection processes, there are specifications for the technical and behavioral competencies for the performance of the function, as well as the training and pre-basic requirements, such as fluency in any language, proficiency in the use of any tool for computing and so on.
The age required is hardly mentioned by legal and ethical issues: even if there is a parameter, it is not of good tone touch the subject but is still common that people are rejected because the age but they are not informed about it.
The issue of age is an unwritten rule , derived from retirement rules, life time estimates and a pre-conceived idea of senility of aged people. In many developed countries the minimum age for retirement has raised as life expectations has growth while less babies are born.
Companies must change and accept that elderly are still productive with the advantage of the experience and the ability to coach or mentor less experienced people . It is the company responsibility to establish the appropriate balance among juniors, plains and seniors employees to fully ensure the maintenance of core competencies and knowledge within the organization. The lack of this talent management and mixing can be very disruptive to keep the competitive advantage and even for the progress of science and innovative products. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Fernando,
yes, you describe the problem of most companies not having considered that there are different needs and capabilities of employees of different age. In Germany, where some companies face the problem to loose knowledge and not being able to fill up the gaps with young some develop models how to integrate old and young. A few.
But, that should not become the problem of any employee, if he or she starts preparing for the own professional career phase after long term employment. Grow your network outside the company, go public, become a speaker, teach at universities and take on occasional feeelance engagements. Saving Changes...
Fernando TeixeiraManaging Director| PM Solutions ConsultoriaSalvador, Pm Solutions Consultoria, Brazil
By the way, following is an English transcription summary of an article from the Brazilian magazine Exame in its site :
Forget the history of brilliant young and elderly slow.
Unlike what has being always imagined, there is no such golden age of the brain, when all our skills would be at its peak. It is what indicates a new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in partnership with the General Hospital of Massachusetts, in the United States, which found that for each age group, a certain intelligence has its maximum performance.
Published in 2014, the research analyzed, since 2008, 50 ?000 tests of brain functions. “The fluid intelligence, related to the processing of new information, have peaks in several ages, not just at 20 years”, says Laura Germine, psychiatrist and neurosurgeon and one of the authors of the study. “There are some things that get better with the use and the time, and others that depend more on the youth.” The conclusion is that everyone has something to offer in every age, precisely because the brain is always changing and adapting.
The peaks observed in the study are not a rule. “The differences between individuals of the same age group are greater than the differences between the groups in itself,” says Laura.
To understand the brain, it becomes easier to understand why we are better or worse in certain aspects of social life (and reasoning) that can influence the way we view the dilemmas of work and make decisions.
From 18 to 20 years old
HIGH PERFORMANCE: INFORMATION PROCESSING
LOW PEREFORMANCE: DETAILED ANALYZES
HOW TO GET THE MOST : MORE OBSERVATIONS
At 25 years old
HIGH : RECENT MEMORY
LOW : EMOTIONAL MATURITY
HOW TO GET THE MOST: DEVELOP PATIENCE
At 30 years old
HIGH : RELATING WITH OTHERS
LOW : SPEED TO ABSORB NEWS
HOW TO GET THE MOST: INVEST IN THE RELATIONSHIP
From 40 to 50 years old
HIGH : EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
LOW : SHORT TERM MEMORY
HOW TO GETTING THE BEST : BET ON INTUITION
From 60 to 70 years old
HIGH: SCENARIOS OF UNDERSTANDING
During this period, everything learned during life is flat in the brain and can be used more efficiently.
LOW: LEARNING NEWS
Because the brain has become accustomed to past information, it is not so easy for most people to learn new things or change old habits.
HOW TO GET THE MOST: MAKE CONNECTIONS
Experience and knowledge are Assets anywhere and can compensate for much of the possible decline of other brain functions. “People in this age group can get in the head the necessary elements to analyze information,” states Vladimir Ponczek, the Getulio Vargas Foundation in S. Paulo. Bet on power analysis and stunning to discuss ideas and give opinions Saving Changes...
There is no competition between people of different age groups.
When you are full of energy, you may not have experience but if you have experience, energy level may be less. It is up to you how you better apply your energy levels with experience.
If you are making yourself aware of new trends and tricks, you are in competition.
Enthusiasm ... a state of mind that inspires & arouses a person to ACTION!
It is contagious & effects not only the enthused ... but everyone with whom they come into contact. It is a force ... like gasoline to an engine.
Enthusiasm + Work
>>> Work is no more difficult/monotonous + Influence on others.
Keep the team enthused ... TogetherEveryoneAchievesMore! Saving Changes...
Ebenezer DaramolaManager| Ebensoft Consulting LtdLondon, United Kingdom
Naturally, the possessed energy levels across age groups are quite different and it will be great injustice to compare the work output of an 80 year old with that of a 30 year old; one might be oozing great level of energy while the other could be slightly feeble but with astonishing experience, exposure and endowment. Energy, strength, vigour, experience etc are all needed in organizations and the ability to co-opt all of these in great synergy would make a great difference to any organization. As much as the younger ones are needed, the older ones are as equally as valuable too. No one should be discriminated against by the reason of age, it’s unethical. Saving Changes...
Fernando TeixeiraManaging Director| PM Solutions ConsultoriaSalvador, Pm Solutions Consultoria, Brazil
All comments are much appreciated and enrich the discussion.
I like the addition of energy in the matter and believe on a balanced health life style to deal with proper levels of energy.
As someone who has already retired twice (both with pensions), I find myself drawn to continue working. Projects and project management are great for people who are retired or semi-retired. By definition, a project has a start and end date, and when the project is over, one can be "retired" again. I doubt that I will every completely retire - I'll probably just keep taking more and more time off between projects. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
John,
you are a role model. Thanks for sharing,
I see an additional benefit following your way: you can better fit your capabilities to the needs of a client. You would not run the risk of accepting a project which you are not comfortable to complete successfully.
In order to be able to look for these temporary opportunities, it would be good to prepare yourself while not retired.
Thomas (retired once with pension) Saving Changes...
