There is plenty of evidence to show that as we age, there are certain physiological declines that are inevitable.  Perhaps the best and most obvious example is what we see in professional athletes.  While various sports differ in terms of the need for raw power, speed, agility, and endurance, few would argue that by age 40, athletes are well past their peak performance years and have often showed decline in their mid-30s.  There could be rare exceptions, but even those athletes have likely altered their path to quality performance with the use of experience and modification or enhancement of certain skills.

Do these same results apply to other professions, even those in business, academia, or specialized technical roles.  Arthur C. Brooks argues that they do in his book, From Strength to Strength.  Brooks gives plenty of evidence to show that some 20 years into our careers – somewhere between 35 and 50, changes become evident.  Many of us in our 50s, 60s, and especially 70s admit to slowing down and possessing less energy and even interest in areas that we once mastered so easily.  Adaptation to new technology suffers, while attention to detail and tolerance for minutia decline.

But wait.  All is not lost.  When we are young in our careers, we have raw intelligence and often unbridled ambition to succeed.  And we will go to almost any length to achieve it.  But as we age, we gain wisdom and experience, and the ability to provide unique perspective that was never there in our youth.  Board rooms are filled with mature individuals who possess decades of applied intelligence which manifests itself in deep understanding and wise decision-making.

Getting older and being on the decline in certain areas does not diminish the usefulness of people in the second half of life, or even the final third.  In many respects, that’s when they are most valuable.  What is required is an understanding of the reality of life changes and the ability to add value in new and different ways that are often more enjoyable, interesting, and most importantly, meaningful.

Tags: Ability, Advice, Business Development, Business Tips, Decline, Developing Leaders, Energy, Evidence, Experience, Knowledge, Leadership Excellence, Leadership Skills, Master, Performance, Personal Development, Profession, Quality, Skills, Strength, Success, The Mind of a Leader, Wisdom