Thinking and Leading. Differently. That is the tag line for this blog. But, it’s a website designed for people in the 2nd half of their life. So, why didn’t I put a tagline that including aging, or anti-aging? It’s to simply point out that when you are in your 2nd half of life or last 3rd or 4th of your life, we have to be more intentional about changing when we need to. We have to be proactive about embracing new and good ideas (even if we didn’t think of them).
Basically, I hope to motivate many of us, especially myself, to continue leading, continue to think through life events strategically, but making an effort do so differently when needed.
Apple had a huge “Think Different” campaign at one time and there was a big debate about if that was correct grammar. So, I will use what I think is correct. Think differently. Lead Differently. What does Apple know anyway? Well, a lot apparently, but that’s another conversation for another day.
Differently?
The word differently can have various meanings to people in the 2nd half of life. But I made a promise to myself when I was a very young man. I saw quite a few older people who were in leadership. I loved them. Some were really good leaders. But some…well, they were very well-intentioned, but would hardly embrace the slightest bit of change even for their own good. They were not ignorant people, but so convinced of the solidity of their ways that they hindered others. They refused to think differently and their leadership was hampered by that. They had an incredibly hard time embracing things from the younger generation. But I want to say without any hesitation that the words “older person” and “stubborn person’ should not be synonymous.
So, my life promise has been that I would be willing to change when a change is needed no matter how long I live. I want to be willing to admit where I am wrong and make a change literally up until the day I die. Certainly, most people have some great traditions in their lives. I do. That’s awesome. However, I promised that I would not hold on to tradition just for tradition’s sake when something else was needed or would be more effective.
Don’t Stop Thinking
This is in no way saying that we should just bow silly ideas, lifestyles, or just youthful ideas that are simply not wise. But, if my ignorant behind needs to change, then so be it also! All I’m saying is …….just don’t stop thinking. Don’t stop leading. If you want to have an impact in the 2nd half of life, then challenge yourself to think differently when needed. I don’t know which areas of life in which you need to think a bit differently. But, if you’re breathing air, there are some things there. So, if we are going to stay in the game, make a difference, and be influencers as we get older, we’ve got to do this.
If you don’t agree, that’s cool. I’m just saying. It happens too often. Just because you may be headed for retirement, or already there doesn’t mean that you should pack it up and take it to the house. Sure, when you’re ready to retire – go fishing, play golf, work your garden, etc. Enjoy those things. You earned them. However, this culture desperately needs older “seasoned” leaders. Although one day we might retire from an “official” job or career doesn’t mean we should disengage in the arena of new ideas, leadership, and public discourse. Let’s at least challenge ourselves to look at new ideas, concepts, and life in general from various angles.
Worldview
I make no apology that, although this blog is not necessarily a “Christian Blog,” my worldview is decidedly from that perspective. So, I’m sure that in quite an array of topics aimed at older individuals you will hear my worldview coming out. I’m still a staff pastor at an awesome church and I will attempt to write without embarrassing them!
So, whatever your worldview might be, nobody gets a pass on the topic of this post. You don’t get a pass. Be willing to be an influencer until you have no more breath.
- Let’s be willing to continue to take a loving, but firm stand on those issues we have known to be right for 40-50 years. But also –
- Let’s be willing to strategically think through a topic or an issue, and if needed- exercise humility and integrity to change our minds on things we may have been wrong about for 40-50 years as well.
Doing both of those things can put a lot of metaphorical “change in our pockets” in terms of maintaining respect from those who are coming behind us. And, if we can do BOTH of those things, we CAN be influencers in this culture.
Let’s fight the feeling to let our age paint us into a corner with old and outdated methods.
Here’s a little theological example. I was somewhat rebellious against my Baptist roots when I was young. But I wasn’t rebellious against the theology they espoused. I was conservative in my theology – just frustrated with the outdated methods. My friends and I were pushing the envelope with our music and methods in the early 80s while I believed strongly that too many churches were stuck in the 30s, 40s, and 50s in terms of their methodology.
I use that illustration just to remind all of us that you can stand on the principle of right and wrong, while still embracing new and modern methods that do not violate the basic principles of life and what you believe. That works for life in general, not just for church or theological issues.
So are you 50 and have quite a few years before retirement? Are you 60 and getting closer to some magic retirement age? Or, you may be well into your 70’s, 80’s or more and still going strong. Just don’t disengage. Yes, we may slow down as age continues to creep up on us, but don’t disengage.
We need the new and young leaders that come along in our society. However, we truly need wise and innovative “seasoned” leaders.
Don’t stop thinking wisely. Don’t stop leading strongly. You have the wisdom to offer. But do so differently – in a way in which you can look at issues and embrace change when needed -or stand on your current ideas and positions when necessary.
Come on!
Let’s do this!
Brian Sloan