” A 77 year old kills a 87 year old.” – ” 77 year old Benjamin Netanyahu, with the support of 79 year old Donald Trump killed 87 year old Ali Khamenei. “
My contention for this essay is simple – There is a link between “age of an individual” and “his actions to this world”, Particularly age matters most when it comes to leadership or decision making issues. So, here let me focus on, the AGE of an individual, which is the primary cause of these kind of wars, kills, destruction etc. –
If we dissect the origin of any war, riot, confusion or destruction in this world, it will all pinpoint back to one individual, – one single decision or suggestion by one individual. For any of the above events, there is a personal vendetta or bias or ideology, by someone. – One individual against someone or something. Let it be a Ramayana war, Trojan war or the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
In 21st century, we know that world life expectancy is 70 plus years. Average Life of an individual is 72 years.
We all know that, the jobs we hold has an end of job time called, RETIREMENT – A transition of full time employment to a life with no official work. Governments officially declares it as a set norm for everyone. There are many variations for this norm from country to country. Likewise, older CEOs are replaced by younger ones. Old business owners bring in their heirs who are younger in age. For any job, there is cessation of official work with a particular age of the person. Retirement age is 60 years.
For example, for any individual, to drive, we have eligibility age as 18 years in many countries worldwide. Why not adopt it to exit level also ?
Why not have the similar law, world wide in politics, bureaucracy, judicial, religions, business, etc ?
Let all those who are taking leading roles to groups, teams, state, nations, religion, etc., have “DISENGAGEMENT AGE – 50 years”. I suggest this for both men and women including private firms, and for all over the world also.
Why do we need Disengagement at 50 years ?
The Prime age for an individual is 40 to 50. Where maturity, health, and ability of the individual will be most utilized for the leadership role he is on. The ability to learn new things, adjust, adapt are all in optimal level during this period, after which there is loss of steadfastness, patience, resilience. when he is nearing retirement age. So before Retirement, his active leadership has to be disengaged.
Any leader of any sort ( presidents, monarchy, party leaders, Bishops, Pope, Prime Minister and all. ) will disengage at 50 years of age. After the disengagement age, he will continue to work under the younger successor leader. The remuneration, comforts of the disengaged person can be higher, and this will go till his retirement age.
The benefits of this Disengagement :
- With increasing age, due to neurological and cognitive decline, it has been assumed that older adults would be more inclined to make risky decisions and to choose risky behaviors than younger adults. Factors like Pride, Income, risk appetite are higher, when age increases. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/5/3/21
- Optimal physical capacity of an individual can prime between 30 to 40 years of age. After this there could be slow decline. The physical health lowers after 50, for many. The leadership activities done in this optimal healthy age ( between 30 and 50 ) will be the best, and can be utilized for others maximum benefit. When their health declines with age, time spent on their health issues, like fitness, routine check ups, food pattern, all give a drag on him.
- The desire to cling on to the post or chair or status will be reduced or eliminated as this is the primary cause of competition, elections, polls, and heir ship.
- Give way for the next younger one in line, for more innovation, for more adaptation, for resilience to subordinates, for being current and exciting. I strongly believe the younger leaders will do a better job with better professional acumen, competence, dexterity, make better decisions, then the ones above 50 years of age.
- The younger leader who is on top also will take care of the older retiring leader ( 50 to 60 years – their predecessor ) well and better, as in the next few short years, they will soon reach that level of age group.
- There will be smooth passing of the baton or chair, to the next in line.
- After the Disengagement age the individual can continue in active work force till he retires to aid the leadership, as patron, advisor, counsel etc. which will reduce the competitiveness and accusations, of the predecessors.
King of the jungle – The Lion Pride, has a similar rule. Only the Prime healthy leads. Not a withered old ageing lion. Why not learn from that ?
This is just an idea from a blogger. Now, the think tanks have to suggest a proposal to sociologists, constitutionals, law makers, religious panels, to come together and propose a inviolable solution.
The present world norm or law or modus operandi of leadership is obsolete and has to change. This requires a change of governing systems and hierarchy, etc. Laws may have to be amended for this to take into effect. Of course, the present older, ageing leader will NOT want this to happen.
But this has to happen, for sake of Future generations.
