From Generation to Generation

Jeff Rogers (far right) advocates intergenerational relationship

A conversation a few years ago related to seasoned business leaders thinking about how they were going to spend their time after they stepped away from their careers. One of the key topics mentioned was the reality that when they were climbing their career ladder very few mentors were there to help them as they navigated their course. They noted that many senior leaders had moved away to the greens of the desert and that it seemed like a generation of wisdom was missing from the marketplace.                                      

These leaders began to discuss how they would like to change this in their life time as they moved from busy careers to a place of strengthening each other and the next generation.

The obvious questions all elders will ask as they think about helping the next generation are, "What do we have to give?" "Does anyone care that we are still here?" "In a culture that celebrates youth, emerging technology, communication, and entertainment, what does a seasoned leader have to offer?"  "Will my life of planning, executing, vision casting, and accounting have any meaning to  a new generation?"

Yet as seaonsed leaders have been meeting together with their peers and sharing life at a deeper level in forums throughout the Seattle area young leaders are seeking to relate to them. Seasoned leaders are finding that their life does have meaning for others even after their professional career fades away. Younger leaders are looking for wisdom and relationship not just success princples or tactics.  

Recently C3 Leaders has moved to bridge the gap between seasoned leaders and younger leaders. We are now bringing seasoned leaders and younger leaders together in forums to share in a life journey. Our mission, "leaders encouraging leaders to live and lead like Jesus," propels us to think about the next generation and to give them shoulders on which to stand.

Perhaps you would like to be a part of Generation to Generation? Let us know. jsharpe@c3leaders.org