Sunday, February 16, 2025

The best classroom in the world is listening to an elder

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David Stewart, RYP International
David Stewart, RYP Internationalhttps://www.rypinternational.com/
David Stewart (B Ed, Grad Dip Sports Science, master’s Business Leadership) David is the Founder & Principal of RYP International – A Coaching & Advisory Practice. For over 40 years he has worked globally with organisations, communities, sports teams, CEO’s and their leadership teams to develop their capability and culture to maximise performance.

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I am a co-founder and Chair of a business (My Word) that enables families to capture the life stories of their loved elders. Storytelling is the oldest and most accurate way to pass on history and wisdom. To know where you have come from is to know who you are. I am always amazed at the impact our elders have had on their families and communities through their acts of bravery, dedication, commitment, and selflessness. Leadership is shaped by experience, actions, and reflection. The elderly, with decades of life behind them, offer unique insights into what it means to lead effectively and meaningfully. Their reflections transcend technical skills, focusing instead on the timeless principles that underpin successful leadership. That is why the best classroom in the world is in the company of an elder.

Over the years of capturing stories, here are eight recurring leadership lessons our elderly have shared with us from their life stories:

Old woman telling story

1. Lead with empathy

One of the most profound lessons from our elders is the importance of empathy. With age comes an understanding that people are complex, and everyone carries unseen burdens. Effective leaders, they argue, seek to understand the needs, motivations, and challenges of their colleagues, team members and family. Their storytelling highlights that empathy fosters trust and loyalty, which are essential for building cohesive teams. Elders often emphasise that a leader who genuinely listens and connects on a human level creates an environment where people feel valued, safe, and motivated to contribute their best.

You should not judge. You should understand. The latter requires empathy.
Ernest Hemmingway (author)

2. Integrity is non-negotiable

Years of experience highlight the importance of integrity in leadership. A reputation for honesty and fairness, the elderly remind us, is hard-won and easily lost. They stress that leadership is not just about achieving goals but doing so in a way that aligns with ethical principles. Integrity inspires confidence and sets the standard for any organisation’s culture.

Your title makes you a manager; your actions make you a leader.
Recent quote from an elder we interviewed)

3. The power of patience

Through a lifetime of trials and triumphs, the elderly recognise the value of patience. In leadership, not all challenges have immediate solutions, and rushing decisions can lead to unnecessary mistakes. Patience also applies to people. Allowing team members, the time to grow, learn, and adapt fosters a more resilient and capable workforce.

The best leaders plant trees whose shade they may never sit under.
(Anon quote from a long-term CWA leader)

4. Adaptability and resilience

When being interviewed, the Elderly often reflect on how change is one of life’s few constants. Leaders must adapt to shifting circumstances, new challenges, and evolving landscapes. Resilience is not about avoiding failure but about learning from it and moving forward. Often the elderly observe that great Leaders embrace change with an open mind and a willingness to innovate. Their ability to remain steady in turbulent times reassures those they lead and inspires collective confidence. A growth mindset is a key leadership quality.

You have to be adaptable and self-reliant. There was no training before we went to war. But we just went along and learnt how to stay alive.
Vivian Bullwinkle OAM (WW2 nurse and survivor)

5. Relationships matter more than achievements

When reflecting on life, the elderly will always prioritise their relationships with other people over accolades. They emphasise that leaders should focus on cultivating meaningful connections with their teams, peers, and communities. A leader who genuinely invests in people leaves a legacy far greater than one who is solely goal or money oriented. Wealth is not success; it is a by-product. A leader’s legacy is always the impact they had on others and the legacy they leave.

People may forget your title, or what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.
Angelou Maya (poet, author, activist)

6. Humility is a strength

Humility is a recurring theme in elderly reflections. Great leaders are great role models. They recognise their own limitations and are willing to learn from others. Humility fosters collaboration and creates space for diverse voices to be heard. By admitting mistakes and seeking input, leaders can role model the behaviours and mindsets that encourages trust and mutual respect. No narcissistic leader is ever considered a great example of a leader.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself – but thinking of yourself less
C. S. Lewis (author)

7. Purpose-driven leadership

The elderly often stress the importance of leading with purpose. Their reflections connect purpose, with passion, and their leadership. Often the legacy they wanted to leave was simply to make a difference, add value to their community, or provide a better living standard for their family. Leadership must have a purpose. This will always form the epicentre of their storytelling, which will reveal their values and what drives them. Purpose-driven leaders inspire others to work not just for goals but for shared values and visions. They leave behind organisations, communities and families that thrive beyond their tenure.

If you ever make it in life – help someone else make it. It will be your greatest leadership legacy.
Roger Riordan (Cybec Foundation)

8. Gratitude and recognition

A lifetime of experience teaches the elderly the importance of gratitude. They emphasise that leaders should acknowledge the contributions of their teams and celebrate successes, no matter how small. Expressing gratitude strengthens relationships and reinforces a positive culture. Key is to catch people doing things right and recognise them for it. Gratitude is a simple act with profound results—it costs nothing but means everything.

Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.
Doris Day (actress)

Conclusion

The reflections of the elderly offer a treasure trove of leadership wisdom. Their lessons remind us that leadership is not about power or position but about people, principles, and purpose. By leading with empathy, integrity, humility, and resilience, leaders can create a lasting impact. In their storytelling, the measure of leadership lies not in what you achieve but in how you inspire others to grow and succeed. As we navigate the challenges of leadership, the wisdom of those who have walked before us serves as a guiding light, reminding us of what truly matters.

The best classroom in the world is in the company of an elderly person.

Father and son cooking

Leadership Lesson

Leadership is not a part-time work habit, but a full-time life quest. History will be the judge of the leadership legacy you leave and how you made a difference.

Facta Non Verba – Deeds Not Words

Finally

It is important to capture a loved one’s story before it is too late. Once they are gone it will be forgotten and in time, lost

My Word Connect Through Stories: https://mywordcts.com/

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