Unlocking Potential: Why Young Voices are Vital in the Boardroom

“The average hiring age of CEOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies has risen significantly over the past decade – from 51 to 55 years old – while the average age of board members stands at 63. According to a 2023 report of the International Parliamentary Union, only 2.8% of the world’s parliamentarians are aged 30 and 18.8% of the world’s MPs are aged 40 and under. On the world’s most youthful continent, Africa, the population’s median age is 19.7, while the median age of Africa’s political leaders is 62.” https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/07/intergenerational-leadership-for-a-regenerative-economy/

It’s time to question the entrenched belief that the old guard should continue to dominate boardrooms and parliamentary seats. Sure, these seasoned individuals bring a wealth of experience. But let’s be honest: the world isn’t what it was 20 years ago. We’re now facing an era where major crises are not the exception but the norm. In this relentless storm of challenges, the idea that only those with decades of experience can steer the ship is increasingly out of touch.

The standard defense for excluding young voices is their lack of experience. It’s argued that it takes at least 20 years to earn a seat at the table. This mindset, while once logical, now feels like a relic of a bygone era. In 2024, insisting on this outdated criterion means we’re essentially locking out an entire generation from crucial conversations and decision-making processes. This is particularly shortsighted in a world that’s constantly evolving—a world best described as VUCA: volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.

Younger individuals possess strengths that often surpass their supposed lack of experience. The argument that they’ll be the ones living with today’s decisions is well-worn and still valid, but it's not the main point. The key is their intrinsic understanding of the modern world, particularly in areas like technology and social media, something most older leaders can’t match. They’ve grown up with these tools and understand their workings, strengths, and pitfalls intimately. This deep familiarity is crucial in today’s fast-paced environment, where digital proficiency can make or break an organization.

Younger individuals possess strengths that often surpass their supposed lack of experience. The key is their intrinsic understanding of the modern world, particularly in areas like technology and social media, something most older leaders can’t match.

Imagine a company in the throes of a reputational crisis. The solution will almost certainly involve strategic use of social media. Wouldn’t you want someone on your board who doesn’t just understand Instagram from afar, but who actually lives and breathes it? It’s not just about being tech-savvy; it’s about having an intuitive grasp of the landscape that older generations simply don’t possess.

Another compelling example is their approach to AI. During the largest conversation on AI led by "Youth Talks", young people demonstrated a much wiser perspective than many experts. They pointed out the risks to humanity that we often fail to see—risks only highlighted by prominent philosophers who, unfortunately, remain largely unheard, drowned out by a sea of techno-optimists blinded by progress or merely lured by the profit associated with these technologies.

Then there’s the matter of change. It’s a fact: as people age, they tend to become more set in their ways. But the crises we face today demand not just experience but adaptability. We need leaders who can pivot quickly and embrace radical changes. Young people are not just a breath of fresh air—they are the disruptive force we desperately need to break through stagnant thinking.

This is not a call to purge the experienced from the boardrooms and parliaments. Their wisdom is invaluable. But the agility, fresh perspectives, and deep understanding of current realities that young people bring are indispensable. Their voices aren’t just needed—they’re critical.

To wrap up, this is not a call to purge the experienced from the boardrooms and parliaments. Their wisdom is invaluable. But clinging to an age monopoly in today’s VUCA world is not just outdated; it’s reckless. The agility, fresh perspectives, and deep understanding of current realities that young people bring are indispensable. It’s time to tear down the barriers and let them in. Their voices aren’t just needed—they’re critical.

#ReadyToLearnFromThem

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