Unlocking Effortless Leadership with Multi-Generational Project Teams
The other night, my wife and I found ourselves in a classic situation: watching TV and struggling to recall the name of a familiar actress on screen. It's the kind of moment that makes you slap your forehead when the answer finally hits you, sometimes hours or even days later.
These instances have become more frequent lately. I can't pinpoint when it started, but I'm certain that my memory isn't as sharp as it once was. The truth is, as we age, our brains become less adept at recalling information we've stored. According to researchers, sometime around our mid-thirties, our ability to recall facts and make quick decisions begins to wane.
Author Arthur C. Brooks, in his book From Strength to Strength, describes the concept of "fluid intelligence" that we possess when we're younger—the ability to think quickly and solve problems efficiently. As we age, this ability naturally diminishes for everyone. Albert Einstein earned the Nobel prize for work he completed at the age of 26. His Theory of Relativity was published when he was 35. Revered as one of the greatest physicists of all time, he produced no new groundbreaking research for the rest of his life.
Understanding fluid intelligence is great news for young construction professionals. It gives them the ability to solve problems, make calculations, and think quickly. For more experienced folks, these abilities fade over time.
However, all is not lost. While they may not be as swift and nimble, older individuals possess a valuable advantage that more than compensates for this loss. Brooks labels it "crystallized intelligence," where the weight of accumulated knowledge and experience enhances cognitive function in different ways.
This wisdom and experience come with a responsibility—to share. Assisting younger workers in learning from our mistakes, helping them see one move ahead, because experience allows them to play chess when others are playing checkers. In the construction industry this is vital. There is no substitute for experience when dealing with the complicated situations that arise when no two projects are the same.
But here's the exciting part: research into brain function has shown that it's possible not only to slow cognitive decline but also to restore lost capabilities. It’s called neuroplasticity, the brain's incredible ability to create new connections. Both younger construction professionals and those with greater experience can strengthen and restore neural connections.
Research indicates that continual learning, a cornerstone of crystallized intelligence, is associated with improved problem-solving skills and strategic thinking in the workplace. For instance, individuals who engage in learning a new language exhibit heightened cognitive abilities, contributing to more effective communication and adaptability (Li et al., 2014). Similarly, those with a background in musical training, even acquired later in life, demonstrate enhanced creativity and innovative thinking, valuable assets in any professional setting (Hanna-Pladdy & Mackay, 2011).
Moreover, the commitment to regular aerobic exercise, linked to increased neural plasticity, can translate into improved focus, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance within the professional sphere (Erickson et al., 2011). This benefit applies to all ages and contributes to stress reduction and general health.
For younger workers, making exercise and lifetime learning a priority early in your careers can help to delay the inevitable decline in fluid intelligence. As with any healthy habit, it is much harder to start the longer you wait. For older professionals, it is never too late to begin.
We can’t escape the reality of fading fluid intelligence and accumulating crystallized intelligence, but the aging process need not be synonymous with a decline in cognitive abilities. Through continuous learning, aerobic exercise, and sharing the invaluable wealth of experience, we not only enrich our own professional lives but also become part of a collaborative environment where the diverse strengths of different generations converge for the benefit of project teams and the industry.
Citations
Li, P., Legault, J., & Litcofsky, K. A. (2014). Neuroplasticity as a function of second language learning: Anatomical changes in the human brain. Cortex, 58, 301-324.
Hanna-Pladdy, B., & Mackay, A. (2011). The relation between instrumental musical activity and cognitive aging. Neuropsychology, 25(3), 378-386.
Erickson, K. I., Voss, M. W., Prakash, R. S., Basak, C., Szabo, A., Chaddock, L., ... & Kramer, A. F. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3017-3022.
Spark Notes:
The Adulting Phenomenon: we discussed the transition into adulthood and the perceived loss of quick learning ability as we age.
Brain Development: we referenced research on brain patterns and the natural decline in absorbing new information starting from the mid-twenties.
Wisdom vs. Freshness: we also explored the concept of ‘Rookie Smarts’ and the balance between the wisdom of experience and the value of fresh perspectives.
