Leadership 50 plus - Time travel of the baby boomers

Even in the face of global upheavals, the Baby Boomers as a generation are coming under strong scrutiny. Long seen in established circles for their success, but often criticized by the younger generation for having done many things wrong. It is noticeable that in light of the Ukraine crisis, there has suddenly been a shift in media images towards gray-haired military experts and historians. Some of them have clearly surpassed the Baby Boomer age. On the other hand, the deep questions about their professional future, the existential insecurity of women and men over 50 regarding topics such as career future, purpose, and possible alternatives in work reveal the depth of change. Even if it's a buzzword: "Purpose," the inner resonance and the associated questions about one's own actions have been heard more often in deep conversations. Without historical claim, here are the essential stages of many Boomers: - "We were all many, many in school, in college, in our careers," that was the starting motto when looking at birth rates. - "Speeding up was important," mostly with discipline and: "we were full of hope." - Chernobyl 1986, much still in memory in young years. - Mostly rapid advancement, everything grew, it almost always went upwards. - And: for about 20 years, the cool wind of postmodernity and individualization: "Be Yourself." - In 2008, the first setbacks came in connection with the global banking crisis, often also of a biographical nature from around the age of 45. - Since then, an unprecedented acceleration, increasing complexity everywhere, and often a deep sense of "What's next?", often unadmitted, as fears have an image problem. An opening often only happens in a protected environment. There are ways out, some thoughts on this: 1. It is important to practice the art of "Know Yourself." Your strengths, your Achilles' heel, and thus your patterns. Accept them, something always is, and learn to deal with them well according to the motto: "Ah, I notice XY, I better create distance or something else. Strangely, this doesn't stop throughout life. 2. Make fear your friend and guide, especially in times of upheaval. Do not deny it, look at it, explore its roots, but do not let it paralyze you. Fear can be the other half of courage. And the image of the fearless, often portrayed, is often deceiving. 3. You must speak the unspeakable to find out who is your friend and who is your hinderer, especially internally. The old Greek saying "Know Yourself," still applies today. It was very moving to witness a top manager recently speak very personally about his personal experiences in a large meeting. The room was silent. This time is a booster for personal development; if we have the courage to deeply engage with ourselves, we will also develop the strength to master this challenge, with a secure ethical compass. The 1st youth is given to you, the second you have to work for. "Don't be a tanker," that's what I sometimes want to say especially to men, stay flexible in spirit! Thank you for reading so far. In his presentations, the author shares experiences, food for thought, and examples with depth, as personal and organizational inspiration. If you would like to learn more about the topic "Leadership 50+ – Shifting Boundaries, Regaining Heights," check out the Online Impulse Series by Speakers Excellence on May 10, 2022, at 12:00 PM by clicking on this link: [Online-Impuls-Reihe von Speakers Excellence](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5WOjpADvTk-U_UKQ6xBEyA).