With all the discussion of age in recent months, perhaps there is something we can learn. Question, in fact: do we recognize youth as a strength? Note the following, fascinating stories of success. Yes, there is much we can learn…
The first emperor of Rome, Augustus Caesar, became a Roman senator at 20 years old.
Joan of Arc was 17 when she helped turn things around for France.
French mathematician Blaise Pascal began developing a handheld calculator at 19.
Louis Braille created the Braille language for the blind at only 15 years of age.
Mozart wrote his first symphony at the wee age of 8.
Also in the music world, Beethoven published his first work at only 13.
Mary, mother of Jesus, was said to be only up to 17 at the time of his birth.
History’s King David was crowned at age 30.
Moving to a bit more of a contemporary season, Bill Gates was 20 when he founded Microsoft.
Steve Jobs was 21 when Apple was born.
Malala Yousafzai spoke out against the Taliban and how they treated women, becoming the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at age 17.
Not only was Jesse Owens recognized as the world’s fastest human at 22, but he also was credited with “single-handedly crushing Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy.”
Several young authors led via their youthful creativity… Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein at 17 and both Charles Dickens and Truman Capote having iconic success at only 24.
Creativity continues as one Miss Taylor Alison Swift began professional songwriting at 14.
The “King of Pop” Michael Jackson went solo also at only 14.
We get a little older but remain youthful when we remember that Elon Musk founded SpaceX at 30.
And Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu — aka Mother Teresa — founded Missionaries of Charity at age 40.
At 52, Colin Powell became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest position in the Department of Defense, becoming the youngest officer to serve in this capacity.
Lest we forget the athletes, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes each led their teams to their first Super Bowl wins at age 24.
And the one and only Nadia Comăneci became the first Olympic gymnast to score a perfect 10.0 at only 14 years of age.
Suffice it to say, there is great talent, leadership and gifting in our youth.
While I will always offer and encourage deep respect for those who’ve gone before us — those who have deep wells of experience and sweet stories to share, I feel like we need to tap into our younger generations. Instead of being the “one” — the leader, head honcho, top dog, you-name-it — those who are wisest know when to tap into others who could also be the “one.” Wise leadership is never self-preserving.
Last week, no less, as written, our staff participated in an interactive, team building event. Indeed, it was “epic.” There were four teams, each with a pre-chosen leader, a gifted, very capable captain.
Who were our captains?
Well, our four youthful interns and apprentices, of course. What a joy to see them succeed.
Respectfully…
AR