"Youthanize now!" - Futurist Jim Carroll
In Season 4, Episode 17 of the show The Office, the inept manager Michael spends a moment to explain why he wants to recruit young interns for the office - and says he wants to euthanize things (which means ending a person's life by a serum to end suffering from an incurable disease.). Since then, some have suggested that he was coining a new phrase, "Youthanize".
Let's run with it!
The world's in a bit of a mess. Some folks are hanging around too long. Have you noticed how the political leadership in the US seems to be getting, well... a bit long in the tooth? Some wonder if RBG and Joe had retired when they should have, things might have been different.
Let's look at the Senate, where the average age is pushing 65, but many are in their 80s and 90s! We've got the so-called Silent Generation and Baby Boomers dominating the scene, while Millennials—who represent a huge chunk of the population—barely have a seat at the table. And the fact is, this isn't just about numbers on a birth certificate; it's about who's making decisions about the future. So far, it's not going well, because these old folks don't seem to know how to battle back in this new era of fast-moving, social media-driven events. We're not at a Chuck-e-Cheese restaurant anymore.
Don't slam me for ageism - that's not my intente. Many of us will live longer, with minds as sharp as yesterday - but with wisdom, we should also know when to get out of the way. I've spent my career watching how organizations evolve and adapt, and I can tell you this: for today's younger generations, constant change is like oxygen. They've grown up with technology transforming around them daily. They don't fear innovation—they expect it! Meanwhile, we're seeing concerning signs in the political leadership, from public "freezing episodes" to declining cognitive health, with a Pentagon study even flagging dementia among aging officials as a national security concern. (Um, ponder that for a moment. Like, ponder it. Are they trying to tell us something?)
Here's what fascinates me: industries that welcome young people as idea generators tend to have massive agility and a high "change quotient." But the current political system seems designed to keep them out! Between gerrymandering, polarization, and the incredible advantages of incumbency, we've created a system where someone like Representative Connolly—74 years old and battling terminal cancer—can still be chosen for leadership because, in his words, "I've never had my chance." Meanwhile, AOC, who has the fire-breathing dragon anger needed in these complex times - is shut out of that opportunity because she's 'too young'.
Does this sound like an organization positioned for future success? NOT!
Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting we push our experienced leaders out the door. And at 66, I'm not part of the young demographic But. something isn't working.
The organizations that thrive in the future won't be those that cling to the past or those that recklessly chase every new trend. The winners will be those who create environments where multiple generations work together, combining wisdom with fresh perspectives. So instead of debating age limits (which, let's face it, can be discriminatory), let's focus on creating a political system that naturally encourages turnover, competition, and the inclusion of diverse generational viewpoints, particularly younger ones. As they consider who might replace current leaders, they shouldn't just be asking "Who's next in line and deserves a turn?" but "Who brings the fresh thinking we need for tomorrow's challenges?"
I've long believed that organizations must value the wisdom and insight of young people - they're naturally wired for innovation! Why is that?
- they breathe change: Gen-Y and "Gen-Connect" grew up immersed in technology. For them, constant change isn't threatening - it's like oxygen! They navigate innovation instinctively.
- fresh thinking is their superpower: These younger folks aren't constrained by "we've always done it this way"thinking.
- we need generational tolerance: I've seen countless young people frustrated because management stifles their ideas. When organizations welcome youth as idea sources, their agility skyrockets. The magic happens when we fuse experienced wisdom with youthful inspiration!
- they're redefining work itself: Today's young workforce isn't seeking traditional career paths. They're entrepreneurial and contract-oriented. Smart organizations adapt to harness this energy.
- it's about your "change-quotient": I've observed that industries embracing young perspectives demonstrate massive agility. Those who ignore youth insights risk obsolescence.
Create environments where their insights matter - your organization's future depends on it!
Remember —the future belongs to those who see it coming! And sometimes, the people who see it most clearly are those who haven't been staring at the same horizon for decades.
Futurist Jim Carroll recognizes that some of his trends wisdom comes with a better-than-before shelf date.