Giving Back During the Senior Years: It is with regard to this benefit that many Senior Sage leaders diverge from their younger colleagues. These Senior leaders often say they benefit greatly from the sense that they are leaving their community in a better place than they found it. Legacy is alive and well. They feel they are leaving a mark on the community’s quality of life. One Senior Sage puts it succinctly: “I’m just proud to live here.” But there seems to be much more to appreciate from the benefits derived by Senior Sages when they become generative during their senior years.
We note that many Senior Sages say they had become isolated in their early retirement due to being “burned-out” from years of corporate, nonprofit, or government politics. This is often the source of an old age silo. So, it is understandable that some Senior Sages retreat into themselves and became “curmudgeons” at first. Then in time, they discover they are experiencing personal stagnation and look for opportunities to become vital again—especially if they have chosen to work with a professional coach..
Many previously isolated Senior Sages that we interviewed have found that their civic engagements pulled them back into the world. This ultimately may be the greatest benefit that is derived from civic engagement. Rather than their volunteer work being regarded as a source of tension or sacrifice, these Senior Sages discoverer that civic work can integrate very nicely with family and recreational interests. This insight can often be effective delivered by a professional coach who serves as a Re-engagement Coach.
The first step out of withdrawal and isolation is often the most difficult. This why a Re-engagement coach can be of great value. However, once engaged in the community these seniors often acquire new energy and renewed purpose. And they gain a real sense of balance in their lives. Further, Senior Sages in Grass Valley and Nevada City often indicated during their interview that they feel better after providing community service (physical benefits) and feel intellectually stimulated (mental benefits). In addition, they benefit greatly from the camaraderie of their fellow Sage leaders (interpersonal benefits). Put simply, Senior Sages find that civic work feeds not only their spirit but also their entire being. What better way for re-engagement coaches to market their services!
Generativity or Stagnation?
We conclude this essay and our exploration of civic engagement and the relationship between professional coaching and generativity four by turning once again to Erik Erikson. We focus again on the fundamental choice that Erikson (1963) first identified when describing the stages of adult development: generativity or stagnation? Virtually all of our Emerging and Senior Sages know persons in the community who possess sage leadership qualities but are far removed from being civically engaged. During their interviews, these Sage leaders describe these reticent leaders as affable, generous, and knowledgeable.
The Sages describe their positive characteristics with frustration in their voice—for they are unsuccessful in motivating these potential community activists and leaders: “So why can’t I get them involved? Why don’t they readily recognize the personal benefits that can come from civic engagement? Why don’t they perk-up when I say that my soul is being fed by the volunteer work that I am doing? I care about these people and know that civic engagement can offer a wonderful path to renewed physical, mental and even spiritual health.” Sages wish they had answers to these questions and speculate about possible reasons for non-engagement.
