#(Un)wise
I’ve always been fascinated by the power and productive friction between generations.
In my thirties, I was convinced I knew better than my boss at that time. I challenged decisions, pushed for change, and sometimes felt slowed down by experience and caution. Now, as a fifty-something, I find myself both energised by the perspectives of the twenty-, thirty- and forty-somethings I work with — and occasionally annoyed, catching myself thinking or saying things I once resisted so strongly.
Age and experience do change you. They make me milder, perhaps more realistic, and definitely more aware of consequences. As a student, I iceskated long distances without fear. These past winters, I’ve stepped onto the ice more hesitantly, aware of the consequences of falling hard. In my work, I now explore more perspectives before making decisions, while also recognising patterns in organisational dynamics much faster because I’ve seen so many before. But I’m not sure age automatically makes us wiser.
In hindsight, I appreciate the power of leadership to use that intergenerational friction even more. Creating space while also giving perspective and using the wisdom of every age. That’s what allowed us to move forward; not despite our differences, but because of them.
This is exactly why I’m very excited that we’re leading the next chapter of Nudge: building intergenerational coalitions to innovate and amplify impact on the big challenges of our time, like Food and Fashion. Building on Nudge’s 15-year legacy of inspiring 1300 impact-driven talents all over the world, we can’t wait to see what happens when we bring this Innovation Movement to the next level.
We already started integrating intergenerational work in online workshops and in person at the Impact Fair in Utrecht last month. It was amazing to see that when different generations connect, and challenge each other constructively, something shifts: in energy, in perspective, and in what becomes possible together.
It’s not about knowing better at any age. It’s finding the strengths of different ages to make things happen.
Are you (un)wise enough to join us? Whether you’re twenty, fifty, or somewhere gloriously in between, if something stirred while reading this, that’s probably your sign.
Time-travel with us tomorrow (13th of May 2026): Sign up for NudgeNow: Future Design for a future-proof coffee value chain. Or simply curious? Contact the most (un)wise of all annemarie@better-future.com 😉
Intergenerational learning: exchanges between young and old | Jurriën Mentink | TEDxAmsterdamED
In many university towns, there is a shortage of affordable student housing. In those same towns, elderly people often live in isolation in nursing homes, where learning ceases. What happens when you try to solve multiple social issues with one solution?
Book ‘The Good Ancestor How to Think Long Term in a Short-Term World’ – by Roman Krznaric
Close your eyes, and imagine. First, in the center, a small circle. It is us, the 8 billion people alive today. Then place another circle below the first, about ten times larger. It is the people, 100 billion, who lived in the past 50,000 years. Lastly, place one more circle above the first circle, about a thousand times larger. It is the people, 7 trillion, who will be born in the next 50,000 years.
Social philosopher Roman Krznaric beautifully illustrated these circles in his book, The Good Ancestor. Its core question, “How can we become good ancestors?”, is exactly what people living today should ask themselves.
How do you convince people you aren’t a witch if you travel back in time, and where can you actually find something decent to eat when you’re there?
