From Strength to Strength

“From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life” by Arthur C. Brooks

From time to time I will write about a book I found interesting and fun ... and that you might as well. I recently read both books on a rainy Saturday. I knew Arthur when he ran AEI and I was at GE. I found him to be smart and wise; those features show up in this book.

This book is about finding happiness, success, and purpose in the second half of life. I relate to this journey.

I loved working at GE for 36 years ... the people, the technology, and the purpose. I was proud of our team and the work we did. My career didn’t end the way I wanted. I struggled to reconcile my feelings about what I learned and the decisions I made ... both good and bad ... and some of the people I worked with.

I never planned to “reinvent myself” in my 60’s ... but that is what I have done. In this regard, two of Arthur’s thoughts really hit home:

•  Find your second curve... This is the ability to shift from “Fluid Intelligence (Problem Solving)” to “Crystallized Intelligence (Wisdom).” When you are old you know what facts mean and how to use them. I use this with young leaders and companies. I have seen about everything and I try to bring practical problem solving to the world.
  

• Make your weaknesses your strengths ... I have taught MBAs at Stanford for the last seven years. In addition, I co-founded the management program, Performance Acceleration Journey (PAJ). I have found that students show up for the shine, but stay for the grit. They crave the stories of crisis and problem solving. They want to hear about how leaders grapple with weaknesses.

Brooks ends with the phrase, “The work you do has to be the reward.” My second life has been fun and rewarding. I have kept a lot of my old friends, but have a bunch of new ones. Life isn’t a straight line.