The Tribune

All month long we are required as a nation to celebrate young people who are making positive impacts in their communities. Despite the negativity surrounding Bahamian youth, there are still many who, despite the odds, continue to persevere and make valuable contributions to almost every area of society.

Today, I pause to reflect on how many opportunities we have provided for these young people to make a more significant mark on the land they call home. Like most Bahamians, I celebrated this week the achievements of young people who were honoured at Government House for their contributions in government, the private sector and civil society. Walking the red carpet were accomplished musicians and recording artists, attorneys, visual artists, educators, business owners, journalists and many others, most of whom had acquired this acclaim before age 21.

Because I personally know many of these vibrant youths and their personal stories of success and struggle, I could not help but assess our national approach to youth development and leadership. Truth is, there are countries that are quite deliberate in welcoming youth to the decision-making table, and place no bars or hindrances on their thoughts, ideas and decisions. It is quite common, then, to today attend conferences, even in the region, where 20 year-old college graduates sit as consultants, having been sent by their organisations or serving as independent contributors.

I have written many times about the value of respecting all generations in the workforce, and ensuring that there is a healthy - not forced - succession, responsibly allowing one generation to succeed another. This unfortunately is not a natural occurrence, and must be charted by responsible elders who care enough about country, company, organisation and family to relinquish control and sit in the seat of encourager-advisor.

When, as a matter of policy, we make the decision (without conducting the impact research) to allow an aged workforce to remain ‘in place’, we not only do a disservice to our youth but hamper the progress of the nation, company and family.

The evidence is clear: Two generations ago, our politicians, pastors, civic leaders, community leaders and company leaders were, on average, 20 years younger than they are today. While it is true that healthcare and medical advancements have rendered those aged over 65 years-old more physically, and in some cases mentally, fit today, it does not eliminate the fact that on the sidelines waits a 20 year-old, a 30 year-old, and a 40 year-old, whose ability to take the company to another level far surpasses that of the sitting leader.

As a 20 year-old former principal of a Ministry of Education ‘Grade E’ school some 20 years ago, I learned first-hand that young people can accomplish anything if they are so positioned. As people of faith, perhaps scripture provides us with a rational conclusion to this matter. Typically, when the Bible speaks of vision, the word ‘YOUTH’ is almost simultaneously used. In fact, the scripture is clear that ‘old men’ dream dreams. This is not an indictment on the aged or aging among us, but should serve as a reality check to those who the cap fits.

Our national position in youth development and leadership must shift from merely celebrating the 0.0000002 per cent of those who have excelled (despite our antiquated manner of being), but rather, embrace a system that forces young people to take their rightful role in building a stronger Bahamas through industry, community development and politics. Do your part in beginning the process of mentoring youth, preparing a successor or giving a young person the opportunity and resources to experience the same measure of success you had.

• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.