Maybe it's time we actually valued wisdom as much as we do disruption.And maybe it's time -- not just maybe, it is timefor us to definitely reclaim the word "elder" and give it a modern twist.The modern elder is as much an intern as they are a mentor,because they realize, in a world that is changing so quickly,their beginners' mind and their catalytic curiosity is a life-affirming elixir,not just for themselves but for everyone around them.Intergenerational improv has been known in music and the arts:think Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga or Wynton Marsalis and the Young Stars of Jazz.This kind of riffing in the business world is often called "mutual mentorship":millennial DQ for Gen X and boomer EQ.I got to experience that kind of intergenerational reciprocity with Laura and our stellar data science teamwhen we were actually remaking and evolving the Airbnb peer-to-peer review system,using Laura's analytical mind and my human-centered intuition.With that perfect alchemy of algorithm and people wisdom,we were able to create and instantaneous feedback loop that helped our hosts better understand the needs of our guests.
