The job market is not just for young people. Although the global population is aging, the improvement in society's quality of life means that we have more and more active and engaged seniors in their personal routines and even professional ones. The integration of these talents into the corporate environment drives what we call the silver economy, something that, although it is growing increasingly worldwide, still requires greater attention to ensure that this demographic is properly integrated and welcomed into companies.
According to IBGE estimates, the number of elderly people is expected to surpass that of young people by 2031. For the first time in our history, the Aging Index (AI) will be greater than 100, meaning there will be 102.3 elderly people for every 100 young people. This is a direct reflection of the population's active longevity through healthier habits, greater attention to physical health, and medical advances, which also positively impact better mental health, lower medication expenses, and a much more energetic life overall.
Beyond this social and health benefit, the increase in life expectancy is also leading to a greater pursuit by these individuals to stay professionally active – something that is extremely advantageous for companies. After all, what these talents have in abundance is accumulated experience and maturity gained throughout their journey, with greater emotional intelligence in dealing with everyday issues, better understanding of professional relationships, and maintaining them in the long term.
Parallel to this, when a professional has already experienced different economic scenarios, from a booming economy, recession, inflation, deflation, to governments with different positions, all of this makes him develop a better reading of the scenario, analyzing what he has already experienced as a basis for knowing what works or not.
All these attributes are something that no university or master's program teaches, but are built into our professional experience. And that, in fact, is often insufficient for many young talents entering the market, who lack years of experience, as well as the maturity, life experience, and behaviors necessary for a more structured view of various corporate issues.
According to IBGE data, by 2050, Brazil will reach a population of over 40 million people over 60 years old. Instead of distancing them from the market and making them feel useless, involving them in companies by leveraging their experience to adopt more assertive strategies will lead to achievements not only financial but also social, in a way that makes them feel useful and keeps them active in areas they enjoy.
In this adaptation to the corporate routine, however, some precautions need to be taken. In many cases, the arrival of these talents will not have a natural synergy and will require special attention from companies and other members, as obstacles can be created, even by the senior professionals themselves.
There is still a strong belief among many of them that their advanced age will not bring positive achievements for the companies, uncertain that they will be able to contribute to operations and meet the set goals. These concerns can cause them to arrive at the headquarters anxious about their performance, which can be avoided not only through self-understanding and appreciation but also through internal actions taken upon their arrival, encouraging and recognizing their achievements at work.
For the younger professionals, the lack of sensitivity is a significant risk, which will also require companies to take actions that demonstrate the importance of these seniors for business performance and how both can work and learn together. In the end, empathy, effort, and respect from both sides will be necessary for this movement to bear mature fruit for all involved.
A diverse professional environment is not only one that values gender inclusion but also one that internally addresses ageism. Those who learn to deal with heads that think differently and have distinct perspectives, but who, when cared for and valued by everyone, will certainly elevate the achievement of the expected results.
