Let's put aside Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre's waffling last summer...

"I'm back - no I'm not - yes I am"

Regardless of his wishy-washyness, one could say that this was his best year ever!  His numbers show it (33TD's, 7 INT's before the NFC Championship Game) and the success of his team shows it.

and he is 40 years old.

40!

When it comes to NFL QB's,  very few can play at a sustained level at that age.  The game has become too quick and too fast. Most NFL QB's peak between 28-33, and are holding a clipboard by the time they are 35.

Case in point.  Mark Brunell, who will turn 40 later this year, was a very good quarterback with the Jacksonville Jaguars about 10 years ago.  Today, he is a back-up with the New Orleans Saints, and the only action he saw yesterday was as the holder on the game winning kick.

Is there an age in the business world where we are not as good as we used to be?  Is there an age in leadership when we are past our prime?

In my mind, no!  True leaders can lead as long as they want (as long as they are doing it right).

Age should not matter when it comes to leadership.  There are laws out there such as the ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act) that protect employees over the age of 40.  But just because you can work in the U.S as long as you want doesn't mean you should be LEADING others.

The economy has not helped.  There are many baby boomers who were looking forward to retiring, and now plan on staying in their jobs for another 5-7-10+ years.  A problem only exists if they are bad leaders.  Some leaders, especially those in local government, have been leading the wrong way for so long that they do not know any other way.

Some might say that today's workplace is too quick and too fast for some employees (see NFL reference above), and that they should pass leadership down to others.

This is a very touchy subject.  Organizations have leaders (managers/bosses/supervisors) who have been with them for 25+ years.  The good ones need to stay.  The bad ones need to go - and I don't mean fired!  I am talking about giving some of their responsibilities to those in the leadership pipeline who deserve a chance and are just waiting patiently.

Maybe that's just the point.  True leaders don't have to wait for anyone to begin to lead.  

Leaders, the time is now.  Your  department needs you, your organization needs you, and your community needs you.

If you think your current leader is not leading as they should, then get in there and start leading.  There is no better time than the present! The only thing that matters is your leadership style...and if your leadership style stinks, it does not matter how old you are.

Good job, Brett...