Patina - The Wisdom of Age

I recently read an article about aging and patina. Like the author, I too love patina – on cars, on works of art, on antiques.  The author shared that with exposure to all kind of elements, stresses  and time, items are forever changed for the better.  They become more beautiful as they age and increase in value.  If you are a collector, the best reason to look for patina is that it is a sign that an antique is genuine. An antique that has an even patina over its surface suggests that it has been left to develop over decades. I think humans develop a form a patina as they age as well, becoming more beautiful and valuable. 

In the collector world, patina has come to be universally appreciated signifying time and the ability of something to endure, to stand strong throughout all the tests.  And while we can find all kinds of artificially applied patina, there is no substitute for the real things.  If an article is described as having a “fine patina” it’s a compliment.  And if something is said to lack patina it usually means the item lacks character.   When it comes to people, the patina of age is not appreciated in the same way.

Seems we often prefer new and shiny things.  We are drawn to the promise they seem to present and often miss the experience that comes with time and a little bit of personal patina.  Wisdom, skills, experience honed over time might not shine in the same way, but there is unquestionable resilience after decades of facing the elements.  Our business community and organizations need things that shine and those with patina to face the daily challenges and become the best they can be.

Through our legacy program Silver Seals, we are supporting professionals over the age of 50, with decades of experience, deep institutional knowledge, and a bit of patina, break free from the expectation that a career comes with an expiry date.  Imagine what might happen in your organization, if you took the energy, ambition and shine of youth and thoughtfully blended it with the patina and seasoned experience of age.