Leadership Experience - The baby boomers before day X
What does this mean?
The baby boomer generation has shaped our economy for decades. Now they are retiring - with far-reaching consequences: Valuable knowledge, experience and leadership skills are at risk of being lost. Life and leadership experience, established networks and tacit knowledge cannot be directly replaced by AI or young talent
Why is this important?
- Millions of people are facing "Day X" of their retirement - a turning point for society and companies.
- Companies need to rethink knowledge management and succession planning in order to secure potential.
- At the same time, there is an opportunity to actively involve baby boomers after retirement - e.g. in consulting, voluntary work or supervisory boards.
- It is crucial for future managers to understand how different generations "tick" and how mixed-age teams can be managed successfully.
Current:
At the CompetenceCenter for Leadership Experience at the HWG Ludwigshafen, we have been working intensively on this topic since the winter semester 2025/26. Our approach: students work in research seminars on specific questions that are both scientifically sound and practice-oriented.
Topics studied in the winter semester 25/26:
- Preparing managers for retirement (expectations, fears, measures)
- First experiences of new retirees and the reality of the transition
- Long-term adjustments in retirement: roles, crises, new life concepts
- Company perspective: strategies for securing knowledge and handing over networks
- Markets and opportunities for the placement of C-level executives in (pre-)retirement
- Re-entry and secondary roles (interim, consulting, supervisory boards)
- Social utilization of the potential of C-level retirees
- Legal framework for continuing to work after retirement
- Medical perspective: opportunities and risks of a "full stop"
- Psychological & coaching perspective: support during the transition phase
Outlook:
The first seminars, bachelor's and master's theses are already providing sound insights into a highly topical subject that will have a lasting impact on companies, society and management culture in the coming years.
