The way we think about aging is broken. Jeanette Leardi, social gerontologist and author of Aging Sideways puts it best: “We tend to have blinders on. We think aging is nothing but deterioration and decline, and that’s so limiting.”
Her work invites us to look at aging from a new perspective—not to discard our understanding of it, but much like tilting a canvas to shift it so we see what new possibilities emerge.
Seeing Aging Differently
Leardi’s concept of “aging sideways” comes from a technique in art called upside-down drawing. She explains, “When artists draw a subject upside down, they disengage their brain’s preconceptions and focus on what’s there—the lines, the shapes, the spaces. Aging sideways works the same way. We need to look at aging for what it truly is, not through the lens of stereotypes.”
Aging, Leardi asserts, is more than gray hair or diminished physical abilities. “Our brains change in fascinating ways as we age,” she says. “The corpus callosum thickens, helping us integrate logic and creativity. It’s not about either-or thinking anymore—it’s about being able to see the possibilities in the gray areas.” Research increasingly supports this, showing that the aging brain often excels at making nuanced decisions and synthesizing knowledge from experience.
Breaking the Anti-Aging Cycle
Leardi takes a bold stance against the multi-billion-dollar anti-aging industry. “What message are we sending when even preteens are buying anti-aging creams? Aging isn’t a problem. It’s a reality—and a privilege,” she emphasizes. The narrative that aging is something to fight distorts its value, turning a natural process into a societal stigma.
She dismantles the “silver tsunami” myth, a term often used to describe the aging population as an impending burden. “We’re not a tsunami wiping out resources,” she counters. “We’re a silver reservoir. When you open the gates of a reservoir, it flows into the culture with skills, wisdom, and experience.”
Reframing older generations as contributors instead of liabilities puts you ahead of the current doctrine.
Embracing Intergenerational Exchange
Modern society, Leardi argues, has lost the intergenerational connections that were once essential. “We’ve moved away from the village model where people of all ages lived and learned together. It’s a real loss,” she says. She draws attention to cultures, such as those in First Nations communities, where elders are revered as keepers and transferrers of knowledge.
The workplace, she points out, is one area where this exchange is needed most.
“There’s this false belief that older workers need to step aside for younger ones to move up,” she says. “That’s just not true. Teams that combine the creativity and energy of youth with the foresight and experience of age are the most productive.” The key, of course, isn’t exclusion—it’s collaboration.
The Case for Change
Leardi calls on leaders to rethink how they view aging employees. “Older adults excel in pattern recognition and information discrimination,” she points out. “They spot what’s relevant and make connections others might miss. That’s an incredible asset for any team.” Leardi’s thinking ultimately challenges outdated workplace policies that can sideline older workers in favor of younger ones.
Regarding how older adults perceive themselves, Leardi speaks passionately about fighting internalized ageism: “Don’t sell yourself short. Your experience is an asset, not a liability. Aging isn’t a deficit—it’s a dividend.”
She urges older adults to embrace their personal values and frame their stories on what they’ve gained, not what they’ve lost.
The Age of Age
Leardi views aging as an opportunity rather than a roadblock. Her concept of “aging sideways” encourages us to tilt our perspectives and discover new ways of thinking about this stage of life.
Aging is not about decline—it’s about possibility.
Leardi’s vision calls on individuals and organizations to embrace everyone’s eventual reality. When you see aging as an opportunity for growth, wisdom, and collaboration, you create a future where every stage of life is purposeful and celebrated. Leaders-pay attention!
Watch the full interview with Jeanette Leardi and Dan Pontefract on the Leadership Now program below, or listen to it on your favorite podcast.