By Margaret Szabo, NS GovLab Fellow
We all face challenge at work. In my case, I am tasked daily to come up with new and real solutions that help older adults to continue to live meaningful and purposeful lives. In short, I am a professional Business Developer, whose work focuses on innovation for an aging population. It is exciting work and I know that every day matters. I also know that I am looking at my own future, the future of my province and the well-being of people that I care deeply about. This is personal.
Yet, on some level, despite my education and experience, I want to live in a magical, mystical world where good people make great things happen and complex problems are neatly cleaned up in the time it takes to wrap up a TV show. I am certain that everyone is beautiful in my imagination… and no one ever grows old, especially me.
So, as I enter middle age, I find myself increasingly pondering my acceptance of the superficial stereotypes that I unconsciously adopt about aging and innovation. I know there are no quick fixes. Real solutions come from bringing together normal people who are open to learning from each other. My faith in the wisdom and courage of people and community grows every day. I find myself attuned to the muscle of storytelling and the universal language of art. I understand why J.K. Rowling gave Harry Potter love as the greatest magical power.
I am lucky to be a citizen of Nova Scotia. Our province is recognized as a world leader for its efforts to positively shift public perceptions around aging. How we choose to perceive this silver tsunami, as it is frequently described, will define our collective future, here and across the world, where similar demographic shifts are in progress. Ageism is a major barrier to healthy, active living for older adults that threatens their ability to age in place and stay connected to community. While issues around aging are complex and interrelated, there is great reason for hope if we can shift our thinking to value, promote and support older adults and their contributions in all their diversity.
When I first learned of NS GovLab, I was so excited to see government embrace social innovation to positively approach our shifting demographic. Social innovation is so much more helpful than traditional planning when you are dealing with the complex, knotty issues that plague many older adults. As a self-titled community change-maker, I understood the theory and power of design thinking. I was also well aware of the importance of reflection and energy to stay motivated and fresh. Yet, as a leader seeking to help teams develop innovative ways to navigate seemingly insurmountable challenges, I admit, it has often been stereotypes that have held us back.
So how has NS GovLab helped me break through stereotypes and reach out to new possibilities? As always, it is about the people. Together as fellows, we have explored new ways of thinking that have pushed us toward more open ended inquiry. It has been tough — nothing worthwhile isn’t.
The Co-Creation Team have nudged us forward, carefully protecting our discovery process so that we both gain knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of innovation. And slowly, we have started listening to the whisper of something truly moving, so richly patterned and so alive. It is the voice of older adults who, each in their own unique way, have fallen in love with their community. Investing personal resources and energy, these older adults are quietly building an inspiring legacy where everyone has value and worth. Their stories have changed us and we are committed to learn more. As our most wise fellow, who also happens to be 85, keeps reminding us, “What is the real problem here and who is it that has the problem?”
So, it seems that far removed from the pages of a glossy magazine that feeds an obsession with youth, I am finding diverse perspectives bring a welcoming sense of calm. We belong together as an intergenerational community. It seems that the pathway to innovation is really more about faith in ourselves and each other.
As I bring the skills and resources from NS GovLab back to my own community, I feel the strength of a social innovation community of practice behind me. These very special fellows, all community influencers in their own right, offer me tangible and emotional support that strengthens my resolve. This awesome network of people have opened new and important doors for me to explore both personally and professionally. The ripple effects have exceeded my wildest imagination and we have just begun! NS GovLab is the real thing, here, in my community. I am so thankful to be here!
Keep up-to-date on Medium and on Twitter (@NSGovLab).
One of Margaret’s main aspirations is to live a meaningful life, which includes the ability to engage in diverse, positive relationships that result in value for her community. She is a big-picture thinker, intrinsically motivated and is a strong communicator.
