The Greatness Project

Do You Display Neotony?

October 2005

This past week, we had the opportunity to watch a rising corporate leader speak about his business to a group of high-potential employees. As he strode to the front of the group to promote his ideas, he smiled broadly, gestured effusively, and could barely contain the excitement in his voice. The audience was captivated by his content, but mostly by his style; they couldn’t take their eyes off him. A voice behind us said, “he’s just like a little kid with a new toy.” They were absolutely right. The power of his message was enhanced by his excitement and wonder over all the possibilities. These child-like characteristics engaged us and drew us to him. This is one of the qualities we see in great individuals: a childlike wonder, awe, and enthusiasm for the world.

Many of us, as we grew up, were told, “act your age.” Essentially, this meant behaving older than our chronological age, or to be “mature.” But all too often, maturity meant shutting down the excitement of engaging with our world. We still hear excited children being told to use “their inside voice” when they get too loud. Once in the school system, children learn quickly to quench enthusiasm for new ideas out of fear about what other kids will say. When we land our first job, we steel ourselves to look mature and serious so that we will fit in with other employees. We construct a society that represses our joy and enthusiasm for life or work because exuberance seems immature or irrelevant.

Yet when we meet individuals who still have a zest for life, especially in later years, or a passionate love for what they do, we are drawn to them. Borrowing a concept from zoology, this is called neotony, or the retention of youthful characteristics in adulthood. Warren Bennis in his book, Geeks and Geezers, used this concept to describe both new and established leaders and to explain why they are so compelling.

Bennis calls neotony an appropriate metaphor for adults who, through their passion for life, influence others powerfully. These individuals are still capable of wonder and awe. They wake up each day eager to learn, live, and grow. These qualities are still present well into their mature years.

Why are these characteristics so engaging? Why are we drawn to individuals who have them? Too often many of us just seem tired. Whether working, ferrying children to and from activities, or even relaxing, most adults seem to exude exhaustion. We are drawn to those who have energy and excitement. We want to understand what they’re experiencing, although sometimes we simply don’t believe they’re for real and await the façade’s eventual collapse into ruin.

Reengaging our passion – what we love about life – is exhilarating. If we can uncover what we love about our work, we are inspired to create, produce, and perform at a much higher level because it is not “work” but what we love to do. Think about how life would be transformed if we would choose to encounter our world with childlike awe and wonder.

When the executive at the conference finished speaking, he was radiant. He was not tired, but energized by sharing his ideas with the group. The group, in turn, was energized by him. What unleashes our wonder, awe, and excitement? What do we love and how can we regain that lost love?

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