This past week, I wrote the following articles on the value of experienced leadership:

• Elite by Choice: 5 Mindsets That Separate the Great from the Good
• The Most Important Thing Experienced Leaders Bring (and Your Organization’s Future Depends On It)

The following story continues that trend:

A 74-Year-Old College Graduate

There’s a saying that goes, “You’re only as old as you feel.”  But for Michael Kent Jones of Boise, Idaho, that saying is not just a cliché — it is a life philosophy.

Per this article, At 74 years old (make that young), Jones recently graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law, becoming, in his words, “the oldest man to graduate from law school in all of United States history.”  In a world where people often start coasting by mid-career, Michael Kent Jones just hit the gas pedal.  This is not just a story about one man getting a degree — it is a leadership masterclass and testimonial to lifelong learning, purpose, and the relentless pursuit of growth.

“You’re never too old to go to school, no matter how old you are, no matter what your background is,” Jones said “Nothing’s beyond anyone’s reach that’s determined.”

That quote could hang on the wall of every boardroom, classroom, and locker room in the country.

3 Leadership Lessons

Leaders, growth is not optional.  It is essential.  When you stop learning, you stop leading.

One of the key traits of elite performers — whether in athletics, business, faith, or life — is that they are perpetual learners.  The best never believe they have arrived.  They do not let age, titles, or accomplishments keep them from becoming better.

1. Continual Learners Have A Higher Purpose

Michael Kent Jones is not going to law school just for the diploma.  He took the bar exam in February and plans to practice law, focusing on criminal work, civil rights, and animal abuse.  He is not doing it for the money either saying, “I don’t need money, so that’s not going to really motivate me.  But to see that justice and truth actually come to fruition in the United States.”

That’s what elite leaders do — they align their calling with a cause greater than themselves.

2. Continual Learners Ask “What’s Next?”

Jones is not just a graduate.  He is a living, breathing reminder that your mission is always ahead of you — not behind.  As leaders, we need to stop asking, “When can I retire?” and start asking, “What else can I learn?  Who else can I serve?”

3. Continual Learners Have An Elite Mindset

Whether you’re 24 or 74, there is still more in you.  This is the mindset that separates the great from the good.  The average person is addicted to comfort and lets it dictate their direction.  The elite let purpose guide them.

Conclusion

So today, I challenge you — what is your version of law school at 74?  What goal have you shelved because you thought the season had passed?  If Michael Kent Jones can walk across a graduation stage at 74, fueled by passion and purpose, then maybe you and I have a little more in the tank than we thought.

Keep growing.  Keep learning.  The best is still ahead.

Brand New Free Resource

Adam Grant wrote in his book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, “The goal isn’t to be the smartest person in the room; it’s to make the entire room smarter.”

Making the entire room smarter is a noble endeavor for any leader. Using the profile of the smartest person author and leadership expert I know, the following resource will equip you to help those you influence get smarter and more effective in everything they do.

Click HERE or on the image provided to receive my complimentary resource 8 Signs You’re The Smartest Person In The Room Checklist.

Now a special request – this was produced with the help of one of my content development partners.  If you see any ads that appear which may interest you, please click the links.  By doing so, you ensure we will be able to produce more value-add resources in the future.  Thank you!