Retirement is not Part of my Leadership Strategy

Retirement is not Part of my Leadership Strategy

Retirement is not part of my leadership strategy. When my friends, Jim and Martha Bragenberg, of  iWork4Him asked to interview me about retirement, I quickly replied, “Thanks, but no thanks! I’m not your person!”

Jim was surprised that I would refuse an opportunity to get airtime.  He wanted to know more.

“Jim, I don’t think retirement is Biblical. God’s call on your life never retires. The paycheck may quit, but our purpose never goes away.”

Through the phone lines, I sensed Jim smile while he said, “That’s exactly why we want to talk to you, Danita!”

His challenge made me stop and think.

I began exploring the origins of retirement. I learn about Social Security, the Industrial Revolution, and how society promotes working hard and then quitting.

This belief often leaves people without purpose.

I recalled advice from a speaking/writing mentor about the “Moses Speaking Strategy”- only talk about what you have the Lord speak to you about.

So, instead of clever notes, I decided to speak from my heart. I discussed prayer, trusting God with big dreams, and why older people are vital to the next generation.

This isn’t about never resting. It’s about refusing to become silent and unimportant. 🤔What if aging isn’t the end? 🤔What if it’s your greatest season of influence that comes after the paycheck stops?

IMPORTANT: These are my interview planning notes. Rarely, if ever, does the interview follow this path 🙂  However, I thought you might enjoy a sneak peek into my planning and preparation.

FYI – here’s the live interview:

Note: You can read a transcript of the interview HERE.

Another article in this series you may want to read: How to Use the Power of the Moses Speaking Leadership Strategy

Retirement Interview Planning Notes 

Section 1: The Danger and the Trifecta

Jim: Danita, you say, “Traditional retirement is dangerous in this epoch moment because it silences our sages, benches our mentors, and vacates the gates of influence — just when the world most needs wisdom, courage, and truth.” You’ve even said the church’s view on retirement is terrifying. That’s a strong statement. Why?

Danita: Jim, you said it so well  – Traditional, western-style retirement silences our spiritual sages and benches spiritually mature mentors—just when the world desperately needs God’s wisdom, courage, and truth.

Just as the world speeds up, we’re telling our elders to slow down.

Danger and Disaster await… unless we, as spiritual leaders, realize we are strategically born for this time, this moment in history. Scripture calls for us to… Be engaged. Be Intentional. Be Strategic.

Jim, I do want to clarify – it was Elon Musk who used the word “terrifying.” I said “dangerous.”

When he introduced Grok 4, he said it was:

• “Smarter than almost all graduate students in all disciplines,”
• “Performing at a PhD level across the board,”
  and he used words like “terrifying” and “unnerving.”

This is science fiction becoming reality.

This massive compilation of knowledge (that’s growing exponentially) is restructuring reality —

• how we work,
• how we think, and
• how our culture defines what’s good, what’s beautiful, and what’s true.

And here’s what’s dangerous, Jim – just as the world speeds up, we are telling our spiritual elders to slow down, relax, take it easy.

We are silencing our spiritual sages at the very moment when the world needs God’s wisdom!

Jim: Tell me what you’ve seen that brought you to this conclusion.

Danita: I see three converging forces that make traditional, westernized retirement not just outdated—but dangerous.

• AI Revolution.
• Retirement Myth.
• Crisis of Purpose.

The AI Revolution

AI is accelerating faster than anyone imagined. President Trump just announced America’s AI Action Plan. He said these scientific and technical breakthroughs will:

• Reshape the global balance of power,
• Spark entirely new industries,
• Revolutionize the way we live and work.

That’s not science fiction. That’s our present reality.

AI will touch everything—from education to ethics, from business to belief systems.

Where are the wise leaders?

The Retirement Myth

Millions of Boomers (according to some of your work, Jim,) believe what we’ve been told:
“You’ve earned it. You’ve punched the clock one too many times. Now it’s your time. Relax and enjoy the rest of your life.”

Problem: That’s like saying, “Hang up your cleats, put your wisdom on the shelf, and coast.”

But the game isn’t over. The world still needs you on the field. It’s like boarding up the lighthouse just as the storm hits.

Experts say every 500 years there’s a massive shift that changes how we live. Think of the Industrial Revolution. We’re overdue…and this is a big one! This is one of those shifts. This is an EPOCH moment. An Era of Exponential Growth.

… and we’re hanging up our cleats?

🤔What if… everything you’ve learned and experienced was gifted to you so that you could mentor young leaders in this EPOCH time of history?

The Crisis of Purpose

• One-third of recent retirees say they struggle with meaning.
• Gallup says more than half of Millennials and Gen Z feel their work isn’t meaningful.
• Check the headlines – Loneliness and depression are rising everywhere.

When spiritual leaders disconnect, the next generation loses its anchor for godly wisdom, courage, and truth.

These three forces make traditional, westernized retirement not just outdated—but dangerous.

Here’s my question – 🤔What if… this is the very season we were born for?

Jim: Was this something you observed 20 years ago, or is it based on current trends?

Danita: I’ve loved technology since I was a teenager. I’m a huge Star Trek fan—but I never expected to live Star Trek in my lifetime!

12 Years ago, the Holy Spirit challenged me personally. I’m hosting my friend, Chilwa, a government leader from Tanzania who has recently come to Christ. I took her to meet my spiritual mentor, Priscilla, at one of the nicest retirement communities in the Twin Cities. As we step into that gleaming building, I notice tears sliding down Chilwa’s cheeks. I panicked. What’s wrong?

Then she whispers words that still haunt me: “It’s so sad what you do with your elderly.”

I’m stunned. The place was beautiful: clean, fresh flowers, filled with dignified ministry leaders from around the world.

She continues: “In our country, caring for the elderly is one of our greatest honors. The reward you receive is their wisdom.”

That moment rattled me. What are the consequences of silencing the very leaders we should be listening to?

🤔What if…. they have the exact Wisdom, Insight, Knowledge, and Discernment, The W.I.N.D., needed to navigate this crazy world of AI, Digitization, and Transhumanism…lies with our spiritual elders? So what happens when sages are silent? Let’s talk about the consequences.

Segment 2 – The Consequences (Wisdom Loss and Biblical Perspective)

Jim: What are the wide-ranging consequences of traditional retirement?

Danita: The greatest consequence? We are silencing our spiritual sages—right when the world is starving for wisdom.

It’s a tragic loss of wisdom…with dangerous consequences.

Now, some might say, “Danita, aren’t you being a little dramatic?” I’m not the only one raising the alarm.

AI expert, Suleyman, in his book, The Coming Wave, says, “This coming wave of technology is bringing human history to a turning point. The consequences for our species are dramatic—potentially dire.”

In the middle of a historical EPOCH that happens every 500 years, in the middle of a global, ethical, and spiritual crisis….We’re hanging up our cleats.

When this season demands unprecedented levels of godly Wisdom, Insight, Knowledge, and Discernment. We’re hanging up our cleats. And it’s not Biblical to hang up our cleats.

Think of Moses. Joshua. Abraham. Paul. They finished strong.

They didn’t quit at 65.

Let’s embrace Hebrews 12:1 – Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

🤔What if…

🤔What if the next great awakening doesn’t come from the young and restless, but from the spiritual leaders, who may be elderly (over 65) and engaged?

🤔What if aging isn’t decline, but a divine assignment?

Jim: How did you first speak to your older self about retirement when you were an up-and-coming exec?

Danita: Three things shaped me.

First, as a Xerox sales executive in my 20s, the Holy Spirit kept whispering Psalm 90:12 to me: ‘Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.’ It was quite irritating.

While many peers were achieving the American Dream, along with early retirement, I was having to “number my days” – to think intentionally and strategically about my life spiritually. Relationally. Physically. Intellectually. Financial. I still have this verse hanging by my computer as a reminder.

Secondly, my Grandparents. In small-town North Dakota, they lived vibrant, purposeful lives right to the end. They made purpose look like breathing.

Thirdly, my parents. Founders of The Triple T Ranch.  They model gratitude and keep pouring into the next generation.

Jim: What would you say to your younger self today about retirement?

Danita: I’d say this: Don’t aim for retirement. Aim for Kingdom impact. Aim to make a positive impact.

In Millennials Matter, I talk about one of my favorite questions, the Catalyst Question:
“What might I do to make a positive impact?”

I love this question – it inspires action. It calls us to be engaged. To consider our “strategic reason for living in this time in history” — and then go after it. To make a positive impact, no matter where we’re at, no matter what challenge we’re dealing with.

Retirement is not the goal. Impact is. God can do powerful things through you — at any age.

When you humbly listen and courageously obey, you will live a Fruitful life.

Jim: What is it you want this audience to hear so you can save them from these terrifying consequences?

Danita: Three ideas –

• Stay engaged.
• Be intentional.
• Be strategic.

I’ll share with you some of the ways that God is challenging me to grow in these areas:

Stay engaged with prayer –  The Main Business

My friend, Jim Garlow, recommends a book that he said changed his life. Quite a recommendation – Destined for the Throne. I’m floored – listen to these quotes from spiritual giants who have gone before us:
John Wesley said, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.”
E.M. Bounds said, “Prayer should be the main business of our day.”

I had to ask myself – If I really believed that, how would I approach my work on the State Board, our new school, my writing, my grandchildren?

🤔What if…I really believed that God does nothing…until I pray?

• How might this change how I approach grandparenting?
• Serving on the ND SBHE?
• Launching a new classical Christian school?
• Writing my new book, The Character Mandate?

🤔What if…. I really believed that prayer should be the main focus of the day. Not my ToDo List?

🤔What if…prayer is one of the ways we lead, when the world wants to silence us and bench us?

🤔What if…prayer is THE WAY we stay engaged? Be intentional? Be Strategic?

Prayer isn’t a side activity. Prayer is the main business.

So how do we stay engaged? Let me share two other ways God is leading me.

Segment 3 – Stay engaged. Be intentional. Be strategic.

Jim: Danita, what are some other areas where you believe the Holy Spirit is encouraging you?

Danita: God of the Impossible.  The Holy Spirit first introduced me to the ‘God of the Impossible’ when I was 14. I was the only teenager in an adult Bible study. We were studying Mark 10. We had some great discussion…and completely skipped Mark 10:27: “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

As a 14-year-old teenager would do in an adult Bible study, I raised my hand and said, “This verse is amazing! Look – “…all things are possible with God.”

The pastor looked at me, locked eyes with me, and said, “It says that…but it doesn’t really mean that.”

A defining moment. Whose words would I believe? Man’s or God’s?

I keep this question taped to my computer:
“What’s impossible, but when God is involved, is possible?”

Our culture says impact ends at 65.
I believe your most strategic season may just begin after 65.

It may seem impossible.  With God involved, it’s possible.

• Be Engaged.
• Be intentional.
• Be Strategic.

Be Strategic – what does that mean? For me, it means considering what is “precious”?

A spiritual father said to me: “The challenge of life isn’t choosing between good and bad. It’s extracting the precious from the merely good.”

So, I’m asking: What is precious in this season for me? for you?

I’m writing a book called Character Mandate: Will we lead AI, or will AI lead us?

I’m passionate about this project because no matter how advanced technology becomes, it will never replace godly character.

Algorithms don’t build virtue. Code doesn’t produce courage. We need elders who will shape character for an AI age.

However, keep asking the Holy Spirit…is this precious?  There are so many interesting things to focus on. So much on my To-Do List. So many people and things pulling for my attention. Is this what’s Precious to you, Lord?

I want to be engaged. To be intentional. To be strategic.

Strategic – one of the most strategic roles and responsibilities we have is Grandparenting!

One thing is always precious: grandparenting. Grandparenting isn’t just love; it’s leadership. It’s a high, holy calling to help raise the next generation of God’s leaders.

🤔What if… the next Great Awakening comes not from the young and restless, but from the elderly and engaged?

🤔What if… your most strategic season begins the day your paycheck stops?

🤔What if …you were strategically born for this moment in history?

Segment 4 – Closing

Danita: Jim, you opened by Traditional, western-style retirement silences our spiritual sages and benches spiritually mature mentors—just when the world needs God’s wisdom, courage, and truth the most.

Just as the world speeds up, we’re telling our elders to slow down.

Disaster awaits… unless we, as spiritual leaders, realize we are strategically born for this time, this moment in history.

My prayer is that today, people will walk away with a new vision to rise and take their place as Spiritual Sages and Mature, God-fearing Mentors during this EPOCH time in history.

• Stay engaged.
• Be intentional.
• Be strategic.

God’s call on your life never retires.

P.S. Here are 10 more “What if…” questions for us to consider. 

🤔  What if … your life experience was meant to help young leaders right now?

🤔What if this season of life is exactly why you were born?

🤔What if the next big move of God comes from older people who stay engaged?

🤔What if getting older is not a slow fade, but a new calling?

🤔What if prayer became the most important thing on your to-do list?

🤔What if prayer is how we lead when others want to bench us?

🤔What if your greatest season starts the day the paycheck stops?

🤔What if God does nothing until you pray? How would that change things?

🤔What if the wisdom we need for this AI world is in our elders?

🤔What if you were born to live in this exact moment in history?

© Copyright, Danita Bye 2025.

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