I recently watched Federer: Twelve Final Days (on Prime Video). I don’t follow tennis, but I could empathize with Federer’s decision to retire from the sport – and the feelings of grief that the documentary captured so well. Federer decided to retire at the age of 41, which was the age I retired at. While I knew about his impressive achievements, I didn’t know about the three surgeries he had on his right knee that contributed to his decision to leave the sport. After finishing the film, I asked myself what many viewers likely asked, “What is he up to now?” Reading this article put a smile on my face. Here is a sports icon, unable to competitively play the sport he loves, making a pivot with the second half of his life — towards family, creativity, and philanthropy. By all accounts, Federer is thriving in his 40s.
Federer’s story reminds me of an idea that I came across in Arthur C. Brooks’ Strength to Strength: crystallized intelligence. I believe Federer is thriving largely because he has successfully transitioned away from what made him so successful in the first half of his life – fluid intelligence – and towards building crystallized intelligence in his second half. This post covers what is crystallized intelligence, why it has been an important factor for me in my 40s, and what I am doing to improve this type of intelligence in my mini-retirement.
Fluid Intelligence vs. Crystallized Intelligence
This verywellmind article does a great job of defining both terms. Rather than repeat what the article states, I’ll instead use the example of Roger Federer (using what I was able to glean from the documentary).
Federer built fluid intelligence early in life by challenging himself on the tennis court, honing his technique, and getting to know his competitors. In the documentary, he gives a description of using this type of intelligence when he talks about how if his competitor wants to play close to the net, then he’ll play close to the net too – and beat him at his opponent’s own game. His mastery of fluid intelligence is evident as Federer looks back on his career in how quickly he sizes up new competitors (e.g., Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic) and adapts his technique even mid-game to win. He describes the mental challenge of tennis like a game of chess – through which he treats a match like a puzzle to quickly solve.
At the same time as he’s strengthening his fluid intelligence, Federer is also building his crystallized intelligence. He memorizes his games and his opponent’s techniques. He recalls past matches in very specific detail. He recollects his key competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, which he exploits in matches thereafter.
During the painful moments of his life — including three knee surgeries and some key losses — Federer describes how he cannot keep up with the younger, hungrier competitors – a sign of his declining fluid intelligence. But Federer continues to build his crystallized intelligence by getting involved in adjacencies with tennis, such as creating the Laver Cup tennis tournament (2017 when Federer was 35) and signing a $300 million deal with Uniqlo (2018; age 36).
While the depletion of his fluid intelligence is clearly marked by Federer’s retirement – no longer needing to think quickly on his feet or re-invent his technique – there are signs that Federer’s crystallized intelligence is still growing. His wealth continues to grow, his philanthropic impact deepens (e.g., Lesotho), and his social status widens (e.g., Springboks, Coldplay, documentary). This pivot away from fluid towards crystallized resembles the following chart shown in studies on the topic:
Why Crystallized Intelligence is Important to Me
I’m certainly not a sports icon, but I can relate with Federer’s conscious career pivot. I spent two decades developing and leveraging my fluid intelligence in my career in management consulting and corporate America. I solved tough business problems involving multiple stakeholders, conflicting perspectives, and complex data. This required me to think critically, conceptually, and creatively – while partnering with different teams across diverse geographies (from Canada to Norway) to deliver implementable solutions. However, towards my late 30s, I began to slow down in thinking more creatively. I couldn’t rely on my sheer analytical abilities (working alongside whip-smart analysts in their 20s using Power BI and more powerful tools) nor my social skills (working alongside more charismatic Directors and Managers who could inspire their teams).
I worked hard, though, in building my crystallized intelligence during these two decades. I learned new skills such as writing creatively and investing my nest egg – the latter of which enabled me to mini-retire. In my mini retirement, my crystallized intelligence is now in full swing – and I believe points to a career pivot for my next 20 years.
How I Am Improving My Crystallized Intelligence
Swimming with the tide is not only easier but takes you further. Knowing that it is easier for me to reflect on prior learning and connect the dots among my experience / wisdom, I am doing the following to build my crystallized intelligence:
- Read books – I am a voracious reader. Among the two dozen books I read last year were: From Strength to Strength (Brooks), How to Do the Work (LePera), Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Your Life (Hollis), and Pachinko (Lee)
- Learn Thai – I took classes for five months and now practicing Thai conversation regularly using the tips I outline on this post
- Learn new skills – I got PADI open water certified last year. I have been learning how to produce my podcast this year
- Take classes – in addition to Thai classes, I also have taken a number of yoga classes and joined activity-based meetups (e.g., hiking, bouldering, writing)
Summary
I believe key to making the most of my mini retirement is to recognize (and accept) the decline of my fluid intelligence and make the conscious decision to swim with the tide of my crystallized intelligence. As I read books or practice my Thai, I feel a sense of personal growth and accomplishment. It may not be measured with a bigger number on my W2 or a fancier title on my business card – and that’s ok. What I am learning in mini retirement is that my own sense of pride and joy is what really matters – and I feel great.
I hope this post helps you consider ways in which you can leverage the most of your growing crystallized intelligence – so you too can embrace your mid life with pride and joy.
~Lester T