Evolution
Grandmother Effect
The evolutionary advantage of post-reproductive survival, where older individuals contribute to fitness by helping descendants rather than producing more offspring.
Biological Context
Human and orca grandmothers live decades past menopause. Their knowledge and help improve grandchild survival. The grandmother hypothesis explains why selection favored longevity beyond reproduction in some social species.
Business Application
Organizational grandmother effect: senior employees and advisors who no longer execute but whose accumulated wisdom improves organizational outcomes. Valuing experience means creating roles for this contribution.