While businesses should look for more than one trait, "going young" with a new executive could be a way to infuse new energy and connect with the current market.
However, more important than simply picking someone young is finding the candidate who has the right CEO experience and solid business principles.
CNN recently featured an article examining how good behavior can be fostered in children, which might in turn lead to better performance later on in life. Some children have even started their own companies and online-based businesses.
The story quotes from Cameron Herold, a "business mentor" who says that performance can be fostered at an early age, partly by encouraging children to accept their failures as well as their successes.
To some extent, this can be seen in the stereotypical figure of the young CEO. But it's not just about age: It's about whether your potential CEO has the drive to lead.
NPR recently examined this issue, looking at specifically the role that youth plays in innovation. It features comments from researcher Daron Acemoglu, who pointed out why younger CEOs might be more willing to experiment when it comes to a business.
"If you are a young manager, you come without that vested interest, without that baggage, so you're going to be much more radical in thinking about saying: Let's ax this brand, let's forget about this technology," he said. "Let's make a switch to this new way of doing things."
This isn't the only type of young CEO out there. You can use the help of an executive recruiter to find a young CEO who meets your organization's needs.
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