He has Legacy Consciousness. He wants to matter. Manufactured tasks do not satisfy that. He knows the difference between a real request and something invented to keep him busy.
Practical Techniques
Ask What He Values Most
Before suggesting anything, ask what he considers his real contribution. Say: “Which parts of your experience do you think still apply here?” or “What did you get best at over forty years?”
His answer tells you where to look. He knows his strengths better than you do.
Make Real Requests
Ask for help in areas where he actually has knowledge. Say: “Would you be willing to look over this plan? Your experience with that kind of client would catch things I’d miss.”
The request must be genuine. He detects make-work quickly. A real question carries more weight than a formal role that changes nothing.
Set Up a Teaching Situation
Some of his knowledge is hard to find anywhere else. Find one person who would benefit and make the introduction. Say: “There’s someone on the team working through a problem you solved twenty years ago. Would you be open to a conversation with her?”
Teaching satisfies the Legacy Consciousness drive directly.
Why This Works
He wants his experience to keep traveling. When it actually does, the need to push it on others goes down.
Respect His Limits
Watch for signs of tiredness or reluctance. A real contribution happens on his terms.