Sally Sixty Something
I made this cartoon for a friend who is struggling to be employed again after being dumped for a younger version of herself after years of loyal, untarnished service.
I don’t care how much training you got in school, what school you went to, how many scholarships and awards you gained, how good your grades were or how handsome/beautiful and sexy you are. NOTHING beats experience.
If you leave your place of business exclusively in the hands of the young, soon you will flounder.
When I was twenty something I thought I knew everything. As a senior, I realize I did not know much at all.
To be a successful company, you need a blend of young and old on your staff. The young can put in the hours, they are keen, they are quick, they know cutting edge technology.
But WISDOM comes from the ones who have been around the block a few times.
Yes, at times you need to move fast, but on those big decisions, you need someone to put on the brakes and think things through.
You also need someone to mentor your young.
Once, when I was only in my early fifties and applying for a job I got this response, that I have heard many times since, which is totally ridiculous “We really want someone with your experience, but we were hoping for someone younger…”
Well, guess what? You can’t have both.
So put away all your youthful boasting and bravado, and allow a senior on your staff. Let him or her work whatever hours they want, and be open to their counsel. It might just save your ass.