“The thing about ageism, is that the group we see as different from ourselves, is our own future selves.” ~Ashton Applewhite
The Unseen Power of Experience in an Ageist Job Market
In today’s fast-paced professional landscape, we’re constantly bombarded with buzzwords: “innovation,” “disruption,” “digital transformation.” These terms often implicitly (and sometimes explicitly) favor youth, suggesting that true agility and forward-thinking only reside in the fresh perspectives of the latest graduates or the “digital native.” This narrative, while alluring, conveniently sidelines a profound truth, fostering an ageist culture that impacts countless talented individuals.
But what if the very qualities being overlooked – the wisdom, the accumulated knowledge, the battle-tested resilience forged over decades of professional life – are precisely what today’s complex challenges demand? What if the “disruptors” are so focused on the new that they’re blind to the enduring, adaptable power inherent in experience?
This is more than just a lament about unfairness; it’s an exploration into the fundamental disconnect between the perceived value of seasoned professionals and the genuine assets they bring to any team or organization. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be diving deeper into how ageism manifests in the job market, why it’s a costly mistake for companies, and, most importantly, how those of us with a wealth of life and career experience are, in fact, developing a new kind of resilience – one that goes truly beyond the buzzwords to reveal a power that’s been hiding in plain sight.
Stay tuned.