Elders Don't Always Know Best

Usually I tell young professionals to respect their elders, because I don’t see enough of that behavior these days.  

The danger of this advice, however, is that young professionals sometimes take it too far. They seek out older professors, experts and mentors in their field and listen blindly regardless of whether or not the information is valid or the source is truly qualified to give it. As a result, they can be steered down a path that is detrimental to their career progress.

Just because someone has been in a field for a long time does not mean she is necessarily good at what she does and/or that her experiences will be 100 percent relevant to your own.  People stay in and even succeed in careers for a variety of reasons; and frankly, true skill may not be a factor. Also, the judgment of some older individuals is so clouded by their own experiences that they can’t help insisting that you follow their actions and trajectory to the letter.

Case in point

I recently overheard a 55-year-old Fortune 500 female executive advising a 22-year-old college graduate to engage in hardball strategies to break through the glass ceiling at her consulting firm. These strategies didn’t suit the grad’s personality and might be perceived as over-aggressive and unnecessary in today’s corporate culture of greater gender equality.

It’s a good idea to talk to older professionals; and yes, you can learn a tremendous amount from them.  But instead of acting on information right away, please take the time to filter it and deem it appropriate for your situation. 

Comments

[Stanley Lee]

I'm finally glad someone is taking a stand of advising young professionals to take advices from elders (often perceived as the powerful, respected, and even worshipped wisdom) with a serious grain of salt. Thanks Alex!

[Judy Martin]

I agree Alexandra. There are new variables at work in the dynamic between a boomer and a gen y for example. Through their individual lens there is sometimes a disparate vision of the way one works and their definition of success.

Always best to trust that inner gut. Hard when one is just entering the workforce, but it's a brand new world out there and while I'm all for mentoring - I think it's much more important to trust your inner guidance.

[balita]

There is an interesting conversation between friends of Job in the Book of Job (the Bible). The youngest friend of Job reprimanded the older ones for knowing too little about life.

[Alexandra Levit]

@Balita: Yes! So much wisdom goes back to the Bible, doesn't it?

@Judy: I agree. Looking to your gut goes a long way in terms of filtering what advice should be taken and what should best be left on the side of the road.

@Stanley: You're so welcome and thanks for reading and commenting!