Age discrimination happens everywhere and isn't something you can control.....or can you?
I have a question for you. How old is Yoda? I don't know the answer but I do know when he comes on the screen people cheer. They view this 'being' as a wise advisor who can fight like a badass. If Yoda applied for a job at your company would you hire him? I know I would!
So what has Yoda done that we can all embrace? It's not a Jedi mind trick. He has shown his value and in doing so he's made his age fade into the background.
Becoming Yoda
There are definite pros and cons to every age but I want to remind you of the value you bring to the table. The lists below are taken from my own life and what I have possessed at each of these stages. I'm sharing them not to create more stereotypes but for you to embrace where you are with enthusiasm.
You may be too old to play on the Chick-fil-a playground but that’s about it.
What can an older age bring to the table?
You are more patient than your younger colleagues allowing time for well thought out communication and idea generation.
You have more grit. This naturally occurs over time due to enduring more life experiences (good and bad).
You possess mentoring abilities. This will save your company a fortune in expensive training classes.
You've seen failure and it doesn't scare you as much as your younger counterparts. You've learned from your mistakes and sharing those failures freely will take you to Yoda status.
Unless you are below the legal employment age you cannot use this as an excuse. Youth has it’s advantages and here are a few:
More hours can be dedicated to work. You may be green but you will probably get up to speed faster on tasks because of your ability to put in longer hours.
You grew up with technology, this does help in picking it up faster.
You can typically be road warriors as they aren't tied to family commitments as often.
You are more flexible to change because you have also grown up in an environment of constant change.
I want to leave you with one final thought. Age does not dictate eagerness, ability to learn, energy level, or creativity. You decide all of these things. They are conscious choices and when you decide to embrace them your Yoda shows instead of your age.
