How much of what you do is rooted in the industrial age? Probably a lot more than you think. Don’t worry, my shit stinks too. I was conditioned for the same age as you and I frequently catch myself thinking “this is just how it is” or “this is how it’s done”, with little thought for how it may be done differently today.
If you’re committed to the tried and true, what’s worked for you in the past, all the power to you. As they say, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. But make no mistake about it, the industrial age is passing before our eyes and a new age is taking hold. Call it what you will: digital, information, internet, etc., What ain’t broke may break before long.
To be clear, my message has never been “out with the old, in with the new”. Quite the contrary, I frequently try to remind my audience of historical, sometimes even ancient truth, wisdom, and best practices.
Simply put, the ships are sailing for a new future. So knowing where you are, where you’ve been, and what that future terrain may look like are good things to know! The challenge, should you be willing to take it, is in being clear about where you hope to land, clear about what to pack in your “Noah’s arch of civilization” to keep your compass on point, and what you need to learn to master your ship and keep your sails raised.
I think there is a great demand for our aging generations to teach and share the knowledge they have accumulated through experience. I do recognize a rise in ageism and devaluation of older, more seasoned employees in companies around the world. Replaced by a younger generation to the extent that employees no longer know how their business operates. The latest debacle with the Boeing 737 may prove to be a case-in-point.
That said, listen carefully to generation next, because they are that uncharted terrain.
I wanted to share this clip for two reasons.
1) The question asked by this young man is one I receive frequently: “How do we make senior executives in large corporations understand social media marketing?”
2) Because Dr. Terri-Karelle (Griffith) Reid is an incredible talent!!! So when she becomes an international phenomenon, please remember who called it! Seriously, her intellect is lightning fast and razor sharp! I’m supposed to be the expert here, but her answer is probably better than mine. Watch to the end too because I can’t watch it without busting a gut laughing! I am humbled to have shared the stage with you and hope I get to again because as evidenced in this video, you complete me!!