Allow experience not age to take the lead
Most Sri Lankan leaders especially in the public sector have a
misconception that an old person is wiser than a young person. What is
experience? Different people have experience in different fields. The
fact remains that everyone who lives has 'life experience', so it means
nothing.
Just because you experience an event doesn't mean you learned the
necessary lessons. Employers also value experience because of the costs
associated with training and also the productivity levels of experienced
employees versus those with no experience. Experience is used as a
general indicator of one's ability.
We come across brilliant young guys with more experience than a
person who is much older. It's the outcome of experience that is of
value. It's ability; thinking and application. Thinking - to decide
acutely and application - to execute effectively. These are two primary
actions that ensure targeted delivery of outcome.
Age
Wisdom comes from intelligence. Age and experience alone will not
produce wisdom, as the saying goes 'Some people never learn'.
One of the best things I ever learned was to admit to myself that I
was wrong about things in life that I thought I had a handle on, then I
became wiser. Part of becoming wise is to readjust our thinking based on
experience. I come across many with age who don't have a drop of wisdom.
On the other hand, some gain wisdom from experience but many continue
to make the same mistakes. There is a small group of people who have
wisdom because they learned from their experience and this needs time
which is age.
There are different types of people. Some like to read the plaques at
a museum. Some want to understand about a particular subject in depth,
or really know what's going on in the world. Others like to get wasted
and party all the time and think books are only useful if the toilet
paper is gone.
Ability
When an employer posts an advertisement saying a certain amount of
experience is necessary, what they are really saying is a) they want to
be sure they get applicants who know what they are doing, b) they do not
want to spend excessive money on training, or c) they want applicants
who have already made their 'beginners mistakes'.
If you can address these concerns without having the practical
experience the company may be looking for, you have just as good, if not
better, chance at competing with applicants who have the experience. In
addition, never underestimate your own abilities.
Ability, not experience, is what employers are really looking for.
Experience just happens to be an excellent indicator of one's ability.
Convince the employer of your ability, and your lack of practical
experience will not be a handicap.
Every great person in any field had to start somewhere without
experience. The world is full of exceptionally talented and gifted
people who will remain undiscovered because of their self-imposed
limitations due to inexperience.
Do not be one of those people. Gain either the traditional or
creative experience needed to enhance your abilities and be the best you
can be. Our leaders should take the effort to correctly asses and trust
the abilities of the younger generation to grow faster. |