Honoring The Wisdom Of Our Senior Employees
A large percentage of our current workforce in America will be retiring in the next several years. This will leave a shrunken workforce behind. This will create a drill down ripple effect. Today’s valuable and wise senior workers won’t be there soon and their decisions won’t be here for us. I often hear people say “I never recognized all he did because he made it appear so easily done.”
In their hearts, our retiring leaders mean it when they say “I’ll be here for you whenever you need me.” Yet experience proves that these spirited individuals will use the same brilliance that made them succeed in the first place to create a new life of freedom and adventure.
There’s no time better than the present to capture their wisdom. Sure, you may have had disagreements with them, you may not have made the same choices they made or given up what they gave up, but their depth of knowledge and perspective surpasses anything you will find in a book
These leaders and high achievers have specific experience in your field, with your market, clients, customers, products and services. They’ve seen the trends and lived through up and down markets. All the while they’ve raised children, strived to find balance, contributed to your community and learned from their mistakes.
What is keeping us from seeing their wise-dominion as a benefit?
Ego: I want to forge a new path in my own style! I know I can do it better.” Humility: “Why would he make time for me? He’s a busy, busy man.” Ignorance: She’s got nothing to teach me; things are different now.”
You needn’t emulate these insightful individuals - just learn from their breadth of knowledge and experience. Think of what you might learn from them. Write down three to five questions.
Be patient and specific in requesting a meeting. State what you wish to accomplish and how much time you desire. As an example, your interview could occur on the telephone or at some place? If it’s going to be in-person, do they prefer that you come to their office or meet at a convenient location?
When you create a schedule, do it religiously. Fifteen minute meetings can easily slip into 30-minute conversations. You might find this enjoyable and it might make you disrespect the other person who cut you off.
There is so much wisdom available to you today that simply may not be there tomorrow when your wise, senior employees/leaders retire. Take this week to see what opportunities might be right in front of your face, and then use them. Think also where you might share your wisdom with others. Have a great week and enjoy your discoveries.
For the sake of keeping your career fresh and on track, would you like to enjoy a weekly shot-in-the-arm from Master Certified Coach Ann Golden Eglé? You can sign up for her Success Thought of the Week at http://www.gvsuccess.com
Tags: senior employees, retire