There is no doubt in my mind that experience is valuable, equally there is no doubt in my mind there can be high value in younger, less experienced, people.

The issue to me is not necessarily one of experience, it is how that experience is translated into benefits for the organisation. For example, there are many mature, experienced employees who bring nothing of value to an organisation; even though they have experience they fail to contribute. Conversely there are many bright young things who are intent to taking all they can grab and giving little in return.

The better senior exec teams are seeking people able to add value through achievement and implementation. They also seek people with a holistic overview on issues rather than a narrow focus and they seek generalists rather than specialists, people able to multi task, move in and out of roles, assume leadership and stand aside for other leaders when the situation changes. The emerging workplace is being modelled on the mindsets of those aged in their 20’s and 30’s.

The challenge for those older workers seeking employment is how to translate their experience into future value. Maybe more importantly their future success may depend on how well they understand the emerging environment, the way younger workers think and approach problems and their ability to blend the old with the new.