I had a conversation with a well-respected senior leader over a month ago who was about to depart for a new assignment. He had some personal words of appreciation for what he had seen me do while we served together the past two years. He was grateful for my ability to provide continuity in our organization. He acknowledged that as he and other leaders came in, I was able to balance the requirement to do what has always been important as well as be open to new ways of doing things.
I have recently realized a significant statistic. At this point in my life, I have completed 90% of my working years. I have been employed full-time for just over 40 years. I may have four more years left in me, Lord willing. As an older worker, I am constantly reminded of my strengths and limitations. Although I recently reflected on this topic in an article entitled “Am I Getting Too Old For This?” that was published on the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics blog, I will take a slightly different angle this time.
My title alludes to the common phrase, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” However, what I have discovered is that I have been able to learn a few new things. I know I must continue to do so to succeed. I will discuss from a biblical lens the following recommendations: be teachable, be flexible, and be strong.
Be teachable
The book of Proverbs sheds much light on the contrast between the wise and the foolish. The wise choose to listen to God and to the lessons He will continue to teach us if we are teachable. Solomon advises, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Prov. 1:5).
Even though we may have “been there, done that, and got the T-shirt,” there is always something new for us to learn. The foundational Christian attribute of humility comes into play here. We need to emulate Jesus’s example of being a servant leader. Are we too proud to admit that perhaps we might have room to grow in order to improve the quality of our work? I think as more seasoned workers, we have to continue to strive to be willing to learn new things and not become an arrogant “know it all.”
I know that I still have a lot to learn. Despite the fact that I have been doing the same job for a really long time, every year, there are new challenges with planning our annual events. Whenever I get a new boss, a new senior leader across the hall, or new soldiers to assist me in the Operations shop, if I humble myself, truly listen, and learn from their experiences and knowledge that I do not have, everyone benefits.
Be courageous
I acknowledge that many older/seasoned workers have lost their jobs through early retirement, layoff, or being fired because they could not (or would not) keep up with changes in technology. The pressure is real for these employees to either adapt or get left behind. It can produce anxiety and financial difficulties leaving a job early when it will be hard to find another one in your 50s’ or 60s.
The Apostle Paul encourages his protégé, Timothy, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:12). There is a tendency to look down on those who are young. This disrespectful attitude does not belong in the workplace. It is called ageism.
Paul exhorts Timothy to challenge people’s stereotypical viewpoint that all young Christians are inexperienced, lack wisdom, etc. He asks him to exhibit maturity. In the same way, perhaps those who are more seasoned Christian workers could also apply the same intent of this verse by showing ourselves to be confident, experienced, and wise.
In the same way, let me encourage my fellow older workers to not let people assume that you are inflexible and a stick in the mud. Don’t be afraid to demonstrate that you are willing to try new things, that you are trusting God to help you adapt to new ways and embrace new technology, etc.
I was speaking with a young officer about this. She said that falling back on “This is the way we’ve always done it” it not always helpful. If something has been successful in the past, it is possible that it may still be the best way to do it. However, the old way needs to be evaluated against new ways to make an honest evaluation. If you decide to keep doing it the old way, you have a new justification for doing so.
Be strong and wise
I hope I have provided some motivation that members of the older workforce (such as I) can and should learn new tricks.
Lest you think I believe that all efforts should be made to leave the old ways completely behind and adapt to new ways, you need to know your value as an elder statesman on the team. Perhaps you are there for such a time as this: to keep the main thing the main thing, to keep the pendulum from swinging too far in one direction, and to ensure that the values that made your organization a good one continue. If the younger members of the team are the wings, you may be the roots that they need.
You have many things you can learn from the younger members of your team, but they have things to learn from you, too. You have qualities no one else has. You know what right looks like. Be open to finding better ways to row, but keep your team rowing in the right direction. Be the rock they look to when new ways fail to meet their expectations. Be the voice of reason when change is being made just for change’s sake. Be strong in the Lord. Keep sharing the wisdom and experiences you have learned the hard way.
Closing thoughts
Christian employers, please consider this. Losing members of your more experienced workforce due to their inability to keep up with changes may be a costly mistake due to the “value added” that they bring to the table. What if you focused on their many strengths rather than their weaknesses? Maybe they don’t need to learn new tricks; they already have a unique role. Are there opportunities to keep these seasoned members of your team on in a different capacity, i.e., new employee orientation or training, leader development, mentorship of junior managers, advisors, or consultants?
For those who are like me, remember that you are where you are because God has placed you there. He created you with all of the interests, strengths, skills, education, and experiences needed to be able to do the job that you have now. He has great plans for you, despite the challenges you face at work as you get older.
Be of good courage. Even though it may seem that technology and new ways of thinking and doing things are changing so fast that it is nearly impossible to keep up with it all, try to focus your attention on the kinds of things that do not change, such as biblical values and people skills. If you are loving your neighbor by what you do at work and working as unto the Lord, that is mainly what you are called to do.
Let me leave you with an appropriate verse that came to mind after my 60th birthday a number of years ago. It brought me much encouragement. “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day, I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come” (Ps. 71:17-18). Amen!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Russ Gehrlein
Featured Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Comments are closed.