Act Your Age - Overcoming the Ageism Gap

by Trevor Calton

I hear this one a lot from both young people just entering the workforce, and people in the twilight of their career who are competing against younger people and feel like maybe they're at a disadvantage.

Regardless of your age, just be forthright about it, and turn your experience, or lack of it, into a strength.

For instance, if you're a student who just graduated, maybe you're entering the workforce for the first time and you have no experience. Well, that just means that you don't have any bad habits that need to be untrained. Right? You can turn that into a positive. You're, open-minded, you're a blank slate.

Same if you're an older person who's maybe going back to work or feeling like they're significantly older than a lot of other people. Well, that can be a benefit also. That means that you are probably more stable, more established, and probably have your routine set. You're probably going to be a better leader. Perhaps you have more experience and you can help with training.

"Act your age" means owning your stage of life and rocking the strengths that come with it, no matter how young or seasoned you are? It's not about fitting into stereotypes, it's about being real and playing to your advantages.

Think about it: fresh grads might feel green and like they need to fake it to catch up. And those with tons of experience? They might worry about being seen as outdated or too expensive. But here's the deal: every age has its superpowers.

Newbies bring fresh eyes, they're quick learners, and they're not stuck in old ways. They're ready to dive into new tech and ideas without baggage. Instead of apologizing for being new, they should shout about their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. That kind of energy is gold!

On the flip side, experienced folks have seen it all. They've got the problem-solving skills, they know how to lead, and they have connections. They can keep things steady and mentor the newbies. They should own their expertise, not hide it. That experience is a huge asset, especially for training and keeping the team on track.

Really, it's all about being yourself, whatever your age. Trying to be someone you're not just comes off as fake. Focus on what you're good at, what you bring to the table right now.

The cool thing about this way of looking at "act your age" is that it turns perceived weaknesses into strengths. Newcomers are agile and creative. Veterans are wise and reliable. The key is to know your stuff and be confident about it. Don't be shy about where you are in your career journey. Being real and sure of yourself is way more powerful than trying to look younger or older than you are. Own your story, using your strengths, and showing off what makes you awesome at work.

Being genuine is always going to be better than pretending to be something you're not.