Did they call you a fool before recognizing you as a leader?
I work with a young crowd. The company has a few years behind it, but the overall workforce is fresh out of college. Especially my team of researchers. When we met, they all mentioned where they worked prior or if they just graduated. It didn't phase me then until my group lead said he was...
TWENTY-THREE!!
Folks, I am very excited about turning twenty-seven in less than two months. If you weren't here last year, you didn't part take in the month-long celebration. Not to worry, we will celebrate all month long again. Until then, let's revisit the shocking realization that my team is three to four years younger than I. Granted we are in the technology field, we are all excellent in our own ways, but WOW! I never thought I would be working with people so much younger than me.
In every career before this one I haven't been the youngest nor the eldest, but right in the middle. That always seemed appropriate. Now I feel like the old bee. I keep remembering the hardship of recently graduating, the dedication spent paying off my student loans and learning/inspiring from my supervisor. That was always important to me. Learning and aspiring to be a successful as them.
Leadership at a young age.
Before I realized how young they all are I was frustrated with their inability to communicate. They knew so much, but struggle to help the team as a whole. They could teach the basics, but they couldn't guide them beyond that. Then I realized how young they were and this might be the first group dynamic in which they are required to lead in more ways than a college education could replicate.
They aren't fools. They aren't leaders yet. They are just not there yet. Did you learn more with your first job or the one you are currently in? Did one teach you more about leadership than another? What advice do you have for me? We are technically in the same generation, but I'm getting ready for marriage and buying a house. While they are, well not.