Older means you know too much
Knowing that “it can’t be done” because you can recount each of the failed attempts in the last 20 years to solve the problem can be a boat anchor on insight and imagination. This not only effects individuals, but happens to companies as they age.
This in itself is why young talent is invaluable at any company, but especially so at well-established companies. It does say something about a company when people stick around for years, even decades. You probably have a great culture and compensate your employees well - however, people get stuck in ways of doing things. Keeping the status quo is easy.
Young people are willing to challenge things. It may seem crazy at times, but maybe it’ll work this time. It’s not idealistic - when something “doesn’t work,” it may not have worked for dozens of reasons, not just because it’s a bad idea.
Companies today are sitting on a hotbed of opportunity. Very smart kids graduating from college simply can’t find jobs because there’s an abundance of “experienced workers” out there. Take a step back, be willing to bring in some young talent and train them, but give them space to leave an impact on the company at the same time.
Someone once told me, that anecdotally, the half life of a successful company is 50-75 years. Remember that and stay humble. What made a company successful in the “last generation” may not be what keeps it successful today.
