Workplace Wisdom: We All Have Something to Learn

One of the things I admire about my manager is that he leads like a leader, not a boss. In a place often compared to a jungle, his more than twenty years of experience should have granted him the savvy of a hunter. I mean, he’s quite the legend here. And I’m more like a baby panda who’s good at throwing tantrums, if we're being honest.

Still, he always listens to my opinion regarding work matters. Once, he even chastised me for just nodding and going along with everything he said (in my defense, he is still the boss!).

“You can disagree with my view. I’m not dictating anything,” he said. “We’re here to discuss the matter. I’m still learning about this, too.”

I’ve learned from my manager that there's nothing wrong with admitting that younger people may have fresher perspectives than we do. It can even be wiser to include them in a discussion. My manager may be two decades my senior, and while I’ve learned a good deal from him, this baby panda (a.k.a. me) can also offer a valuable perspective.

Unlike the admirable modesty of my manager, I also know some people who belittle younger individuals just because of their age. These people rely on their years of expertise as the standard. (If you’re expecting tea—ha!—I won’t name names!) I don’t agree with their take (obviously), but when I try to see things from their perspective, I realize that feeling “defeated” by someone newer can feel like a low blow.

It takes courage to admit that no one is “below” you and that knowledge doesn’t always align with years of experience.

I hope that someday, when I meet someone younger and sharper than I am, I’ll welcome their ideas with open arms—because no one is beneath me, and wisdom doesn’t come with a timestamp.

If you like this post, you might also enjoy I Made a Mistake Today—And I Didn’t Break Down and No Wi-Fi, No Problem? A Lesson in Digital Detox.