We are so quick to chop and change. We have adopted a policy of replacement, as we always think that this person or that one should be ‘changed’ or ‘sent home’ and ‘find a young replacement’.
We are quick to discard the elderly, on the grounds that he or she has been doing it for too long a time, so needs to be made redundant. But in so doing, we often forget the knowledge base, or acquired experience, the know-how and skills of such persons.
I recall too watching certain movies, especially karate, whenever one wanted to be better than the rest, or to become invincible, always referred to a grand master or expert in that particular skill.
So, rather than discard or make redundant, why not use such persons in a mentoring capacity, have them guide and enrich the replacement over time so both parties can gain relevance and importance?
While I have no problem with the replacement factor, it is how it is done, why it is done and how non-appreciated the values and talents of the experts have become.
The old and the new or hopeful can adapt, granted one can reduce the work load or payment to the senior, but that constant involvement and participation keeps both parties satisfied and when the final transition is accomplished there will be less animosity.
Too many of our highly-trained professionals are disposed and disregarded on the basis of his or her time has passed. We need to understand that nothing is more damaging to the ego, than to feel unwanted.
It saddens me when the so-called “new kid on the block” has neither the right attitude, passion or zeal of the former. And in most cases you may pay less, but the quality and standards can deteriorate.
Take for instance, the media. The best was yesterday, the standards to be upheld seem to have vanished and the ‘now’ standers and quality are in question.
We need to adopt a philosophy of seamless transition, ensuring that the respect of the old masters and experts is not forgotten and the love should flow from one to the other, not continue to be a cutthroat situation.
Change is inevitable, new choices should be sought, but the quality of the greats and the learned must never be discarded as is presently done. Sometimes, we change based on what we hear, what we believe, or what we are influenced to believe, but sometimes too the decisions we make can end-up compromising standards and this is commonly experienced in some of the political decisions we make.
Everybody puts their hand in the air when it comes to changing, but it is not always for the better, not always the smarter thing to do, because the output of the new may not always measure-up to the demands of the present.
The young will ultimately take-over, but the standards of the past must never be overlooked, or seen as irrelevant, as harmonizing and compromising also have to be put in the equation.
Why? Because too-many are killed before their time to die, simply because until we die, we all want to remain relevant.