Comments on: Older People Aren’t as Dumb as you Think, Kid

By: Rick Ladd

Rick Ladd — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:42:10 +0000

That's a great point, Jim. I have been suggesting the concept of "reverse mentoring" at PWR for a couple of years now. Unfortunately, although some lip service was paid to the idea, nothing I know of ever materialized from it. A fairly analogous issue was raised at PWR many years ago with respect to who the "experts" were in our organization. When we began our efforts with AskMe Enterprise, we had to decide how we would identify people who were "experts" in their fields. Fortunately, the attitude that expertise was emergent and could be found in other than traditional ways won the day and everyone was allowed to self-identify. It recognized, and circumstances later bore out the reality, that newly-hired, or even people normally considered outside a particular domain, could have important and useful expertise to offer. Appreciate the comment. Thanks.

By: Rick Ladd

Rick Ladd — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:30:51 +0000

Thanks, James. This is surely why I am so interested in “seeing systems”; on synthesizing rather than analyzing; of recognizing and considering as many constituents of a problem or, rather, challenge as possible. I’m also of the opinion your work is heading in the same direction I am, albeit from another approach. Appreciate your comment. Looking forward to the Boston Innobeer!

By: Jim Belfiore

Jim Belfiore — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:38:50 +0000

Good advice that works both ways. There is much to be gained by walking a mile in another person’s shoes. Generational knowledge transfer (or transfer between any two distinct tribes) is always a two-way street.

By: James Todhunter

James Todhunter — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:26:35 +0000

Good points, Rick. One the biggest mistakes people make in pursuing an agenda of organizational transformation is to assume that everyone else in the organization should have the same frame of reference. This narrow view doesn’t recognize the reality of the human factors and will lead to failure.