Balancing Experience, Speed, and Adaptability in a Diverse Team
“Can I call for a meeting?” I asked the oldest member of my team. Email discussions were getting long-winded, and I wanted to resolve things quickly.
“No, I need time to think. I don’t want to rush through details in a meeting. I need to read and understand,” he replied firmly.
“Fine,” I said.
I respect this man. He reminds me of people from my father’s generation—thoughtful, methodical, and deeply analytical. He prefers time to process, and I allow that. But when the younger members of my team try to do the same, keeping documents open for months, my approach is different. The unspoken rule is: “Let’s call for a meeting and close the discussion.” Speed matters.
I’ve always prided myself on being tech-savvy and fast when it comes to digital skills. But recently, I was in a shopping mall, struggling to navigate a website for a membership discount. My 11-year-old daughter snatched my phone, tapped a few buttons, and completed it in seconds. It’s happening more often now—I find myself relying on her to explain digital shortcuts and modern interfaces.
And it makes me wonder: is this bias? The way we stereotype speed and capability by age?
Maybe. But I think it’s necessary. Because fairness isn’t about treating everyone the same—it’s about understanding that people work at different speeds, with different strengths, in different contexts.
My older daughter once did a thesis on neuroplasticity. She tested how quickly different age groups could memorize five difficult English words through loud repetition. The 6- to 20-year-olds took an average of 3–4 minutes. Older participants took longer. When she tested me, I finished in 4.5 minutes—despite being in my 40s. She was surprised. I credited my music learning for keeping my brain sharp.
Curious, I suggested she test two of my neighbors, both in their 60s—one physically active with gardening, the other a musician. The results were fascinating. The gardener took 19 minutes. The musician? Just 5.5 minutes.
It made me think: sharpness isn’t just about age—it’s about how we engage our brains. If someone’s work involves rapid decision-making, they process information faster. If their work requires deep analysis, they naturally take more time.
In my team, I have a few members above 50. The rules and expectations adapt to their nature, skill set, and area of work. If speed is critical, responsibilities may need to shift. But their experience, wisdom, and mentorship are invaluable. And just like they rely on us for small IT struggles, we rely on them for their depth of knowledge.
In leadership, speed, critical thinking, and experience all hold their place. And I’m grateful to have a team that balances it all. Age diversity is not just about inclusion—it’s about making the most of everyone’s strengths, at every stage of life.
