They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Try telling Bessy, Grampa Jack’s collie. She’s fifteen-plus and this week learned how to open the fridge door and reach the meat shelf.
But the truth is, this trick was self-taught . . . and in business, the same goes.
Sure, the goal may not be to steal sausages, but with age comes wisdom and, with wisdom, the ability to offer innovative ideas that help a company progress and grow.
If you’re keen to move into management with a new role from s1jobs, this means you should always remember your age can be your asset.
Here are four things to remind your potential new CEO about old dogs.
Paws or pounce?
With experience comes the uncanny ability to know when to seize business opportunities at once . . . or when to wait and play the long game.
For example, when Bessy sees the postman come through the gate, she lies and waits for him to come right up the garden path before nicking in and making off with the mail.
Silent running
Young guns aiming for top jobs and sales targets often like to announce their presence to peers or clients very loudly. But if their bark turns out to be worse than their bite, they’ve blown it.
Old wolves do not alert their prey by howling.
Keeping their own counsel in business matters until the right opportunity means when they do act, they’re sure to strike home – and in the future others pay attention.
Leaders of the pack
Everybody knows we’re all living until 200 but some haven’t realised this means older, wiser heads will be staying longer or moving into senior positions. And rightly so.
It’s vital they remain to pass on to the next generation all of the knowledge learned through the years. These skills are brand new tricks to those just starting out.
Time and a place
You don’t see Bessy chasing her own tail or hiding under the bed when there’s thunder. With maturity comes calmness and certainty about the universe.
This means when problems or failures occur – and in business they will – the old dog never gets over-excited or rattled.
Instead they find alternative ways of doing things. Sometimes a new trick comes from accepting what’s not worked and learning from it – so as not to be caught out next time.
Want to be top dog? Find your new Executive role with s1jobs.