Look, I get it. When someone drops an “OK Boomer” on me, I’m supposed to just chuckle and shuffle off to my rocking chair, right? Maybe complain about kids these days while squinting at my flip phone?
Here’s the thing though – that assumption is about as outdated as a dial-up modem.
While you’re rolling your eyes at my generation, I’ve been quietly building AI workflows that automate half my daily tasks. I’ve got Claude helping me draft proposals, ChatGPT analyzing market trends, and custom GPT agents handling my research pipeline. Not because some 22-year-old intern taught me, but because I recognized the game-changing potential before most people even knew what “large language models” meant.
It’s like assuming someone can’t drive because they remember when cars had manual transmissions. Experience with older Technology doesn’t make you obsolete – it gives you perspective on how things actually work under the hood.
You know what gives me an edge in understanding AI adoption? I’ve lived through multiple technology revolutions. I watched the internet go from dial-up curiosity to business necessity. I saw smartphones transform from expensive gadgets to essential tools. I witnessed social media evolve from college networks to global communication platforms.
Each time, the pattern was the same: early skepticism, gradual adoption, then sudden ubiquity. Most importantly, I learned that the real winners weren’t just the early adopters – they were the ones who understood how to integrate new tools with proven business fundamentals.
When I hear younger colleagues getting excited about “agentic AI strategies,” I smile a little. Not because the technology isn’t revolutionary – it absolutely is – but because the concept of autonomous systems handling routine tasks is something I’ve been implementing for decades, just with different tools.
Think of it like this: a good executive assistant has always been “agentic.” They understand your preferences, make decisions within defined parameters, and handle tasks without constant supervision. AI agents are essentially digital assistants with superpowers – and I’ve spent 30 years learning how to work effectively with talented assistants.
Here’s what experience actually gives you in a rapidly changing world: pattern recognition. I can spot the difference between genuine Innovation and flashy trends because I’ve seen enough cycles to know what sustainable change looks like.
When everyone was chasing the metaverse, I was quietly Investing time in understanding transformer architecture. When NFTs were the hot topic, I was exploring how AI could actually improve customer service. Not because I’m smarter, but because I’ve learned to focus on solving real problems rather than chasing shiny objects.
All this talk about “future of work” and hybrid strategies makes me chuckle. Many of us have been managing distributed teams since before Zoom existed. We figured out asynchronous collaboration when email was cutting-edge. We learned to build trust and accountability across time zones when video calls required special equipment.
The tools have gotten better, sure. But the fundamental skills of remote leadership, digital communication, and building culture without physical presence? We’ve been developing those for years.
Here’s the business case against age-based dismissiveness: it’s incredibly wasteful. When you write off someone’s perspective based on when they were born, you’re potentially discarding decades of pattern recognition, relationship building, and hard-won Wisdom about what actually works.
Smart organizations create environments where different generations learn from each other. The 25-year-old who intuitively understands TikTok algorithms pairs beautifully with the 55-year-old who knows how to navigate complex client Relationships. The recent graduate with fresh AI prompt engineering skills complements the veteran who understands regulatory compliance.
It’s like having a toolbox with both power tools and hand tools – you need both for different jobs.
The most successful professionals I know, regardless of age, share one trait: intellectual curiosity. They’re not threatened by new ideas or new people. They ask questions, experiment with tools, and stay hungry to learn.
So next time you’re tempted to dismiss someone’s input with “OK Boomer,” consider this: you might be talking to someone who was automating workflows before you knew what a workflow was, who understands technology adoption cycles because they’ve lived through several, and who combines cutting-edge tools with battle-tested judgment.
That’s not old-fashioned thinking. That’s strategic advantage.
I’m not asking for special treatment or participation trophies. I’m suggesting that diversity of thought includes diversity of experience. The best solutions often come from combining fresh perspectives with seasoned judgment.
Instead of “OK Boomer,” how about “What do you think?” You might be surprised by the answer.
After all, we didn’t survive multiple technology revolutions by accident. We adapted, learned, and kept growing. And we’re still here, still innovating, still solving problems.
Just with better tools now.
The post Beyond “OK Boomer”: Why Dismissing Experience is Bad Business appeared first on Business Advisor and Executive Coach | Doug Thorpe.
