Assume Equality But Respect Seniority

If you know me, you know how much I love the theater. I was in my element last week when I saw Suffs on Broadway, which is a musical based on the American women’s suffrage movement.

And if you really know me, you know I see the lesson in everything. So much of what we experience in one aspect of life can be applied to another. The storyline of a production one hundred years in the making had much to offer.

Of the many topics explored, one stood out to me because I found it rather relevant to the business world these days — the young guard vs. the old guard.

What happened when the more radical activists came up against those who’d been around awhile? The youngsters were all fired up while the more experienced among them tried to temper enthusiasm with established wisdom.

Sound familiar?

We’ve all heard some version of "this is how we do things around here" before. I don’t know about you, but it’s always struck me as stagnant and backward thinking.

In many work environments, coming up with an innovative idea is seen as disruptive, and would-be winners get slapped down by seniority.

If you think I’m saying out with the old, in with the new — bring the bulldozers — think again.

Instead, I say assume equality, but respect seniority. Here’s what I mean.

If you cower to those in charge, making yourself small and docile, you’ll never be taken seriously. But if you buck authority full steam without recognizing who’s in charge, why, and what moves them, it will prove much more difficult to get the outcome you want.

You’re better off knowing when to work within the rules and when to break them.

When I was on The Oprah Winfrey Show earlier in my career, I was told Oprah doesn’t like a weak guest. I was told to get in there and stand my ground without stepping on her toes.

I had to assume equality, but respect seniority. I was able to break through fear and intimidation to work alongside her and establish my own ground.

Where are you trying to break through the status quo?

How will assuming equality help you?

How will respecting seniority help you?

Answering these questions can take you a long way toward where you want to go.

To your success,

Laura