F#*k Ageism, Embrace Your Senior Executive Battlescars

F#*k Ageism, Embrace Your Senior Executive Battlescars

???? Jacob here.

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: ageism in senior executive hiring.

Here's a hard truth: If you're a senior exec trying to prove you're "hip with the times," you're playing the wrong game.

And you're losing. Big time.

Stop competing with the rising stars on the latest tech trends or buzzwords. That's not your battlefield, even if you are exceptionally talented in that arena.

You're bringing a knife to a gunfight, and the gun is in your back pocket.

Here's the deal:

Young execs play checkers. You? You play chess.

Why? Because you've seen some shit:

  • Market crashes? You've weathered them.
  • Strategic pivots? You've led them.
  • Industry disruptions? You've navigated them.

That's your superpower. Your unique value proposition.

So why the hell are you trying to prove you can TikTok with the best of them?

Listen up:

Your job isn't to be the most tech-savvy or trend-aware exec in the room.

Your job is to be the wisest, most strategic, battle-tested leader they've ever met.

You've got war stories that can save companies millions. Use them.

You've got foresight from years of experience. Leverage it.

You've seen patterns that younger execs can't even fathom. That's your golden ticket.

Here's the brutal truth:

If you're diminishing your experience to seem "younger," you're:

  1. Lengthening your job search
  2. Minimizing your compensation
  3. Setting yourself up for frustration

In other words, you're screwing yourself.

And let's address the ugly reality: Yes, ageism exists.

But here's my advice: If a company discriminates based on your age, whether they say it out loud or not, fuck 'em.

They don't deserve you. Period.

Your mindset should be: "Their loss. Next!"

Because somewhere out there is an organization smart enough to recognize the goldmine of experience you bring.

That's where you focus. That's where you win.

Remember:

In the executive game, wisdom trumps trendiness every damn time.

So stop trying to be something you're not.

Be the strategic powerhouse you are.

Because in the C-suite, the chess player always beats the checkers champion.

Stay fearless, friends.

See you next week.

Jerome Michael McLaughlin

Entrepreneur | Executive | Artist | Author

1 个月

Amen (says the gray beard.)

Ravi Rajani

I'll teach you and your team how to communicate with influence so you can build trusted relationships that boost sales growth and team performance

1 个月

Unapologetically self-expressed - this is exactly why people come to YOU when they need a trusted advisor Jacob Warwick

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Cameron Craig

LinkedIn Top Public Relations Voice. Communications pro: 20+ years experience working with Apple, Amazon, Visa, PayPal and Yahoo! Former publicist for Johnny Cash. Available now to help you craft your story. Follow me.

1 个月

Thanks. Will remember this for when I’m old.

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Mary K. Ludlow, BA, CSCS

Owner - MK Super Sessions Personal Training & Nutrition Coaching

1 个月

Nice Jacob! Great words here from everyone. The focus shouldn’t be on age or we’re all just keeping the division alive. It should be on what we can contribute like we’re doing and how we deliver that knowledge, naturally, with confidence plus our own individual passion and smarts.

David Kaupp

Marketing Leader | Growth & Transformation | Enterprise Technology | Sustainable-Hard Tech & Mission-Driven Brands

1 个月

Nice article Jacob...it's the elephant in the room for sure! Companies should value your experience and understand the real value and impact that a "battle-tested" leader can provide to their outcomes.

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