Why your workplace is like a 1980s school disco

Remember those school discos? The painfully awkward events where everyone stood against the walls, pretending to be cool while secretly hoping someone would ask them to dance? You know, the ones when sticking with your mates felt safer than daring to dance with anyone outside your circle, for fear of social oblivion.

Well, here’s a slightly uncomfortable thought: many of our modern workplaces are like a school disco that never quite ended. Everyone is still stuck in their cliques, reluctant to interact with anyone who seems too different, too uncool, or—heaven forbid—too old. But this time, the ones left out of the dance aren’t the kids in Mum’s fashion-forward hand-me-downs. They’re the people with a bit of life experience, a few more stories, and, dare I say, the odd extra wrinkle. Welcome to 2024, where ageism is still the last acceptable 'ism' in the workplace, and somehow, it's all a bit absurd.

The problem: ageism is the last acceptable 'ism' in the workplace

Let’s face it: ageism is the elephant in the room, with the bizarre assumption that anyone with a few more frown lines means you're hopelessly out of touch. We wouldn’t dream of making decisions based on race, gender, or orientation, but when it comes to age, we all seem to lose our collective minds. Somehow, the thought of a few more candles on the birthday cake is still scarier to some than letting the interns run the company's social media accounts unsupervised.

Picture this: I’m in a meeting—one of those important ones where everyone is trying to look serious while nibbling on dry biscuits that taste like disappointment. We’re brainstorming a new digital campaign, and suddenly, it hits me: everyone in the room is under 35. Where are the folks who were around when the internet first squeaked its way into our homes? Nowhere to be found.

When I ask where they are, someone whispers, “Oh, they wouldn’t really get it. It’s all tech stuff.” Tech stuff? These were the people who kept the company alive during the dot-com crash! Now we’ve decided that a few more birthdays means they can’t grasp anything digital? That’s like assuming someone who knows how to drive a car can’t possibly understand a bicycle.

And then there’s Jon. Jon’s been with the company for decades. He’s the guy who remembers when fax machines were cutting-edge and can still recite our company’s first mission statement by heart—back when it was written in Comic Sans.

We had this big meeting to discuss a new marketing strategy, and someone suggested bringing Jon in for his insights. Immediately, there were eye rolls and a few sniggers. “Oh, you mean Jon, the guy who still uses a Filofax?” they muttered. Well, Jon did get invited. He walked into that room wearing a sweater that looked like it had time-travelled from 1987, sat quietly while all the young guns threw their ideas around like confetti, and waited his turn.

When it finally came to Jon’s moment to speak, he calmly suggested, “Why don’t we ask our customers what they want instead of guessing?” The room went silent, jaws dropped. It was like he’d just reinvented the wheel. The so-called "innovators" were left scrambling to figure out how they’d missed the most obvious idea of all. Jon might not have been fluent in TikTok dances, but he knew what mattered to the people buying our products. It turns out that knowing your audience—a concept as old as time—isn’t something you forget with age.

Older workers are not dried-up has-beens; they’re secret weapons

Let’s put down our Walkmans and reflect on a few facts. Older workers aren’t "dinosaurs." In fact, they’re more like the secret weapons you didn’t know you had—like finding an unexpected fiver in your jeans or realizing your phone still has battery life when you’re lost.

Research shows that people over 50 are often better at handling stress, resolving conflicts, and demonstrating emotional intelligence. This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who’s ever tried to guide a group of teenagers through GCSE revision. These folks have navigated multiple economic downturns, technological evolutions, and enough social changes to make your head spin. They’ve seen it all, survived it all, and still turn up to work with a smile. That’s no small feat.

Take Mike, for example. Mike is 56, and he’s one of those guys who never breaks a sweat. A while back, we had a major client threatening to walk away. The younger team members were flapping around like seagulls in a gale, but Mike? Mike just sat down, picked up the phone, and five minutes later, not only was the client staying, but they were also committing to a longer contract. I asked him how he did it. He just smiled and said, “Simon, this isn’t my first rodeo.” There are some things you just can’t learn from a TED Talk.

And then there’s the idea that older workers are afraid of technology, which is absolute nonsense. You think we can't handle TikTok? Please. We were around for the rise and fall of Friends Reunited and MySpace and lived to tell the tale. I remember a time when we were rolling out a new digital platform. The younger team members were tied in knots, struggling to make sense of it all. Then in comes Bill, a 60-year-old former IT manager, who casually says, “Oh, this is just like what we did with early CMS systems—just shinier.” Within a day, he had the whole team up and running. And without a single expletive.

The opportunity: mixing generations is the future (and it's more fun than you think!)

So, what would happen if we stopped treating the workplace like some generational battleground and started mixing things up a bit? Imagine this: a 25-year-old fresh out of university teams up with a 55-year-old industry veteran. One brings fresh ideas, unburdened by 'how things have always been done.' The other offers context, strategy, and the kind of perspective that stops risky ideas from nosediving into catastrophe.

This is the dynamic, age-diverse workplace of the future—where the combined power of youth and experience drives creativity, innovation, and productivity to dizzying new heights. Not only is it more effective, but it’s also a lot more fun. Picture the whole team brainstorming, where the 55-year-old knows which questions to ask, and the 25-year-old knows which buttons to push (both literally and metaphorically). It’s a blend of fresh ideas with battle-hardened lived experience; curiosity with context.

Of course, this won’t happen overnight. It requires a shift in mindset, a willingness to challenge deeply ingrained stereotypes, and, yes, a bit of courage to shake up the dance floor. However, organisations that embrace age diversity see a range of benefits—from increased innovation and problem-solving capabilities to better employee engagement and retention. A recent study found that age-diverse teams are more productive and come up with broader solutions to complex problems. So, why wouldn’t you want to mix things up?

And this is where 55/Redefined comes in. Think of us as your DJ, spinning the perfect mix that gets everyone—from the fresh-faced newbies to the super-experienced older colleagues—dancing together, creating something new and exciting.

Conclusion: let’s mix up the dance floor

Let’s stop treating age like an outdated concept. Instead, let’s recognise it for what it truly is: a valuable, diverse range of skills, perspectives, and experiences that could transform your business if you let it. Age isn’t just a number; it’s a secret ingredient that could redefine the future of your workplace.

It’s time to be brave enough to mix up the dance floor, break down those invisible barriers, and create a workplace where everyone, regardless of age, feels they can contribute, innovate, and thrive. Don’t let your company get stuck in the 1980s, clinging to outdated ideas and missing out on the vast pool of talent right under your nose.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you ready to step out of the past and into a more vibrant, inclusive future? Share your stories, your experiences, and your challenges. And if you’re ready to talk about creating a truly dynamic, age-inclusive workplace, get in touch or DM me. Because together, we can build a workplace that works for everyone.

Let’s get this dance started

#AgeDiversity #InclusiveWorkplace #FutureOfWork #IntergenerationalTeams #WorkplaceInnovation #55Redefined