Comments on: Age, Experience and Worldview http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/2010/02/19/age-experience-and-worldview/ Changing the world one behaviour at a time Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:21:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nevin http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/2010/02/19/age-experience-and-worldview/comment-page-1/#comment-279 Nevin Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:47:11 +0000 http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/?p=401#comment-279 Thanks Chris. As always, I appreciate your take. I think one of the recurring themes when I write is my wish for organizations to realize (and address) the importance of "organizational structure and how the human being within such a structure interact." I'm glad you see its relationship here. At least in part, I've tried previously to address how I think an organization could operate differently to evoke more diversity of thought. If you haven't read an old post of mine on The Three Cs, it's one of my favourites. http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/2008/07/22/the-three-cs/ Thanks Chris. As always, I appreciate your take.

I think one of the recurring themes when I write is my wish for organizations to realize (and address) the importance of “organizational structure and how the human being within such a structure interact.” I’m glad you see its relationship here.

At least in part, I’ve tried previously to address how I think an organization could operate differently to evoke more diversity of thought. If you haven’t read an old post of mine on The Three Cs, it’s one of my favourites. http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/2008/07/22/the-three-cs/

]]> By: Chris http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/2010/02/19/age-experience-and-worldview/comment-page-1/#comment-272 Chris Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:17:54 +0000 http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/?p=401#comment-272 Here's an article that appeared recently which touches on the issue of workplace innovation and creativity. I think that this sums up quite nicely how age is not the only factor. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/managing/weekend-workout/workplace-creativity-shrivels-on-the-vine/article1474956/ Here’s an article that appeared recently which touches on the issue of workplace innovation and creativity. I think that this sums up quite nicely how age is not the only factor.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/managing/weekend-workout/workplace-creativity-shrivels-on-the-vine/article1474956/

]]> By: Chris http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/2010/02/19/age-experience-and-worldview/comment-page-1/#comment-270 Chris Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:01:28 +0000 http://proceeduntilapprehended.com/?p=401#comment-270 Nevin -- I tend to wholeheartedly agree with your perspective on this topic of what type of individuals bring forth more to the table with respect to "innovation". Worldview is definitely more important than age -- at least from my observations / experience. As you know, I work for a technology company and I see examples of a diverse set of people expressing both innovative and conservative ideas. It really depends on the individual -- age is only one factor and not the most important one. Now the issue of organizational structure and how the human being within such a structure interact is probably a greater determinant of whether or not innovative thinking thrives or is choked. In your blog post you mention a co-worker that feels their skills are not utilized well by government. Not surprising -- government organizations are typcially large bureaucracies. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not be critical of just government here. Large private corporations have the same problem with bureaucracy. There is a great quote that I saw one time (used to have it up on my wall at work) but I can't for the life of me remember who it was or exactly what it said but it goes something like this: "A large bureaucracy, with its need for linear logic and conformity to myriad rules and controls is the ultimate idea killer conceived of by man". I believe that this quote is generally true -- take a look at a company like GM! I rest my case! This is why you see more disruptive innovation coming out of stealthy, small organizations. You'll also notice a particular type of personality -- worldview -- attracted to such organizations. You'll see the same people hating their jobs within government or other large bureaucracies. I work with someone like this. Again, I totally agree with you -- it's about worldview and beliefs not age that drives innovative thinking. Some people just have what it takes to think beyond the state of the art while others are more conservative. Undoubtedly this cuts across all demographic cohorts. Nevin — I tend to wholeheartedly agree with your perspective on this topic of what type of individuals bring forth more to the table with respect to “innovation”. Worldview is definitely more important than age — at least from my observations / experience. As you know, I work for a technology company and I see examples of a diverse set of people expressing both innovative and conservative ideas. It really depends on the individual — age is only one factor and not the most important one.

Now the issue of organizational structure and how the human being within such a structure interact is probably a greater determinant of whether or not innovative thinking thrives or is choked. In your blog post you mention a co-worker that feels their skills are not utilized well by government. Not surprising — government organizations are typcially large bureaucracies. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not be critical of just government here. Large private corporations have the same problem with bureaucracy. There is a great quote that I saw one time (used to have it up on my wall at work) but I can’t for the life of me remember who it was or exactly what it said but it goes something like this:

“A large bureaucracy, with its need for linear logic and conformity to myriad rules and controls is the ultimate idea killer conceived of by man”.

I believe that this quote is generally true — take a look at a company like GM! I rest my case! This is why you see more disruptive innovation coming out of stealthy, small organizations. You’ll also notice a particular type of personality — worldview — attracted to such organizations. You’ll see the same people hating their jobs within government or other large bureaucracies. I work with someone like this.

Again, I totally agree with you — it’s about worldview and beliefs not age that drives innovative thinking. Some people just have what it takes to think beyond the state of the art while others are more conservative. Undoubtedly this cuts across all demographic cohorts.

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