The World

Dear friends,

Have you noticed how we all have changed during recent years and I do not mean that we have got more grey hair, at least some of us, or that we actually are older. I'm thinking of how we act during meetings. 20 years ago or even 10 years ago we paid attention during meetings. We took a break when it what scheduled and we normally took care of whatever telephone call or other matter during that break.

How about now? If you look around a meeting or conference hall today you can see most attendees busy on their Blackberrys, IPads, lap-tops or other devices.

Is this showing that you are interested or that you contribute to the meeting?
What is more important, is that respect to the person or persons that are talking??!!

I have seen participants that do not let go of the Blackberry for one single moment during a meeting, I have seen the use of IPads being used constantly during meetings. What is also becoming more and more frequent especially in larger meetings is that independent discussions start amongst the delegates resulting in everyone getting disturbed.
Now you will most likely say that I do the same which I have to agree is true. I do act the same way during meetings and I think this is showing how bad it has become. I have advocated for a long time that this is a very bad habit and I very clearly have the view that all these devices should be left alone during meeting, still I act the same way!
It is now my clear view that we should respect the meeting, this would benefit all of us!
The next meeting I attend my Blackberry will stay in my pocket

During breakfast today I read in the morning paper that work career will peak when you get 44 years old. This really worries me! Not because I am concerned about what will happen myself because I passed 44 almost 10 years ago. I do not believe my career was at the top 10 years ago but possible some of you might have a different opinion.

What worries me more is the general views that are put forward and the lack of respect for people with experience and knowledge. At 44 you would have been in worklife for roughly 20 years and you have at least 20 years to go before retirement. During the first 20 years you gain a lot of experience and routine. During the next 20 years you can really put all your experience to work and be very valuable to your company. It is my great hope that younger associates in a company view older colleagues as an asset and not the other way around.

Of course it is of extreme importance that you even after 44 continue to grow with the time and actively follow the development. It really worries me if a general attitude of age discrimination spreads and that we will have situation where those that are below 40 will have the view that everyone above 50 is past his or hers best date and even more worrying if all above 44 will see themselves as on their way to retirement. We need a combination of young and older competences in a company and it is really important that those over 44 really see the how important they are.