There is a common perception among the youth that behind every failure, there is an older person whose ways of thinking and decision-making are outdated. The question is whether elders are really an obstacle in the path of the new generation. If yes, what could be the best role for senior leaders?

I had an amazing discussion recently with a group of young Kuwaitis who are about to graduate and start their careers. What led us to this debate was their obvious concern about the future and whether it would be easy for them to get promoted and climb the ladder of success at a time when those who have been in service for many years won't leave their positions and retire. These people are labeled as 'old school'.

There is also a difference between working for the private sector and the public sector. I agree that in the public sector, you may come across those who have been in service for more than 30 years and refuse to leave, unless they suffer a sudden stroke or death forces them to quit. But in the private sector, it is a different situation. The question remains is why do young people don't find opportunities easily, even in the private sector.

There are tools for success, which most youth are not willing to accept. The first one is initiative. Bring ideas into action. I know that young people are energetic and very eager to push forward to use their college knowledge to generate profits and make money, but lasting value is created when the experience of elders who belong to the old school combines with their knowledge and judgment to create prosperity.

The elders who are labeled as old school can be divided into two categories - those who haven't adapted to the technological and ideological revolution, and if they haven't failed already, they will within the next 20 years or so. The other category is of those who have adapted to the new world order, and this makes them much more intelligent than most people, because throughout their lifelong experience, they adapted to completely different systems and ways of work, and they are well-known throughout the world now.

Is it a good idea to pass the torch to the young from those who are older? There is a requirement of basic knowledge and experience, and the young have no right to take the torch if they cannot surpass those who came before us, so that those who come after us will do a much better job rather than creating a cycle of self-improvement with every generation. The 'new school' should not seek a better version, but a new one.

Another point here is the need to put ideas for sale, whether of products or services. Think of all those who are being labeled as 'old school' - they made a fortune because they managed to sell their ideas even if they seem outdated now. Social media has the power and impact to shape and reshape the ideas of young people. The danger of these ideas is seeking to be rich and famous, even if this means you are making a fool of yourself. To many young people, creativity knows no boundaries, no rules, no laws or even traditions, which do not have the ability to stop the new generation regardless of the mistakes they sometimes commit.

I love the energy and enthusiasm of young people and appreciate the way they visualize their future. This is normal and logical. But if they listen to the old school, they might obtain things they could use - like wisdom and experience.

By Muna Al-Fuzai

[email protected]