Change or you will be consigned to history

„ Young people are ruined nowadays. All they want is easy money. Spoiled and lazy. They must be motivated by stick and strong words. Modern offices are a joke, they are like playgrounds, spoiling people even more“– this was the answer I got from a solid gentleman when asking his view on motivation and leadership. We happened to talk occasionally and hearing about his solid background in management I just wanted to use the chance and learn something new on the topic. Well, that was quite an experience.

Usually, I get irritated by such kind of the statements. They are totally opposite to my personal and professional values, views and practical experience. This time I did not get anxious, I felt sorry instead, sorry for this experienced and once successful gentleman in his fifties, being now unemployed for some years and struggling to find new challenges. I had only one thought afterwards – how not to become so rigid and outdated myself?

The answer came during the recent Agile event, that took place in Tallinn. „Either you change, or you will be consigned to history “– said one of the speakers. Change is inevitable. You cannot stay competitive enjoying comfort zone and familiar solutions forever. Practices and knowledge working well twenty, ten, five or even a couple of years ago may not be applicable anymore. Constant learning and adaptivity is a key for not becoming outdated. Thus, it’s time for the new skills. Visual thinking techniques are next topic on my table waiting for the investigation.