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I have been in a management position for the last nine years. In other words, at 29 years old, I have more management experience than a large percentage of people quite older than I. Despite that fact, I continuously find myself in situations where I have to prove my knowledge and ability in a senior management role based upon an initial assumption that am unqualified for it. It used to infuriate me that I was always the underdog, fighting vigorously to defend my position. However, I’ve learned that it is much more entertaining to just sit back, eat a few bon-bons, then catch someone by total surprise when they are least expecting it. I find the humor in this a significant return on all the years I had to work so hard to prove my ability. Now, please excuse me while I attempt to stop gagging and wipe the scowl from my face.
I tell you that not to convince you of my brilliance, but simply to explain that I avoid bringing attention to my age, or the fact that I am the youngest person on our executive team by more than a decade. However, this week I was caught in a weak moment as we were discussing plans for an upcoming event.
ME: I think we should play Plinko, it would be an easy way to extend our prizes through the night and something to get people excited and engaged.
UNIDENTIFIED COWORKER: What is Plinko?
ME: What? You don’t know what Plinko is? It is the game that they used to play on the Price is Right.
(blank stares from a room full of colleagues)
ME: Price is Right, always on weekdays 11:00 a.m. I loved the days I stayed home from school and I could watch it.
(Silence)
(More silence)
UNIDENTIFIED COWORKER #2: Well, I don’t think that the Price is Right was on when I was young enough to be staying home from school. No, in fact, I’m quite sure I was working while you were at home watching Price is Right.
Damn.
Perhaps Monday I will show up with my Trapperkeeper and excuse myself for naptime after lunch.
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14 comments:
I know exactly what you mean. I used to work at UPS. I was there for 6 years and I was at the bottom rung of management. At 23 years old, I was supervising people twice my age. It's not easy to convince someone who is 50 years old that the idea you have is a good one and that you do, in fact, know what you are talking about.
I think the underdog is an incredibly powerful position, actually.
CHECK OUT YOUR NEW HEADER. RAHRWW! gawgeous.
So funny. I loved Plinko too. I also love my trapper keeper. Although it is too large to keep in my stylish purse anymore. I keep it in the back of my SUV.
love the new look.
Now wait a minute, hasn't the Price is Right been on for like 50 yrs - literally? Unless these co-workers are 95 yrs old - they should be very aware of the PiR and of Plinko. It sounds like they were just giving you a hard time - typical of old people who don't trust young people.
love the new header- i was in management at a young age too so can relate to this post for sure x
Ha! Next time you have to get something from your car, you should say, "Oh, hold on, I think I left that in the basket of my banana seat bike."
Although I was thinking along the same lines as SZ--that show's been on forever.
Cute new blog design!
Cute new design! I also am usually the youngest in my department, field, whatever. People say they started working at ABC Organization in 1981 and I was like, "um...I was born that year!?"
Oh Lyndsay, I was you for many years starting about 10 years ago. Very young, and managing staff a little older. Makes for interesting and that almost power struggle of trying to prove myself.
Finally, finally I've worked very hard to obtain the #2 position and I'm not the 'young' one anymore. (Damn :)
Oh, and if you want, I got my trapperkeeper if yours doesn't fit right with the gang :)
wow, look at your new look. I held a management position once, at age 30, and hated it, ha. I rather be a one man show!
Good lord, how old ARE those people? The Price is Right came on the air in 1956!
I'm not only young, I'm also female in a very male-dominated industry and male-dominated field. Also, I'm an ex-Yankee in the South so I'm completely screwed.
Still, if it gets me naptime, I'll admit to just about anything. Make sure you bring your Smurf lunchbox!
Hey -- WOW! I like the new design! I clicked on over and was like "WOW! What the heck!" I'm always changing things around on my blogs -- I think it is so fun!
Anyway, that was so funny! But really, wasn't the Price Is Right on forever???? I mean, I'm 41 (older than you, Miss Not Even 30) and I remember the Price Is Right. How old are these people you are working with? Do you work with Larry King?
I like you, Lyndsay. That is exactly a move I would have made while I was still working. I would like to think that someone in that meeting knew about Plinko was, they were just not "man" enough to admit it.
Great post! It even convinced me to add us as your follower. See, isn't it all worth it now?
-Wenda
Seriously...Who doesn't know Plinko? Maybe it isn't that they are too old but perhaps the cave they have been living in did not have cable???
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