In a world where age is just a number—or more accurately, a giant flashing neon sign above your head screaming "Overqualified"—we’ve arrived at a point where seniors, with decades of experience and knowledge, find themselves relegated to brewing coffee and running errands. But let’s be real. Is it really that bad? In today’s workplace, we seniors have become more like "interns" than the experts who lived, worked, and fought through multiple economic crises, political scandals, and every imaginable version of Windows (yes, including Vista).
So what has happened to us, the knowledgeable, the experienced, the ones who know what it takes to get a project from idea to reality? Well, we’ve landed in a world where it’s trendy to "crowdsource" answers on Google or ask an AI assistant for advice rather than consult someone who actually knows what they’re talking about. And here we are, proud, gray-haired, with the coffee maker in hand, trying to understand how we, who were once the brains behind successful projects, are now expected to fetch lunch.
Coffee – The Real Project Management
"But Christer, you know how to make coffee, right?"
Of course I do! Not only have I been brewing coffee for over forty years, but I’ve also navigated countless projects where coffee was the fuel behind the decisions. Coffee is practically the heartbeat of every efficient organization. Without coffee, there’s no productivity. And yet, it’s me who’s expected to take care of this sacred fuel that keeps the office people going, while the 25-year-old energy balls (who think a "filofax" is a new app) rush around as if the future of the world depends on their next PowerPoint presentation.
But here’s the thing: Coffee isn’t just about filling a cup. It’s about understanding proportions, timing, and knowing when the right moment is to offer it. Just like in project management, brewing coffee requires experience, timing, and attention to detail. It’s more than a function – it’s an art form.
And maybe that’s exactly why we seniors have been relegated to this role. Because who else can understand the significance of a perfectly balanced cup of coffee? Who other than us, the seasoned generals, would have the ability to know when it’s time for a break, when the team needs to recharge, and when it’s time to serve a cappuccino to calm the nerves?
The New Generation and Their Eternal "Google Moment"
"Christer, maybe you’re not so familiar with the latest trends in digitalization. Have you heard of 'blockchains'?"
Oh yes, I’ve heard of blockchains. I was there when the first mobile phones looked like bricks, and when the Internet was something you connected to through an ear-splitting modem. So blockchains? Yeah, we can talk about that if you want. But I’m pretty sure I’ve learned to navigate more complex situations than that. Like the time I organized an event for 1000 people without smartphones or social media to rely on. That, my friends, was real project management.
But despite my experience, I’m often treated like a fossil in this new, connected world. I mean, why would they ask me for advice when they have Google? It’s like believing a quick search can replace decades of experience. And yet, here we stand, with our impressive resumes and memories from when the fax machine was cutting-edge technology, reduced to being the office’s coffee masters and errand runners.
"Overqualified" – A Compliment or an Insult?
The biggest irony of it all? I’m overqualified. Thank you very much! That means I’ve done more than what’s expected. I’ve survived the toughest of work environments, navigated through financial storms, and still come out on the other side. And now I’m supposed to be grateful to be offered a role where I can show off my skills by carrying papers between departments?
A few years ago, I was the brain behind a successful campaign. I was the man who made large projects run smoothly and organized festivals and events that people still talk about today. But apparently, that’s no longer relevant. Because now we have a generation that’s learned "lean" project management, who believe agile methodology is the solution to everything, and that "brainstorming" means putting up post-its on a wall and pretending they’ve got it all figured out.
The Gray-Haired Wisdom’s Revenge
But you know what? It’s time for us, the gray-haired keepers of wisdom, to reclaim our place. Because we are not just an addition to the office coffee machine. We are valuable. We are the ones who know how to make the impossible possible – not just by googling, but by actually understanding the problems and finding solutions based on experience.
So when the next generation of IT managers (who were born the same year I learned to handle Excel) politely ask me to run an errand, maybe I should take the time to give them a lesson on how to really get things done. Because you know what? I’ve been there, I’ve done it, and I can still do it better than most of you – even if I happen to be the one making the coffee right now.
A Final Message from "The Intern"
So, while you’re rushing around trying to figure out the next big trend, think of us, the seniors, who are still standing strong. Because while you juggle Slack, Trello, and Zoom meetings, we know that sometimes it’s the good old experience that counts. And if you ever want some advice on how to really lead a project, you don’t need to search on Google. You just need to ask us, the knowledgeable seniors, who still have many good years left to give.
"Enjoy the coffee.
I brewed it with care"
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