Is your age an asset?

I can do tech, but honestly, paper and pen is my favorite.

Part of enrolling in an innovative, tech-oriented business communication program included an interview with the lead instructor.

I knew, without a doubt, that I was significantly older than all the other students. Most of the time, something like that doesn’t bother me.

But this time?

Maybe it was the content—cutting-edge, data-driven, fast-paced—or maybe it was the sleek confidence of the people in the room. Whatever it was, I felt my self-assurance slipping. Suddenly, I was acutely aware of my age, my comfort level with technology, and the narrative running wild in my head.

Self-conscious at the ready-to-bolt level.

When we sat down, she could tell I was uncomfortable.

I explained my concern about the demographics inside the workshop. I admitted that I felt anxious about whether or not I had enough technical experience to keep up.

Did I belong?
Was I good enough?
Was I too old?

She listened. Then she smiled.

“You bring decades of professional and personal experience to this program,” she said. “You have more wisdom to offer than anyone else here. You’re just learning the mechanisms of what I do.”

Then she added something I’ll never forget:

“Your age is an asset.”

And just as I was beginning to breathe again, she asked me the most important question any coach has ever asked me:

“Why are you rejecting the best part of yourself?”

That question changed me.

Because in that instant, I realized how subtly—and how often—we diminish the value of what we’ve earned over time. We confuse being “current” with being “worthy.” We assume that what’s shiny and new is inherently more relevant than what’s seasoned and grounded.

But the truth is, our perspective, patience, and depth of understanding are the advantages of experience. We’ve lived through enough cycles to know that what’s trending isn’t always what’s lasting.

We have to stop self-segregating based on age.

We have to stop stepping back when we should be leaning in.

Our presence in the room isn’t a courtesy—it’s a contribution.

At Furthermore, this is at the heart of what we believe: that the years we’ve lived aren’t liabilities; they’re leverage. They’re the proof of our resilience, adaptability, and wisdom.

So if you find yourself hesitating—wondering if you still belong in rooms filled with younger voices or newer ideas—remember this: you are not behind. You are the continuum.

Your age is not what holds you back. It’s what holds you up.