A: Not as much as you think.
I was reading a quote the other day from John F. Kennedy, who in 1960 was battling perceptions in his presidential campaign that he didn’t have enough experience.
Experience, he said, “is like taillights on a boat which illuminate where we have been when we should be focusing on where we should be going“.
This quote got me to thinking about the value of experience in being a great leader, and my own struggles to overcome a perceived lack of experience in becoming a leader.
The bottom line for me is that while experience is a factor, it’s not as critical as it is commonly portrayed to be.
The best example is my own – I got my first leadership job at the ripe old age of 27, overseeing a company generating over $200 Million in annual revenue. Someone took a chance on me based on reasons that went beyond a “long” resume – it was based more on the hirer’s keen intuition of educational and cultural background, intelligence, character, personality, and above all, common sense.
And, I was REALLY focused on what was in front of me rather than what was behind. I also think he knew that I was bound and determined to justify the risk that he took on me.
I jumped in the pond, head first, and worked, and worked, and worked. This “fish out of water” helped build the company I managed into one that was later sold for a very healthy profit.
The funny thing was, once the company was sold and I was back looking for a similar opportunity, they were hard to come by. The reason? I didn’t have “enough experience“. I KNEW I could lead, but it seemed like what everybody wanted to focus on was tenure - like there was some magic number of years that I needed to have under my belt.
I eventually got back to a place I wanted to be (after a personal declaration of independence), but it only hardened my resolve to put experience in the proper perspective, especially in my own hiring practices.
And so as I’ve made management hires over the past 5 years, I too have done my utmost to use the same intuition my first boss did with me over 20 years ago. It has paid great dividends for our company, for there are several less “experienced” leaders doing a fantastic job for us.
As noted by Lois McMaster Bujold,
“Experience suggests it doesn’t matter so much how you got here, as what you do after you arrive.”
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Indeed.
And look at all the “experienced” poobahs who have made a real mess of things – daily headlines in biz and politics.
Perhaps it’s a bit more important to have heart and brains than that catch-all “experience.” After all, someone can have “30 yesrs of experience” – and it’s the same year over and over.
Thank you Terry. This is just the post that someone like me needs to see. Being younger and lacking “experience,” I feel that many (myself included) become somewhat complacent, because of the fear of trying to find that leadership role. We’re not afraid to pursue the role, but more afraid of lacking the experience that the role says you need to have.
It’s my hope that more companies take your approach and look beyond “experience.” It’s funny to look at many of the job descriptions in the local papers that call out 5-10 years management experience, for jobs that I feel I could handle on 2-3 years experience.
Great post Terry. Thank you.
Hi Mary and Eric – thanks, as always, for your comments.
Mary, anybody who can use “poobahs” in a sentence is peaches in my book!
Heart and brains indeed.
Eric, stay focused, personable, and persistent in your search – those companies are out there! Don’t be afraid to challenge perceptions; you can change them.
All the best to you both.
That’s a brilliant post Terry.
My view has always been ‘If you are good enough you are old enough’
I got a good job early – I was 21 when I found myself the most senior administrator for a 140 bed hospital – it was scary but I loved it! I grew up fast. Needless to say I made lots of mistakes. I like to feel that experience gave me much needed experience that I’ve hopefully used in my career.
William Pitt became the youngest Prime Minister of Britain in History in 1783 – he was 25 years old – now that is scary!
William Pitt said; “Yes I know I am young and inexperienced but it is a fault I am remedying every day.”
PS – Happy Christmas Terry and all your Blog readers!
I’ve always believed that leadership, at it’s marrow is the chronicle of judgment calls. Richard Nixon lost the presidency because of poor judgment, not experience. Experience is no guarantee of good judgment but it can inform judgment. Good judgement is therefore more important than experience.
Side thought: We have some politicians running for office on the basis of their experience but we have a few who have proven themselves through making proper judgement calls, even though they may not have ‘as much as experience’ as the others. I’d prefer the guy with better judgement over the one with experience.
Hi Herman, I’m certainly with you on this one – I agree good judgement is more important than experience. Thanks, as always, for stopping by and Happy New Year!
Experience a factor yes…but more important – a passionate desire to LEARN how to be a good leader.
Sometimes people are promoted because they do a great job, but have no experience in leadership….this is FINE…except that they will need to learn how to lead to be effective. So, if I were hiring a leader, I would look less to experience and more to the desire to learn to be a great leader and the ability to inspire others.
You obviously have that Terry. Too bad your former employer didn’t see it.
Warmly,
Donna Cutting
aka Gal Morale
Hi Donna! Thanks for the insightful comment. The ability to inspire is so critical for effective leadership- it really is a distinguishing factor in success or failure. All the best!
Great to read the experience you had,
All the best for sharing,
Tracy Ho
wisdomgettingloaded