Growing Forward: When Uncertainty Becomes Your Guide

Anndine Dippenaar
Aug 21
4 min read

After seventeen years in my profession, I still have days where I wonder if I truly know what I'm doing. As a woman in a male-dominated field, this is very unsettling. Lately, I've also had moments where a junior colleague has shared an insight that made me completely rethink my approach, or where a recent graduate has introduced me to a tool that transforms how I work. Now I’m even more unsettled that these youngsters may be showing me up!

The Evolution of Expertise

We've been conditioned to think that professional growth follows a linear path: we start knowing little, gradually accumulate knowledge and experience, and eventually reach a state of confident expertise. But the reality of modern professional life tells a different story. The pace of change means that experience, while valuable, doesn't guarantee we have all the answers. Sometimes the person who's been in the field for two decades needs to learn from someone who's been there for two years.

This shift requires us to redefine what professional maturity looks like. It's not about having all the answers – it's about having the wisdom to recognise good ideas regardless of their source and the humility to keep learning from everyone around us.

Why Younger Colleagues Bring Essential Value

Those early in their careers offer something that experience alone cannot: fresh eyes, unencumbered thinking, and often, cutting-edge knowledge. They haven't yet learnt what's "impossible" or "the way things have always been done." They're not weighed down by assumptions that may no longer serve us.

Younger professionals also bring digital fluency that many of us are still developing. They understand emerging technologies intuitively; spot trends we might miss; and often have insights into how different generations communicate and consume information. These aren't just "nice to have" perspectives – they're essential for staying relevant and effective.

Moving Beyond Intimidation

It's natural to feel threatened when someone with less experience challenges our approach or demonstrates skills we lack. The voice in our heads might whisper, "Shouldn't I know this already? Am I falling behind? What does this say about my expertise?"

But what if we reframed these moments? Instead of seeing them as threats to our competence, we can view them as opportunities for growth. The colleague who's fluent in new software isn't making us obsolete – they're offering us a chance to expand our capabilities. The team member who questions our established process isn't undermining our authority – they're helping us examine whether that process still serves us.

This mindset shift requires intentional practice. When we feel defensive, we can pause and ask, "What can I learn here?" When we feel intimidated by someone's skills, we can explore: "How might their perspective enhance what I already know?"

The Generational Exchange

Each generation brings distinct advantages to professional environments. Those with decades of experience offer perspective on long-term patterns, relationship-building skills, and the wisdom that comes from navigating multiple economic cycles and industry changes. They understand nuance, can anticipate consequences, and provide stability during uncertainty.

Younger professionals bring adaptability, enthusiasm for innovation, and often a more inclusive worldview. They're comfortable with ambiguity, quick to embrace new tools, and unafraid to challenge status quo thinking. They ask different questions and see different possibilities.

The magic happens when these perspectives combine. When seasoned judgement meets fresh innovation. When deep experience informs bold experimentation. When traditional wisdom guides technological advancement.

Practical Strategies for Cross-Generational Learning

Practice curious questioning. Instead of immediately explaining why something won't work, ask, "What if it could work? What would that look like?" This opens space for exploration rather than shutting down new ideas.
Create reverse mentoring opportunities. Formally or informally, pair experienced professionals with newer team members for mutual learning. Let them teach you about emerging trends while you share strategic insights.
Acknowledge different strengths openly. When a younger colleague brings a skill you lack, celebrate it. "I love how quickly you grasp this technology," or "Your perspective on this is exactly what we needed."
Share your learning journey. Be transparent about what you're learning and from whom. This normalises continuous learning and shows that growth doesn't stop at any career stage.
Ask for help without apologising. Replace "Sorry, I'm not good with technology" with "Could you show me how that works?" The first reinforces a fixed mindset; the second embraces growth.

The Way Forward

As we observe Women's Day, let's commit to modelling a new kind of professional leadership – one that values growth over certainty, collaboration over hierarchy, and continuous learning over static expertise. Let's show that true professional confidence comes not from having all the answers, but from being secure enough in our value to remain open to new perspectives.

The future belongs to professionals who can bridge generational divides, who can combine experience with innovation, and who understand that in a rapidly changing world, the ability to learn is more valuable than any fixed body of knowledge.

The next time you feel uncertain or encounter someone whose skills intimidate you, remember: this isn't evidence that you're falling behind. It's evidence that you're in an environment rich with learning opportunities. Your willingness to embrace those opportunities – to learn from colleagues of all ages and experience levels – isn't just good for your career. It's essential for staying relevant, effective, and engaged in professional life.

As a 53% women-owned QSE, this Women’s Month, we're proud to announce that most of our articles feature the brilliant women of GBS- trusted experts and inspiring thought leaders in the workplace and beyond. Reach out to the right consultant for your needs via their profiles here.

Join us at the Annual Labour Law Update. This year's theme is Labour Law at the Crossroads: Adapting to Change in an Uncertain Economy and with Massive Labour Law Reform Impacting Case Law. What you'll gain: