Legacy people

In the technology world we rapidly become familiar with the term legacy systems. This term is always accompanied by a grimace and a mental image of a world of expensive pain to move away from them. 


Sure, at the time they were implemented, they were the best, but now time and context has moved on...and often the business can't because we face the huge hurdle of moving from the legacy system. 


Speaking with a recruitment specialist today we discussed a term for the other oft-quoted problem for large organisations - legacy people. People who were once the best, the right person at the right time, but now are perceived as not quite what the company needs.


But what if we look at legacy and its positive meaning? 


A personal gift by Will. 


A body of persons sent on a mission. (the original 14c. meaning)


Just because someone is different from us, doesn't mean they don't have a gift or a mission to give to our team, our company. So often we look at older people at work as 'them', what if we feel that they are 'us'? 


What can we learn from their experience, relationships and advice? From their 'brand authenticity' that comes from 10 or 20 years of service? What happens if we have honest, adult conversations about how we can work together to build the business, acknowledging their background and situation and without fear? What awesomeness could we create? 

You? Do we have time for dialogue in an environment that is so pressured for rapid change, rapid profit. Is this kind of talking just not practical? Or have you had great experiences working with your whole staff, including the legacy ones?