Who Says You Need to be Old to be Wise?

As I continue to interview managers for my new book, Common Sense by Friday, I have been struck by the number of creative ways those under thirty are using technology to overcome daily challenges. One manager I interviewed spoke of a young mechanic who, when faced with a problem he can’t solve, texts his other mechanic friends for suggestions. Since he works by himself, he can’t ask the wizened mechanic next to him. The individuals he consults may be people he knows from a class he attended. They may be people he’s met at the parts store. They may be people he’s connected with on Facebook. In each case, they exchange contacts and become part of an ever-expanding electronic brain trust. It is second nature for digital immigrants to use their own experience as the primary source of expertise. But digital natives turn to what they know best. That is the web.