Does experience really matter? Please, does diminishing marginal utility inhibit the marginal propensity to serve? Simply put; the more the experience, the less the personal drive to deliver. Does this add up?

I am a villager. I loved my grannies' fire-place stories. The older they became the more engaging and inspiring the apparently, inexhaustible tales. Our indefatigable grand parents left us craving for more.

The only other thing that becomes better with age, is wine. Is wine alcohol? Please do not mistake me. I have never tasted any hard drink.

Did you hear how very young revelers in Kenya wondered why lights went off in broad daylight only to realize too late that they had permanently lost their eye sights to their best choice; a lethal, illicit brew?

Ironically, the sober brewer argued with the victims confirming that it was only 09.30 am in the morning. The unlucky binge drinkers thought it was just a normal power black out. Their eyes gave up lighting up all the days of their lives, forever! They drank one more too many. What a tragedy at such an early age.

Age not withstanding, both the brewer and the victims' thoughts about light and darkness was right.

Contrastingly, old age though inevitable often shutters dreams. Efforts to communicate this vivid truth including my greatest frustration to Sam, my neighbor and my dear son, Levi was traumatizing.

Please to date, I still do not understand. Does a well fed, well trained German Shepherd refuse to work? Do dogs go on strike? At what age should a very loyal dog retire after a great invaluable service?

This quandary reminded me of Jasper, a worthy highly experienced practicing accountant. When asked what he does with new experienced staff recruits whose output appeared, initially, "below par" during their probation period, like a timed bomb he responded with a big bang...

"An experienced shepherd, eats the weak ones, period! Why continue feeding a loss?"

Another glaring symmetry of conflicting expectations begins showing. What a catch 22 paradox!

The big question is: Who gives what to whom when and for how long at what stage in employment?

Should employers expect too much, too soon from new experienced recruits?

What is the spirit and purpose of employee induction?

Apparently, age in terms of staff experience and level of seniority is very relevant. But remember the top executives' probation is in average six months! Oops. That sounds like a working holiday. It is not.

A spacecraft strategically circles earth's orbit severally to gain enough momentum before it is catapulted by earth's gravity to the intended trajectory. The rendezvous is a kin to absconding duty. It is not.

But should a recruit be anxious of proving themselves too early? Is the probation period long enough for the recruit to learn and begin adding value to the team? When does the axe fall?

Ceteris paribus, when is the right time to call it quits and exit probation with dignity?

Should the employee expect patience from the employer or vice versal. Both arguments may be right. Confusion is part of learning.

Ultimately, a decision must be made. But what comes first: Is it applying the rule of the jungle - survival for the fittest or the duty of care - feeding the cow before milking it?

Talk of milking the cow and immediately my mind recalls another case study succinctly told in my maiden publication; the 13th Professional Mindsets with a subtitle: Learn, leverage, change...

"The cow has refused!"

I told of a famous milk brand promotion advert on TV where a lady was seen milking a cow. She was upset that the cow apparently could not produce any milk . She was desperate.

“The cow has refused!!” said the visibly agitated lady.

The big question was: WHY did the cow refuse? The WHY mindset triggers innovation and creativity.

In this case, the possible strategic SWOT questions that quickly forms on the mind are:-

a)   What could have caused the cow not to produce milk?

b)   Is the cow hungry?

c)   Is the lady using the right tools?

d)   Is the cow healthy?

e)   How old is the cow?

f)    Was the cow past the lactating period?

g)   Is it time to replace the cow?

h)   Does the lady need expert advice?

i)    How long does it take the expert to arrive?

j)    What alternative means to use to get in the expert faster?

Curiosity stimulates learning, the urge to find the root cause of the problem. Leadership influences change to remedy the situation.

It takes initiative and intentionality to proactively involve, inquire, gather information, analyze, evaluate and choose the right option.

Progressively, proactively and strategically, the most efficient and effective option is chosen and implemented in a timely manner.

The 13^th professional skillfully or intuitively leverages previous experience in interpreting the information on why, how, when, who when to make informed decisions that results in a formidable solution.

Some situations may not require too much skill or expertise but it takes an inquisitive mind to ask the relevant questions that befits the prevailing circumstances.

All these processes are at best done simultaneously. In a fraction of a second, the remedy is in place.

And that is when the tyranny of symmetrical thoughts, if well managed, becomes an invaluable resource with diverse perspectives to tap from.

In Zibrah Code, the puzzle of polarized decisions is well articulated with both options pulling in opposite directions. This, if not well managed, results in anxiety and strife. Naturally, pregnancy must go full term.

Projections, at 3QT speed, resulting from diverse employee-employer expectations sets in. The symmetry of opposites that cannot persuade each other starts showing like a trending movie. The more forceful one sides argues, the more rigid the other becomes.

Each side believes that it is responding to the other. In reality, both are responding to the same geometric conditions. They are no longer oriented towards learning. They are oriented towards defense.

If this is left unchecked, belief approaches the extreme on either side even as belief systems exhibit mirror symmetry. This is not a coincidence. It is a warning sign. This is the final moment when intervention remains possible.

When belief systems begin to resemble their opposite, angle lock is approaching. The system is preparing to close. Contrastingly, what looks like opposition is geometrical proximity.

There is no moral distance between the parties. They are only structurally adjacent. The parties can reach each other to intentionally understand and address the root cause often fully aware that some damages are beyond repair.

Leadership takes over and directs phased or full implementation and control of the processes through a well-defined feedback mechanism that addresses observed variances, efficiently and cost effectively.

Please pardon me for telling so many stories about human beings and work, a cow with no milk and the Zibrah Code. It was intentional. I have been trying to gather courage to tell it all... My dog refused to bite!

You see, for over ten years, my family enjoyed top notch and quite uninterrupted security courtesy of Deda, a dreaded canine and the best, well trained German Shepherd descendant that ever lived with us.

The other day I was forced to demote Deda, the ever trusted, loyal and fierce security superintendent to a mere pet. I could not believe it. How could a loved, well fed, well trained German Shepherd suddenly become too friendly even to strangers!

Sam, my neighbor, thought that the demotion was indeed a promotion. My son, Levi, felt that Deda simply lost his job.

The symmetry of diverse thoughts is as clear as daylight. The same truth, different perceptions.

Please, does age matter? Hey there. Is it true that the more the experience, the less the personal drive to deliver expected results and benefits?

You see, Deda, my well trained dog had accumulated a wealth of very good experience. But why the sudden change in attitude?

I really miss Deda in his original, uncompromising self. Should the retirement age be reviewed? Please,

when is the right time to call it quits and retire with dignity? I bet this was Deda's silent plea.

In this era of AI and robotics should retirement be an employee's or an employer's prerogative?

Either way, I am glad Deda has a place called home to retire in. Age is just a number. I rest my case.