At the risk of simplification, I suggest that the problem is not only “age discrimination. Instead, I think the barriers may be created by the generations with which people identify and allow themselves to be identified with.

Many young people with whom I’ve worked have bought into the value system of their Gen X siblings or Boomer parents – they are too self-centered to succeed in the New Age of Social Networking & Responsibility. While they grew-up with technology, they are not comfortable using it in ways that promote their vision, their brand, and their colleagues.

Similarly, many Gen X’ers and Boomers replicate the behaviors of Traditionalists – they prefer a “Command and Control” organizational structure and expect subordinates to maintain their network through old-school communication tools. A good example of this is John McCain – a Vietnam Veteran whose brand resonated with “The Greatest Generation,” those who fought in WWII.

We can’t change our chronological age, but we can move fluidly between generations, accepting characteristics of each that are relevant to our current vision and brand.