Maybe You're Not Behind. Maybe You're Just a Late Bloomer.

For most of my life, I believed success had a deadline. Somewhere along the way, I picked up the idea that if you hadn’t “made it” by your thirties, or at least given a TED Talk, written a bestselling book, or appeared on a magazine cover, you had missed your chance. We love to celebrate young talent, but not the journey. We create “30 Under 30” lists but rarely publish “57 Over 57.” The cultural scoreboard rewards those who succeed early, suggesting that everyone else simply made a wrong turn.

Looking back, I see how much pressure that mindset put on me. My career hasn’t followed a straight path. I’ve switched industries, reinvented myself, returned to school in my fifties, and taken paths that probably seemed confusing to others. There were times when it felt like everyone else had received a guide while I was still searching for the entrance. At that point, those detours felt like proof I was falling behind. Now, they look more like preparation.

That’s why David Brooks’ writing in the Atlantic on late bloomers struck a chord with me. He argues that the qualities our culture often overlooks, curiosity, resilience, varied interests, and the willingness to fail repeatedly, are often the very traits that lead to meaningful success later in life. It made me wonder if we’ve mistaken early achievement for lasting contribution. The person who climbs the ladder fastest isn’t always the one who makes the biggest difference. Sometimes, those who spend years exploring, struggling, and changing course quietly gather experiences that turn into wisdom.

I’ve noticed something similar in the leaders I admire most. Very few had perfect résumés. Most have chapters they’d like to skip: jobs that didn’t work out, businesses that failed, moments of self-doubt, and unexpected changes they never planned. Those experiences didn’t derail them; they enriched them. Failure taught them empathy. Curiosity made them flexible while time gave them perspective. Those are qualities no promotion can speed up.

Maybe that’s one of the hidden benefits of getting older. You stop worrying so much about keeping up with someone else’s timeline and start asking if you’re becoming the kind of person your younger self would need. Success begins to feel less like finishing first and more like being ready when you finally arrive.

So, if you’ve ever felt behind, you might be measuring yourself against the wrong clock. Life isn’t a race where everyone hears the same starting signal. Some stories need more chapters before they finally make sense, and sometimes, the most interesting people aren’t those who bloomed first; they’re the ones who never stopped growing.

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Until next time, stay curious. Be kind. Build better communities & workplaces.
— Devin

This newsletter explores the psychology of work, leadership, and what it means to be human in a world that’s moving faster every day.

My full-time work is helping organizations build healthier cultures through research-backed keynotes, leadership programs, and consulting. Every article you read here is connected to conversations I’m having with leaders around the country.

If your organization is wrestling with burnout, connection, trust, culture, or leading through change, let’s talk. I’d be happy to learn more about your team and see if I can help.