Grey Hairs – Generation gaps working together
Relationships young people have with their parents and coaches mirror age diversity happing in the work place. There are lessons for all to learn. Children are born in to a, “World of Grey.” Young workers are entering a, “World of Grey.”
“Older people don’t Twitter, they don’t like a good challenge and they definitely don’t warm to change.” This is the easiest way to under estimate your parents and older colleagues.
The work place is aging. People are pushing off retirement during tough economic times. The growth of generational diversity in the workplace is @ an all time high in our society, so it will take patience and understanding; no different than the growth of a child. The economic downturn and people taking better care of their bodies are the reasons. Energy levels along with zest for life and work causes people to want to contribute beyond the magic age of sixty-five (65).
Young people entering a World of Grey learn quickly that all of our lives are a work in progress; a never-ending search for Peace of Mind. Whether work or life, we should mine the wisdom and build ties in a respectful, genuine manner. Older people with a passion for people, work and life are still yearning to learn and willing to change. Young people tend to think they don’t. The new breed of Grey says, “My brain isn’t turned off; I’m not an old dog that can’t learn new tricks. We never arrive in life.” Parents get wiser as kids get older; thus the reason why grand parents seem so wise and smart.
Assumptions aside, younger people shouldn’t focus on the fact their parents and colleagues are much older. The attention should be on what they have in common that will help them grow and get the job done. Keep relationships @ home focused on growth and relationships @ work focused on growing together through work.
One is thinking, “You are older than my Dad.” The other is thinking, “I have kids older than you.” This is awkward, but what you do have in common is work and the end result. Many older workers are miffed when younger people take on the job of boss and aren’t seen as having paid their dues; no different than young children spreading their wings while moving in to the age of independence. Older people need to keep contributing their body of knowledge while tapping in to the young person’s motivation for trying new things. People can benefit by being more open-minded by realizing that there is another process for reaching a goal more quickly.
“It’s great to be open minded, but not to the point where your brain falls out of your head.”
There is a sequence of events that govern growth in children and work force. The three levels of experience are Dependence, Independence and Inter-dependence.
“Success happens to those capable of graduating from Dependence to Independence to Inter-dependence. People and teams succeed when they reach the level of Inter-dependence.”
You don’t have to like what people believe and say, but you have to respect their intelligence, experience levels and right to believe and say it. Reach decisions in a way that respects and leverages the experiences of the really smart minds regardless of age. At the end of the day, whatever side of the gap you’re on, the bridge is always built with caring, love and respect that translate in to loyalty.
This is the way life; teams, work force, organizations and companies are built. This is how life works.
–ole gringo-
24621 So Clark Lake Rd P.O. Box 90 Nisswa, MN 56468-0090
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