Well, we can't "get over" being different. Whether the cultural differences are generational, racial, ethnic, or religious, they are undeniably real. Doesn't mean Boomers are over the hill or that Millennials are too "snotty" (to use a previous term) or that Gen Xers are not hard workers.
As in any other diverse setting, we need to understand our differences so that we don't misinterpret what they mean, and discover our commonalities, so that we can build on them. The human condition binds us all, but within that we are most diverse in a myriad of ways. We can't deny our differences if we want to minimize their effect on our lives.
Julie
of
@
Jan 28, 2009 14:11:24 PM
Right On
Andrew, your perspective is refreshing. As a boomer employer, with Gen-Y and Gen-X populating our small PR office, I love every one for what they bring to the table. We all know different things. And respect each other's knowledge, and lack of knowledge. We had a a fun conversation Friday about which of us knew what 45s or 33s or even 78s were. Some didn't know they were records. One didn't know what a record was. We laughed about whether the term album is still appropriate for a group of songs by one artist. (we all agreed it was)
Just a small, inconsequential example, but really indicative of why it's not only challenging, but fun, having the generations working side by side. Not worth being defensive about being old, young or squeezed in the middle.
Hilary
of CA
@
Jan 26, 2009 11:02:33 AM
Superb
I agree that different demographic groups can learn from each other.
Personal case in point...while attending grad school a few years back starting at age 41, I worked on some group projects with several classmates in their mid-20s.
We quickly learned that while I had a superior grasp of HOW to analyze, present and frame our discussions in the classroom setting, they had greater comfort using some of the newer technologies to enhance our presentations (i.e. imbedded Net video, etc.).
The resulting benefit was that our cases were deemed superior by our profs, as our willingness to combine our respective strengths simultaneously served to mitigate any individual weaknesses.
Bottom line is that the experience of working with older and younger folks in group settings is beneficial for EVERYONE!
Jim
of TN
@
Jan 21, 2009 17:50:43 PM
In addition to getting over exaggerating the differences between generations, I don't understand why the ones that do genuinely exist are usually used as emblems for competing teams. It would be refreshing if some career bloggers talked about what Gen Y could learn from X and vice versa rather than setting up this adversarial relationship. It's silly and well, it doesn't make work very fun.
Maybe it's because I was partially raised by my "Greatest" generation grandparents and haven't been at war with my sorta boomer mom. Or perhaps it's because, at 29, I straddle the line between Gen Xer and millenial. I have close friends that are 80 and 23. I think there's much to be learned from every generation.
Joselle
of NJ
@
Jan 20, 2009 17:17:09 PM
Bravo
Well said, Andrew -- and the sooner we get over this stuff, the better, because we're only hurting ourselves if we keep thinking that 55-year-olds are too old to be worth hiring, or that 25-year-olds are too snotty to be worth hiring. Besides, right now, everyone in the workplace has one thing in common: we are all going to need to work until we're 80 before we can retire!
jemgalla of CT @ Oct 29, 2009 06:20:15 AM
Julie of @ Jan 28, 2009 14:11:24 PM
Hilary of CA @ Jan 26, 2009 11:02:33 AM
Jim of TN @ Jan 21, 2009 17:50:43 PM
Joselle of NJ @ Jan 20, 2009 17:17:09 PM
Rebecca of PA @ Jan 20, 2009 09:52:05 AM
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