From the Trenches: Lessons in Generational Diversity
By Carolyn A. Martin, Ph.D.
During a recent state government conference, I watched an impeccably dressed woman walk into the exhibition hall. With slumped shoulders and an exhausted expression, she headed for the coffee line. I quickly discovered that "Janice" was a dedicated Baby Boomer who serves as economic development manager for a city that is $26 million in debt. She explained that older generations, who have lived in her community for 40 to 50 years, were resisting any change that would spur their economy. And younger people didn't want to get involved in city government, much less move into the area. Aside from the energizing college interns that were already working with her, Janice wanted to know, "How can I get more young people involved?"
Moments before, I had chatted with a Gen X administrative assistant from a nearby town who had an answer. "Colleen" had steamrolled into a City Hall position a year ago, and immediately started stepping on toes -- getting funding to train at-risk youth how to build houses; applying for a multi-million dollar grant from HUD to fix the city sewer system; lobbying to start the sewer project downtown rather than in the neighborhoods. She reasoned, "If we're going to revitalize our economy, we can't have 100-year-old pipes leaking on Main Street. The neighborhoods just have to wait."
She didn't know, however, that she was causing a ruckus until seasoned staffers complained to her manager that this upstart wasn't going through the "proper channels." Luckily, her manager was supportive, even gleeful, because the young dynamo was accomplishing in one year what others hadn't in ten years. Colleen concluded her story with conviction: "I can't be stopped by prehistoric thinkers. We have important work to do."
So, I introduced the committed, idealistic Boomer to the get-out-of-my-way Xer, because that's how change is going to happen: Change leaders of all ages coming together, sharing skills and experience, stepping on toes, knocking down walls, and seizing opportunities to get great work done together every day. And that's also the key to generational diversity: People of all ages recognizing their differences, discussing their common values, leveraging their strengths, and focusing on important work.
Our new Managing the Generation Mix™ training materials will help you:
* Re-energize your multi-generational team
* Engage members in leveraging their strengths, skills, talents, and expertise
* Master the three core competencies required to get the best work out of the best people every day
For a free preview of our training materials, call us or visit our website.
|
Winning the Talent Wars® |
91st Edition - October 18, 2002 COPYRIGHT, RainmakerThinking, Inc.® http://www.rainmakerthinking.com |
|
Susan Ciemniewski, Managing Editor
E-mail: susanc@rainmakerthinking.com Ph: 203.772.2002 x100 |
Subscribe to the newsletter
Back issues of the newsletter Download PDF version |
Our keynote speakers
Our training programs |