“I Need Your Help…” A Great Way to Ease Multigenerational Woes
There are pundits who say there are no generation gaps. Others say it’s too wide a gap to mend. Of course there’s a gap, and yes, we can figure this out.
Part of the “gap” in generations is just biology. As we age and take on new responsibilities, we have a different focus. Twenty-somethings are at the beginning of the work curve and need / want different things than fifty-somethings. Thirty-somethings are hitting their stride. Forty-somethings are getting settled into their careers, finding their power. We are all at different places.
How do we find commonality and navigate this unique work environment with four or five decades represented? Three pieces of advice;
- Talk with each other
- Don’t jump to conclusions
- Ask for help…
I’m in the Hawaiian Islands on a speaking tour this week, working with groups on multi-generational issues. (Thus the delay in posting, my apologies…)
What we’ve discovered in our conversations is that people are more likely to support new situations if you ask them a simple question: “I wonder if you can help me…”
“Ms. Fifty-something, I know you’ve been here for several decades, and you have a treasure trove of valuable information. I wonder if you would be willing to mentor one of our twenty-somethings. It’s the best way to insure the legacy and traditions of our organization continue.”
“Mr. twenty-something, I know you’ve just graduated with some amazing information on new technology and systems that might help move our company forward. In order to do that, you’ll need some grounding in our mission, our business, and our vision. I would like to have you work with Ms. Fifty-something to do some information- sharing. She can help you gain a deeper understanding of our corporate culture, and you can help her think about new systems and technology to accomplish our goals going forward.”
“I need your help…”
Personally, I don’t think we have a generation gap — we have something deeper — we have a “respect-for-the-generations” gap.
What does each generation want? Easy: RESPECT. Ask for their input. Value their knowledge and experience. Use that information to make the company better at all levels. Find common ground. Find shared values. Value the different angles and ideas of all the groups. Everybody wins!
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and now…
I need YOUR help!
There is another Corporate Cowgirl out there. A wonderful woman by the name of Tamara Petterson. She’s going to be doing some things with this moniker. So I will be looking at a new name for my blog.
Let’s do a contest! Send your ideas for my new blog name.
Yes! There is a PRIZE!!! I will send a copy of my book 101 Ways to Make Your Life Easier to the person who comes up with the best, most clever, coolest name that I end up using. Plus, you’ll get your 15 minutes of fame and lots of recognition on this site!!!
Send in your ideas! I need your help!
Thanks!
Beth has written several times on the generations. Go here for more articles.
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© 2008 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc. All international and US rights reserved.
