The generational mix and the magic it brings.

Your people

1 Mar

Written in 2018 this post was an attempt to put some context around the conversations about different generations at work. The issue or the conversations haven’t gone away and we know way more than I did back in 2018. This is still a good starting point.

I don't want to be put into a box, so tend to avoid doing the same to others. Whether the 'box' is my gender, my profession, my ethnicity or my age and the generation I belong to (Gen X by the way). Try as we may we make assumptions and presumptions based on these categories.

The age and the generation of the people who are frontline nurses right now are very different to mine. Are the values and beliefs I hold about my profession, the purpose and attitude to work the same? If not, does it matter? The more I listened and talked the more I realised I needed to dig into this and to help me work the best with everyone. And why when I was told I was a millennial wannabee did that mean to me.

First up, finding agreement on the years that split the generations wasn't that straightforward. Below is the simple summary - for loads more infographics and summaries take a look here.

Baby Boomers 1946 - 1964
Generation X 1965 - 1980
Millennials 1981 - 1996
Gen Z 1997 - 2012

In Don’t Worry About the Robots, intergenerational work surfaced as a key part of the future of work. In the chapter 'Knowing Yourself' they provide a summary of the generations, acknowledging that the world experiences each generation has had influences and shapes values and beliefs. So understanding your place in the world is the first step. So how do we all interconnect, relate, work, learn, share and so on....The future of work is changing and different generations have different views on how to find success.

When I want to dig into a subject or topic to share with you I have a couple of first stop places. It certainly isn't a traditional academic search for information but I've never suggested this was - and heh - I am no Jedi after all.

TED is always a good go-to, and this talk by Chip Conley caught my eye - particularly as it builds the difference in our ages into the concept of diversity in our workplaces. For the first time ever there are five generations working together - what does that mean for us and how can we make the most of it? What are the skill sets we all bring to the table - or the ward?

Simon Sinek has spoken and written, particularly on the subject of Millennials in the workforce so he was my next stop. Here is his interview from 2016 on millennials in the workplace for you (or the short summary click here ). The assumption is that millennials are entitled, lazy, self-interested and tough to manage. Simon Sinek goes on to describe this in broader terms, understanding what is behind some of the beliefs and what organisations and millennials can do.

However, it's not that straightforward (of course - when is it ever), so here is some balance. What Simon Sinek got wrong about millennials in the workplace. Further commentary here suggests a misunderstanding and superficial generalisation of millennials.

Whether you agree with Simon Sinek or not, having the conversation matters. I do think the comments about social media and phone use are really important for us to get to grips with as a species - nothing to do with generations. I love my cellphone and have to really work at keeping the relationship with it in the 'healthy' zone.

So I don't have answers or suggestions from this point, but I certainly have a better understanding of the different generations and that has given me a starting point for what I need to do, change, and consider, in how I work and bring out the best in the people I work with.