E-Tips: Multi-Generational Solutions Archives

Boomers and Gen Y: Can We Achieve Mutual Admiration?

All the generations want more respect from the others. Below are things I think are under-appreciated. Recognizing them can help to build bridges.

WHAT BABY BOOMERS NEED TO LEARN TO APPRECIATE ABOUT GENERATION Y

“Success skills” (don't call them “soft”) often learned in school that recent grads bring to the workplace:

Ability to function on four or five hours of sleep and work late to complete projects
Connecting with clients through new technologies (social networking online, creating web pages, blogs, etc)
Collaboration and conflict resolution skills from working in groups
Ability to work in a team environment
Working with “people of difference” – a very broad vision of diversity
Well researched on facts and gossip from the web (on firms, competition, on products, etc.)
Knowing the value of networking

WHAT GEN Y NEEDS TO APPRECIATE ABOUT BABY BOOMERS

While there is still so much farther to go, the Boomers made the culture of firms much more diverse than before.
As a group, Boomers are in a sort of confused or ambivalent state between how things were (professions as “professions, not “businesses,” more security and long-term affiliations, etc.) and how they are (more cutthroat; less secure, free agency). The rules were changed on them; and now they find themselves changing the rules while simultaneously hanging on to traditional ways.
As the generation still in charge, Boomers' heavily invested careers are on the line. They need to develop faith in new models: business models; models of behavior; and models of governance. They need to believe that levels of productivity and professionalism can be maintained while doing things differently. In other words, they are not congenitally against anything new.

BONDING BABY BOOMERS AND GENERATION Y/MILLENNIALS

There are good opportunities for bonding through common “wants.” Some of these are:

Desire for substantial responsibility and intellectual challenge.
Need to see the big picture on career paths. (The Boomers still want this.)
A sense of social consciousness; desire to give back and leave a legacy.
Desire for flexibility. This must be based on trust and merit and a willingness to be accountable.

Stretching beyond one's comfort zone is by definition both uncomfortable and a growth experience. Achieving mutual admiration will do wonders for working relations among the new and older generations and reduce costly turnover.

Phyllis

For coaching, training and special programs on inter-generational relations and maximizing the potential of young professionals, call Phyllis for an exploratory talk or complimentary coaching session at 212-593-1549. See www.pdcounsel.com/nextgen.html and www.pdcounsel.com/about.html. We also provide *Next Generation, Next Destination* transitioning planning programs and services for baby boomer senior professionals and their firms. www.nextgeneration-nextdestination.com

01/2008

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