Generations
From 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 staring 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 is 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 what did that mean to me.
First up, finding agreement on the years that split the generations wasn't that straight forward. Below is the simple summary - for loads more infographics and summaries take a look here
Baby Boomers 1946 - 1964
Gen X 1965 - 1976
Millennials 1977 - 1995
Gen Z Post 1995
Last week I was reading this book and wrote about knowing your values. The book brings in the generations into the discussion about 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 of 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?
I knew 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, understand what is behind some of the beliefs and what organisations and millennials can do.
However, it's not that straight forward (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, it's all perspective and opinions right? 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, consider, in how I work and bring out the best in the people I work with.
Dig a little deeper with these
Maybe it's a phone thing?
Millennials not being promoted?
Maybe put the laptops away
So you are younger than your direct reports
Younger and older executives need different things from coaching
A millennials secret to success
Boldly growing older
Nurses eating their young is what we do though
Another perspective on Simon Sinek and millennials
