My boss is 60 and drives me crazy. My last boss was 54 and equally as annoying.
Surely it’s all about me and my bad attitude?Recently a consultant (FYI: age, 47) was hired to evaluate my firm and surprisingly validated the problems I had with my antiquated and disrespectful management. It was liberating to have an outside professional spout the same criticism I have because at this point I am bitter and have lost my initiative.
These validations got me to thinking: what’s the right way to fix this gen. Y/baby boomer hate?
The first step is admitting there’s a problem.
The changes occurring in the workforce are undeniable and age gaps are creating conflicts with the old and the new. As a young worker I am extremely discouraged by the limitations that I am placed in. The entry level games and hierarchy, my unwillingness to participate in it and how my age is often used to undermine my performance. The stubbornness in generation Y is also resented by those that came before and bit their tongues, earning their keep as expected. Theses superiors don’t trust their younger coworkers and won’t relinquish any control, which in turn causes temper tantrums in a generation that doesn’t believe their age holds them back, nor does it determine their rights. It’s a simple case of both wanting their own way, not realizing that they could be much more fruitful together then apart.
Sorry Grandpa, technology trumps the 9-5.
Today’s youth have been raised on the technological advancements that earlier generations commonly ignore. Whether it is from ignorance, intimidation or choice. Yes, there are many in the older crowd that have adapted and would give the fastest texters a run for their money, but for the most part, they are not hip to what’s hot on the tech circuit. The advantages that come with computer and technological savvy are immeasurable, yet so often, baby boomers continue typing with two fingers and snubbing the “The Four Hour Work Week”. With these skills comes the ability to do things faster, with greater ease, resulting in an increase in productivity and still it seems many want to work harder, not smarter. All because it’s what they know.On the other side, the gen Yer’s have always had this technological luxury - at least early enough for it to be a staple in their lives - and with that comes the freedom to work and do with a flexibility that once could not exist. I could probably do more in one hour then most baby boomers could in two. And it’s not because they aren’t capable of it, they just don’t utilize and comprehend the available resources as I do; they haven’t spent the last ten years of their life engulfed by it. But when you wear the Partner’s pants and since change is hard, it’s a lot easily to keep things the way they are.
Survival of the fittest: if you don’t adapt, you die.
Old fashioned and outdated is exactly what this workforce has become.
People weren’t designed to work as we are in today’s era. Maybe fifty years ago this model fit perfectly, but today it just hinders the most efficient employees when creating a good product or service. The rules, regulations and structure are suffocating and instead of optimizing your employee’s time it actually smothers creativity and loyalty. If some days I had an extra hour of sleep I would not only be healthier, but would spend more days doing something valuable as opposed to pattering around the office, drinking coffee and hoping that if I look busy I’ll be left alone. Unfortunately, that and me “showing up on time” is more important, more professional, and apparently more logical. What’s that? Why should I be able to do get that extra hour? Because If I do my work my way, I can get it done faster and more then satisfactory. I know what is best for me to optimize my own self, not you. I can do an eight hour day of work in probably five or six (as many of us can), and we all know those other few are usually spent as small breaks in which you appear working but really your emailing, organizing, staring into space just waiting for it to trickle down to the end of day.Studies have shown that people work more efficiently under a time deficiency and during certain periods of the day, so why not use science to increase your bottom line, instead of trying to redefine human nature?
It’s all pretty foolish.
Oh yeah, and old and tired.
The perfect marriage.
Baby boomers and other industry old-timers are indispensable (the good ones that is, you know who you are). The wisdom of age and experience is irreplaceable and when those that have something to teach embrace the youthful vigor and casual nature of their younger coworkers, together they could make such an incredibly powerful couple.
Let’s experiment, shall we?
Imagine the wisdom you know you’ll have at sixty-five, eighty five or even a hundred.
Now imagine that wisdom at work in your twenty-five year old body.
Now imagine the things you could’ve done.
That’s why right now we are in a place of great opportunity. When could we be so blessed to have a determined, savvy and advanced group of young individuals be paired with some of the best thinkers who have not only paved a path of success, but are mostly responsible for the empowered youth they resist!?We can learn something from each other, as we all can, in life, not just in work. As someone on the young side, I can do my best to fight for change or to share what I can, but it goes both ways. As those mostly in positions of power, children of the past not only hold the cards to make the transitions sweeter but you are responsible for what we could be. You can also use the office rug-rats to keep you up on what’s current, because if you want to stay relevant you better be willing to learn.
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