Which are you? Be honest… the most important thing is to understand yourself and then build on your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. Given that GenY (those born 1980-1995ish) will make up 50% of the workforce by 2014… you might consider how you’re going navigate this change regardless of your age and experience.
Hannah Morgan (the career Sherpa) and I have a fun, powerful workshop called, “Taming the Know it All , 4 Generations at Work.” We share our experience in helping organizations understand that people are comfortable communicating in a certain way..it could be leaning over the cubicle wall, or by phone, email, text, etc. Most of us don’t think twice about what method would work best for the person we want to ‘talk’ to. Taking a moment to consider the “receiver” of the information can limit undue friction. A little thought and training can make a team more efficient, productive and cohesive.
In his blog, Embrace Disruption, Cory Stewart describes his journey; “In May 2012, I decided to make a change. I vowed to start accepting the chaotic nature of life, and embrace whatever challenges may come my way.” Cool Cory. I’m with you.
In his post titled, Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants, he wisely advises us to embrace inter-generational differences by ‘bending’, not dictating, focusing on balance and encouraging collective work. If this sounds a little too kumbaya for you then you are probably one of those people who’s afraid to change.
And if embracing disruption, thinking about changing my own attitude (one of the few things I CAN control) and being less stressed out are my goals then I’d better listen to Cory. He’s gonna help us make this work. Remember, its not about being right, it’s about being happy. Agree?
Image credit: simplysolo.com
Cory Stewart
July 11, 2012I agree 2068%, Deborah – but I guess that’s no surprise! Thanks for sharing, and for reading! It’s greatly appreciated!!
Deborah
July 11, 2012Cory, nice that we’re on this journey together. appreciate the company.
Carl Hoffman
July 13, 2012It is funny that I was having this conversation yesterday with a leader in my field. He was figuring our how to react to changes that will threaten his profession. My advice was simply we need to get out of the way. Since I am financially secure (I am 61) I can say things like that. We need to realize the next generation needs a chance to prove themselves. They do not need to play by our rules to do it either. A visit to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, Florida while looking at the painting “Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean” changed my life. It showed me that two diametrically opposed views can be both right and wrong depending on one’s perspective. I am in the group that creates and embraces change. Thanks for another great post. Yes, I agree and I am happy.