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Pop Quiz: 1) How many generations do you think are currently working in the workforce? A) Three B) Four C) Five There are FOUR generations working together. 2) Can you name them? (No worries, unlike school, this quiz won’t be graded.)
We are all a reflection of the occurrences that we have experienced, and they can shape us. My generation, Generation X, lived through the Challenger explosion, Desert Storm, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and we were probably the last generation to grow up without a cell phone. We’re a hybrid generation of analog and digital. We had Walkmen, CD players and iPods. All of this leads us to be seen as technologically savvy, whereas Generation Z is seen as digital natives. They don’t remember a time before Google or instant access to information. AOL dial up.. who? These common experiences can lead to the stereotypes that the generations are known for. I’m sure we’ve all heard stereotypes about each of these generations. We may even have uttered some of them ourselves. Most of these stereotypes are just misunderstandings and misgivings.
Although it can be easy to rely on stereotypes when dealing with people who are different than us. We only really get to know someone when we look beyond what we think we know. So instead of bemoaning your Gen Y colleague who leaves promptly at 5, ask for tips on how to ensure that you have a proper work/life balance. Instead of complaining that your older manager won’t “get with the program and email” understand that there is a benefit to face to face communication.
We are not all the same, and what a boring world it would be if we all were. Comments are closed.
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