by Kate Wendleton
Do's and Don'ts for All Ages
- Do keep your sense of humor. When the older
person mentions how the font size in the phonebook keeps getting
smaller, laugh about it. When the young person says, "In
my experience ..." about something where he or she has no
significant experience, let it slide.
- Don't stereotype. Young people are not all
alike, nor are all older workers. Some of the young workers are
smart, mature, good leaders, and good listeners. Some of the older
workers are ambitious, knowledgeable, energetic, and supportive.
Don't put each other in a box.
- Don't be afraid to discuss your concerns. Schedule
a meeting to discuss the issues. Try to work it out. Both sides
have a lot to gain by getting things out in the open.
Do's and Don'ts for the Younger Worker
- Do value those who work with you. Listen to
those who have been around a while: they have seen it before and
can save you from making mistakes.
- Do help your peers to grow.
- Don't try to assert control; Talk to people.
Leaders listen, make use of the talent they have at their disposal
and keep their promises. Give credit where credit is due.
- Don't set up conflict and try to show the older
worker up. Some older workers may be at your level, but are still
ambitious and want to get ahead.
Do's and Don'ts for the Older Worker
- Do learn new skills. If you don't learn new
things, the younger people in your office will run circles around
you. They'll get to manage the exciting new developments while
you are relegated to the old-fashioned, often lower-level work.
Change is the order of the day, and most bosses are obliged to
be trail-blazers. By resisting change and constantly comparing
the old ways to new ways, you'll get a reputation as a stick-in-the-mud.
- Don't maintain that you're "set in your
ways." The "ways" are changing. If you've been
in accounting for twenty years, for example, you know that computers
have changed everything. Change is not likely to slow down.
- Don't be condescending or sarcastic. Remember
that the younger people tend to move on more quickly, so you will
probably have more knowledge of what went on in the area before
your young peers arrived.
- Don't talk about "the good old days,"
or constantly talk about your arthritis. . . or the old TV shows.
. . or belittle "the kids" for not knowing something.
Such talk only widens the generation gap. Spend more time listening
than talking. Keep up with what's happening now.
- Don't meddle. Keep out of your co-worker's
business. Do your job and do it well.
The Result Should be Mutual Respect
It's an exciting economy, one which can use all
of the talent available. Respect what each person brings to the
party and make use of all of the resources an organization has.
We're all going to be here a long time. It's easier to be professional
when you recognize each other's talents and have respect.
For further information on the Five O'Clock Club
and it's many resources, click
here.
Kate Wendleton is the founder of The Five O'Clock
Club, a job-search strategy group that helps job hunters and career
changers of all levels. This article is courtesy of The Five O'Clock
Club. Copyright, The Five O'Clock Club. All rights reserved.
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