Generation gap: Working with younger workers
By: PrimeCB
Susan Peppercorn is a writer and the creative force behind Career Outside the Cube, a career advisory service. She worked for several years at Boston University’s School of Management with younger colleagues.
Susan has some ideas and tips for working with younger workers, and building relationships with them.
Be a mentor - Many of us had worked for one company for many years, and expected our loyalty to be rewarded. But Generation X/Y employees don’t share the same expectations. Offer to help a younger employee learn the ropes, and offer counsel if they are ready to make a move up or out of the organization.
In two cases, I helped coach younger employees for new job interviews. Both received the job offers, which happened to be outside of organization. I also kept the fact that I was helping them strictly confidential. Although we no longer work with each other, I remain in touch with both of them.
Find a reverse mentor: I asked a younger employee to teach me about social networking sites. Since I was responsible for building recruiting relationships between employers and the School, using social networking became an invaluable tool for me, and helped me build mutual respect with this individual.
Update your image: A touchy subject, but an important one. Some older employees often don’t realize that they’re still sporting styles from the 1980’s. It makes for a negative perception among younger employees, who tend to be more style conscious.
This may apply more to women then men, but I’ve also seen older men wearing “Steve Urkel” glasses or wearing outdated office attire. Be sure your wardrobe and appearance is up to date.
I also shared shopping tips with the Millennials in my office. This signaled my flexibility and willingness to collaborate.
Show Compassion: Although not technically a colleague, I worked with an MBA student from India whose father died while she was at school, leaving her an orphan. Because of our age differences, I was able to help her through the crisis, end even attended her graduation.
Just as we expect respect from our co-workers, we need to respect them and where they’re at on their career path.