EMBRACING FLEXIBLE THINKING IS THE KEY TO CONTINUED SUCCESS
Over the past 15 or so years, there has been so many conversations about the differences between generations in the workforce. Much of this has been accusatory in nature with comments like, “They don’t have a good work ethic,” or “They don’t want to work,” when sharing thoughts on the younger generation’s attitude.
There are significant differences, and, in my view, these differences are not a lack of desire to work, just a difference in the level of satisfaction that a career should bring to the worker. Societal changes over these past years have allowed the younger generation to be more judicious in what they choose to do for a living. With the advent of higher education, greater wealth in both monetary terms and safety-net type benefits, expansive travel and of course, exposure to more cultural diversity than ever before in human history, options have grown.
It is not uncommon for people to now try out a job to see if it fits the pathway to happiness that they are searching for. That’s very different from the previous generations that had an upbringing that could have included following in parents’ footsteps or being pushed into a field that offered more financial stability than what parents had. No wonder many members in the older generations find the newer viewpoint strange. However, this is no stranger than the younger generations wondering how they could move forward with such limited choices.
One example of where this attitude can be beneficial is when a client hires a new person as a customer service rep. After a reasonable amount of time in the position where they received appropriate training and support, the person in question had a chat with their supervisor wherein they disclosed that they were intrigued by another department where the work was more technical. The client made the transfer work, and they ended up with an employee coming onboard that already knew their coworkers and the company procedures. In the end, if we all employ a little more flexible thinking, there is an upside to be found.
Flexible thinking is the key. It can be illustrated by how we approach choices. When you think of your options, do you think the options are this or that? This mindset exhibits rigid thinking. Flexible thinking is demonstrated by asking, if we could possibly have this and that?
The truth is that we need the wisdom and experience of older workers and the curious attitude and potential drive of younger workers. In my work with the younger generation, I have found that once they connect with a purpose that affords them opportunity for growth, they become very deeply engaged and engagement is what is needed. That takes us to being able to create a vision including development room and then articulating that vision to others to create buy in. Along the way, you must get to know people better, really listening to them, consulting with them about how they can fit into that vision.
It is about embracing this diversity that will keep us the one who’s driving!
It is not uncommon for people to now try out a job to see if it fits the pathway to happiness that they are searching for. That’s very different from the previous generations.
