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Mind the Generational Gap

Working with several generations of colleagues can be an enriching experience, but prejudices and arrogance can turn that asset into the liability of generational warfare. I once told a younger colleague that I was excited about participating in a 3.5-mile corporate race she had always run in. She quickly responded, “Oh yeah, you can walk it.

I shot back, “I also have the option of running it, which I plan to do.”

When dealing with a colleague of a different generation make the most of the encounters.

To do that check your prejudices. Many Boomers, the first generation to wholeheartedly embrace workouts, are still running in their 40s and 50s and 60s.

If you’re older, bridge the gap by sharing some of your most memorable experiences from your years with the company. Many younger workers appreciate office lore and take great pride in an office with a rich history. Sharing your stories will feed their hunger for company culture and build bonds at the same time.

If you’re a younger worker, offer your help when an older worker has a tech problem at work you can solve. As an older more experienced worker, you may possess a wealth of knowledge about your field. Share that knowledge when colleagues ask. A younger colleague considers me the office grammarian. When she asks, I cheerfully share my expertise with her.

By no means should you patronize someone older or younger. And don’t pretend to be a know-it-all because of your years or over self-confidence. By minding the generational gap you build bridges, rather than burning them.