I’m glad to work for a company that is environmentally aware and has good practices. As a boomer, I remember the old slogan, “Don’t be a Litterbug!” That was an old 1960′s nationwide campaign just for us to pick up trash – not what we needed to do with it. So, for many of us, being environmentally aware and proactive is a learning and training process.

I have a tendency at times to burden myself with unnecessary guilt even when I have a rock-solid defense. I feel almost guilty about being a baby boomer and not having a retirement plan in place, joking to my comrades that I may never be able to retire. I never realized how this can seem threatening to my younger colleagues and the up and coming workers in light of your blog.

Well, here comes the defense. I’m sure this was my fault from the beginning, but after a failed marriage to a foreigner, I became a single parent on my own when my son was only 2. Since then, I have struggled constantly to maintain just shy of the status quo. I thought I might have stayed with a company which had an excellent retirement plan, but I was still young, and things changed and after a 12-years of service, my department was downsized – a euphemism for fired. Since then, it was very hard for me to get work in the field I am most experienced. Then I carelessly made the mistake of committing matrimony a second time in my life which pushed me back even further in my career endeavors and education. My only salvation was forcing myself to continue my education which finally, after many years, accumulated to a B.A. of which I am most proud after a lifetime of haunting college campuses here and there.

In my view, coming back into the work force with any kind of work is a blessing, not a rite. I don’t know if I will ever be able to retire and get out of the way of my younger co-workers and tomorrow’s youthful up and coming. Thank goodness I have the right to work in the United States as long as I choose, for whoever will have me for my intelligence and talent, regardless of my age. I wish I could retire, live off the fat, and volunteer my time at a hospital, but I can’t. Not yet.

What’s the other option for us older generations to make way for the new ones? I know. It’s death. It’s not an attractive retirement plan though. We all have to do what we have to in order to survive and live our lives as best we can.

How wonderful to get your note! I certainly understand your point as well. I’ve surely been there and I think sometimes still am in that same position as far as being heard. I know the feeling of being “beaten up” as you say trying to show management a better or a new way of doing things. It’s usually at that point that I say to myself, “Oh man, would I like to have my own business so I can call the shots!”

I’m glad that you younger generations are raring to go with new visions and ideas as to how things can operate in the work world. You will be in charge in the future!

I think sometimes it’s the way some people approach the [older] management with their ideas that needs some coaching. I’m not suggesting walking on eggs, here. I also think younger gens just settle for taking a back seat to what management declares as THEIR rules or THEIR procedures. The bad thing about that is you start to doubt your abilities, and sense of reason – and that’s self destructive. Don’t settle!! And yes, it’s risky nowadays with the work world in turmoil when all of us are hanging on to our jobs for dear life.. so we are all afraid to stand up for anything we believe in for fear of getting “the pink slip.” Once again, there is that approach thing. It’s the way you offer suggestions and solutions to upper management especially is there is no democratic platform to say anything at one’s work. I have to think this one out.

Well, guess that’s enough food for thought for now on the subject. Thanks again for writing. Please write soon and let me know what’s going on.

I get your point, yet don’t we all want someone else to do the work when there is NO reward. Who ever gets a reward for doing the dishes. Yes, I agree new ideas are grand; however, where I work they are only entertained to appease. If senior management ever took my idea and put in place, before talking to the older generation of folks and making it theirs it would be…let’s say a miracle.

I think we are just some times beat up and tired of trying.

Sorry to be so negative. Your thoughts are a breathe of fresh air that says the younger generations should keep on trying.
Thanks.

On another note,having people listen and take our advice, is not purely about generations. I know teenagers who go through this stage and I believe it is more about life experiences and training. As HR professionals, counselors, IO psychologists, etc., we are trained to listen. There are very few occupations in which this happens. Therefore, if a younger generation appears that they are disinterested or not listening, it may have to do with an underlying cause. Trust is often the issue.

Consider asking an employee who is difficult to communicate with, simply, “What seems to be the problem?” The first step is trying to analyze the why behind the breakdown of communication, whether it is between generations or just two individuals.

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M. Jenkins,

I agree that the “C” generation appears to be open, have a valued interest, and willingness to learn. I believe that they view technology as it continues to evolve, as an endless opportunty to a new world. We are given endless opportunties; however, it is onself who must take the initiative to capatilize on these endless possiblities.