A Discordance Regarding Work Ethic Across Generations

Alerted to this blog post by Jamie Trussell ("Youngest workers' goals are different"), I read it with interest. I am amused at both Ms. Trussell's stirring up the status quo as well as by many commenters' comments. Let me explain my amusement.

First of all, my amusement is not with the article itself. When I read past the emotion of the article (Chucking her cell phone? Honestly?) I interpret the frustration we all experienced when we were "the young generation" – whether that is now, or whether that was 40 years ago. Every "older generation" bemoans the "up and coming kids who need to learn [fill in the blank] if they're going to get anywhere in this world." The point I take from her article as well as the point I make in my presentations and training sessions is that the workplace is a continually-evolving environment. As one demographic ages and leaves, another demographic enters and matures in the workplace (as everywhere else in life). Multiple generations must deal with each other in order to be productive and to fulfill their organization's mission. "Dealing with each other" means –

• communicating in ways that the message receiver understands;
• being open-minded enough to determine each other's motivations;
• recognizing that some norms are non-negotiable;
• realizing that some norms should change as part of the evolutionary process; and
• capitalizing on the talents of individuals rather than grouping everyone into "them" and "us" and making generalizations about each group.

To Ms. Trussell I say, "You go, grrllll!" in terms of stirring up controversy. While I disagree somewhat with the sense of entitlement I read into the post, I enjoy decently-written perspectives on the topics I address in my programs and info-products. Personal growth and expanded thinking comes from accepting divergent viewpoints. We "hear" others' viewpoints when they are made with a modicum of professionalism.

I am amused at (and dismayed by) many of the comments. While many are written by people who seem to be of my "older generation", they are poor examples of what this older generation should leave as legacy. Many comments are vitrolic, poorly written, and personally directed at the blog poster or each other. This is not the way to communicate with each other and get points across to facilitate open thinking! The "mood" of these comments is also indicative of many comments I read on a variety of blogs, listserves, and other public forums.

To facilitate open discussion and minimize defensive responses, consider these guidelines:

• Write a "first draft" response in a text file on your computer or mobile device rather than in an e-mail or directly as a comment to the forum post.
• Read your response out loud. How does it sound? Is it confrontational, judgmental, attacking the person rather than the point-of-view, or offensive? If so, re-write your comment in that same text file.
• Read your re-written response again. Hopefully it "reads" more appropriately while it still expresses your point of view. Note here: I did not say that you have to agree with the original perspective. Disagreement is good. Challenge is good. It makes us think beyond our own perspectives. Yet we can disagree and challenge in a professional manner.
• Avoid words and phrases such as "you should…"; "what an idiotic [or other judgment] …"; "misguided"; and similar defensiveness-inducing language.
• Spell-check and grammar-check your writing.
• Make your point clearly and succinctly. Few people have the time or energy to read long diatribes.
• Then…copy-and-paste your response to the actual forum to which you are responding.

A lot of work "just to comment on something"? Yes. Yet, your comments and viewpoints are more-likely to be read – and accepted (again, I didn't say "agreed with") – by readers, which is the reason you comment in the first place!

FYI: See other "generational" posts I've written.