Each older generation has at least one or more critiques of the younger generation. The older generation after World War I called the younger generation the Lost Generation. Before WWII there were the Zoot Suits and other defined groups of younger generations who rebelled against the mainstream. During and after WWII, the Greatest Generation. Then there were the Baby Boomers and Greasers. There were the kids who loved Chuck Berry, Elvis, James Brown, and the Beatles, R&B, Disco, Rock, Rap, etc. The Beatniks, Hippies, Flower Children, Gen X, Millennials, Z, and now Alpha. Among all of these, there were and are older generations of any culture and ethnicity that have additional descriptions and critiques of their younger generations. This serves as a reminder that any older generation will likely have some issue with the younger generation. Yes, the younger generation will have their critiques of the older generation; but for this article I’m focusing on the older generation, as I am part of, to remind ourselves, our older generation had issues with us. As an older generation, we have options other than to critique the younger generation. Options that will be better for both our generation and the younger ones.
It would be better to change our mindset towards our younger generation. Remind yourself that you were once their age and how your older generation complained about your generation. Complaints that I often hear about Millennials are that they are lazy and like to were skinny jeans. The first is a generalization that has no supporting evidence. The second, well, fashions come and go, and every generation has its defining fashion. At my age, skinny jeans don’t suit me for look or comfort. Yes, a few years ago I tried them. I was curious. So, what is the importance of changing our mindset? We should want to make the world a better place and leave it in a better place. We should be willing to share our wisdom and experience, even our mistakes. Oscar Wilde said: “Experience is the name we give our mistakes.” I’ll leave it to you to decide if it applies. Rather than castigate and complain about the younger generation, wouldn’t it be better to remind ourselves they are our future and we should help them. Their younger generation will need their wisdom and experience. Like it or not we bear that responsibility. Now it’s up to you whether or not you believe you can change your mindset. I say it is possible even if you think you are set in your ways.
How do you change your mindset? Dr. Carol Dweck has an extensive body of work on fixed and growth mindset. In the fixed growth mindset, you believe you cannot change. There are many reasons, from fear of failure, feeling insecure when others are successful, to wanting to maintain your image as being superior, or things have gotten as good as they can get. In the growth mindset you have a willingness to learn and accept critique, the harder you work will lead to achievements, things can be better than they are now. Now are you willing to change your mindset towards the younger generation or will you resolve to the mindset that it’s no use, they are lazy, things are getting worse, etc.? Or will you be willing to contribute your wisdom and experience to help the younger generation, to make the world a better place? When you want something that you think is beneficial for you, don’t you make it happen? It largely rests on you. If you think you can’t change, you won’t. If you think you can change, you will if put in the effort.
You accept that you can change. Here are some things to consider when dealing with the younger generation at work. Know when to share your input and be tactful when you share your input. If they are your boss don't embarrass them if you see they are about to make a mistake. Ask if they’d be willing to listen to your input. This should be done aside from everyone else. In meetings contribute from a collaborative rather than superior position. These are positive changes you can make.
Always keep in mind you are working in a contemporary environment. Use all of your wisdom and knowledge to reflect the present situation. No one wants to hear, "This how it’s always been done", or How we used to do it..." You’re not in the old days when things were done better and with better people, or so we idealize in our reminiscing. You’re now using your treasure of wisdom, knowledge, and experience to make the present situation better and work towards the future. It’s not helpful to think about the people back then when things were better. I know that everyone’s situation is unique and these things may not work. It may also depend on whether or not your value is appreciated. You’re still on a path towards personal growth in life after 50. You’re demonstrating to yourself that change is possible for you, in all aspects of your life.
Once you’ve discovered that you can change and have adopted a new mindset now it will be easier to adapt to the current job market for someone who is over 50. I am over 50 but even before 50, and I worked on my resume and participated in job interviews, I discovered a pattern in the promotion and hiring process. Yes, there are laws against age discrimination but we also know there are pragmatic realities that are often unstated and circumvent laws. Your age is not customarily listed on a resume or discussed in a job interview but it is somewhat evident by the dates you list for employment history, accomplishments, and education. We shouldn’t delude ourselves of the ease to put an older worker’s or applicant’s information to the side because of their age. Some jobs require age limits but that is not what I am referencing here. This is where you will need to adapt to the current job market.
Adapting to the current job market requires you to consider how you craft your resume and participate in job interviews. There will likely be someone younger than you reviewing your resume or conducting the interview but the tips will be just as useful if you are evaluated by an older worker. They know you have a vast amount of wisdom, knowledge, and experience that will benefit the organization. They want to make sure you can adapt to their organization with the attributes you possess. They are not interested in how efficient your old organization was but they are interested in how you can make their organization efficient. You will need to convey to them with a vibrancy that you are looking for a change and that your performance will be carried out with vigor. They are not looking to be disappointed by someone who they hire, to have a sense of entitlement, with the belief they have paid their dues, and produce only their bare minimum. This does not mean you operate in this manner; it is something they might expect from older workers, it is a bias, it is not right, but sometimes it cannot be controlled. You must disprove this bias others might be unaware they possess. It’s a strategy to adapt to things as they sometimes are, they are not just, or should be condoned, or accepted, but they do exist.
I would also suggest when crafting your resume and participating in job interviews to consider your collaborative abilities. They will be looking for someone that works well with others from all types of backgrounds. You can expect that you will likely be working with much younger people and also have supervisors and management that are much younger than you. You will need to convince them that you can collaborate with anyone from any background including younger workers and younger management. They are not looking to hire an employee who is inflexible and unable to collaborate. They need to make sure you will respect other employees’ positions regardless of their age in comparison to yours.
At 50 and older we know by now that there are no guarantees but it’s far better to change and make efforts towards growth than to remain to stagnate. We should not allow expectations of our age to define us. Yes, we need to be realistic but we shouldn’t settle for anything less than what is achievable for our path in life. I’ll leave this topic with the quote by the Comedian Milton Berle: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
I hope you take some time for self-care this weekend.
I always like to remind my readers about taking advice. I’ve made some suggestions for you to consider. I’ve shared things that have worked for me. More importantly, I’ve shared things that will hopefully evoke you into being your problem solver. If something doesn’t work for you, please resolve that there will be something that works for you. It requires your discovery. The life journey you are on is unique to you and so should be the solutions you discover.
David is the owner of Partnerships for Performance.com a personal transformational coaching company.
Dweck, Carol S. Mindset. Ballantine Books, 2008.
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