I’ve recently run into two people I used to know – both respected members of the Canadian literary community. There was a time when a nod from either of them could propel a career to a higher plane. Each is smart and accomplished, with a biting sense of humour that cuts to the heart of any conversation.
And yet…both are desperately clinging to the past.
On separate occasions, they said the same thing. They waxed poetic (literally) on the pre-digital and social era when ‘quality was higher’ and print reigned supreme. Translation: they understood how the world worked and were at the top of their game.
That’s hardly a new mindset for people of their age and experience. In fact, the generation gap of the ’60s happened because many adults were scared crapless of ‘the youth’, who were rebellious, experimental and just trying to figure out their place in the world.
Think about Mad Men’s Don Draper and how he’s been unable to adapt to the turmoil and changes around him.
And now look at his partner, Roger Sterling, whom you might take to be the more conservative of the two – account guy, lots of money, hot-headed, born into the business. Yet in many ways Roger is the antithesis of Don. In one episode he describes himself as a perennially curious child and maybe that’s why he’s able to adjust.
My encounters reminded me that like the ’60s, we’re facing a similar situation today. Millennials lock horns with the older generation which is hanging tight to what’s worked in the past.
The operative word here is PAST.
And so business drags on and innovation is slowed in part because people can’t or won’t adapt.
So what can the generation-in-charge do about it?
Open your mind – and quit saying ‘because that’s how we’ve always done it’.
Stop thinking you’re right – that’s not a position you earn with age.
Ease up on the bitters – remember when you were younger and your bosses shot down all your brilliant ideas as a way of putting you in your place? It’s not your turn now.
Watch and listen – to something you instinctively think you’ll hate or dismiss, whether it’s a younger opinion, music, a movie, blog post.
Repeat.
It’s natural for one generation to want to supplant another and make their mark. But imagine how much more we could accomplish if the the incoming and outgoing generations could finally figure out a way to work together productively.
If the folks making decisions could let go a little and adapt.
I’m interested in your take – regardless of which side of the generation gap you’re on.
