Learning from the Generations

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Carol Moehrle

This day and age when we look around our workplace, we see multiple generations all working side by side. Some of us in the workforce for many years remember when that may not have been the case.

There is always discussion about the culture of each generation, and about the thoughts and work styles of the people that fall into each one. Sometimes people are concerned that differences in work styles will clash when too many generations are working together.

This has not been my experience in viewing our current workforce. I see a workforce made up of multiple generations, interacting and learning from each other. I see respect and patience and camaraderie in the diversity of these multiple generations.

When I look at our workforce, it often reminds me of our school settings as well. My children were fortunate to attend a K–12 public school. People sometimes wonder how that works, putting elementary children in the same building as high school students, and I tell them it was wonderful. Having the younger students looking up to the older students forced those in high school to demonstrate better behavior because they were role models for the young. Mixing them together was a great experience for my children.

There are many similarities between our K–12 school and the multigenerational workplace. As our generations mix and meld and work shoulder to shoulder, I see that same kind of awe as the younger generation looks to the older members with respect and admiration. I also see that older generation looking at the young, and thinking they need to be the role models for them. I see groups coming to a common ground that allows everyone the opportunity to be their own individual selves and still learn and grow from the exposure to others in different generations.

Whether in the workplace or school, people in multiple age groups can and are working together for a common good.

Our multigenerational worksites are proving to be successful work environments for all.

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