People are working longer. It looks as though they'll raise the retirement age to 70 (for now). Companies will become more diverse and the greatest challenge will be older/experienced workers managed by younger, well-educated professionals. And age matters. By that I mean, the older worker brings knowledge (and sometimes a set way of doing things); the younger worker brings new ideas, a fresh set of eyes (and a resistance to suggestions from those who are older).
It has many of the characteristics of the military. Junior grade officers are usually younger than many of their subordinates. The advantage for the military, is people wear their rank on their shoulder (or sleeves) and show respect according to rank. In the civilian world, the rank isn't as obvious and the respect has to be earned. Dr. Ken Eastman, Professor @ Oklahoma State University, defined the differences as:
Civilian - no authority (it must be earned based on leadership, ability to work with a team)
Military - authority driven (rank is respected first, person second)
Whenever I'm working with someone who is older than their manager, it becomes clear that mutual respect is the most difficult to retain. Yet, without it, dissension will be a condition-of-the-day. Good news???? When you do resolve the tension, the results will be amazing.
Add to this mix those two fearful words, stuck together - sexual harassment - no wonder there is tension in the workplace.
There are workable solutions - but if it takes 2 to tango, it most assuredly takes 2 to get along.
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Posted by: Gordon | February 02, 2012 at 04:28 AM