(Editorial Note: Want to read the RECAP of this week’s events? See The Best-of-All-Ages Workplace #TChat Recap )
What’s the truth about the interplay of generations in today’s workplace? Are we moving forward, or do “generation gaps” still hold us to the past?
Is this topic old news? I feel like it might be. Not sure if it’s just me. Perhaps I’m just wishfully thinking we should have moved on by now. But it’s important. And it deserves another look.
Age Stereotypes: A Reality Check
So, just between us, let me ask: Do you still catch yourself making snap judgments about people based solely on their age? Boomers, Gen Y, Gen X…whatever. We fret over how to recruit Millennials. We wonder how to manage them versus others. Does all this conscious attention to generational differences help or hinder progress?
Age-based stereotyping is deeply ingrained in our history, our culture and our collective social psyche. Now, in the 21st century world of work, it holds back individual advancement, business performance and innovation. But how do we move past reactions that seem almost second-nature? That’s the topic we’re tackling this week, in the TalentCulture community .
Getting Over Generational Bias: Growing Pains
Watch the #TChat “Sneak Peek” videos now… To begin the conversation, I suggested ways to smash age-based stereotypes in my Forbes.com column yesterday.
Rethinking stereotypes requires some deep internal soul searching. Gaining self awareness is the first step — and it’s not necessarily easy.
Facing your biases is an emotional exercise, as well as an intellectual one. But the process can be highly rewarding for professionals and the companies they serve. Fortunately, now there’s strength in numbers, as our #TChat forums take on generational stereotypes as a collaborative effort.
#TChat Weekly Topic: The “No Labels” Workforce
Leading us through this week’s conversation are two human resources management experts from WilsonHCG — John Wilson , Founder and CEO, and Ashley Lauren Perez , Sourcing Specialist. Both John and Ashley helped us set the stage for this week’s topic in brief Google+ Hangout “sneak peek” videos. Check them out now!
Tune into #TChat Radio live on Tuesday or on-demand after I hope you’ll plan to join us at #TChat events this week, where we’ll take a closer look at labels in the workplace, and how to build cultures that value diversity in all of its forms:
As always, throughout the week, we’ll keep the discussion going on the #TChat Twitter stream and on our new LinkedIn Discussion Group . So please join us and share your thoughts, concerns, opinions and ideas.
#TChat Weekly Questions
Why not start now? Take a moment to consider this week’s discussion guide and tell us what you think. Your comments are welcome, early and often:
Q1: In the world of work, how are the generations the same? Why?Q2: With Millennials, we have myriad misconceptions. But for all generations, what are the most pervasive?Q3: What is the role of leaders in helping to smash stereotypes about generations in the workforce?Q4: Does tech facilitate cross-generational interaction? Why/not? How can we forge more connections?Q5: Innovation and free-thinking go hand-in-hand. But does innovation ever encourage age stereotyping? Why?
We’ll see you on the stream!
Image Credit: Flickr – Mark Turnauckas
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