Whether running a Fortune 500 company, steering a middle-of-the-country corporation, or guiding a local small business, chances are you will cross paths with people spanning more than one generation. Knowing how to attract workers, foster relationships, and create opportunities for everyone will help you to find success regardless of the arena. Suppose you are not operating in the private sector but instead spend your time in a public capacity such as government, education, healthcare, or community service. In that case, you will likely encounter an even greater variety of individuals daily. There is much to be learned from others, so establishing an open and safe setting for whoever enters your space is vital for a thriving sense of accomplishment. Here are a few ways to achieve an inclusive context and why that spectrum matters.
Understand Changing Perspectives
The only guarantee associated with time is that it passes and life changes along with it. This rule is valid for fashions and tastes, belief systems, and personal perspectives. And while historically, transformations can be challenging, that does not have to be the case. As a leader or member of any group, staying in touch with what is happening in society benefits you. It is one thing to be aware of shifting attitudes, but to be genuinely effective, strive to move beyond surface observations, and comprehend why world views or positions evolve. For example, some may struggle with outward appearances that do not fit traditional conventions, but having a closed mind can keep you from advancing your career and someone else’s. Familiarize yourself and those who may share your uncertainty with the introduction of the Mattel transgender Barbie. Do not immediately dismiss what is unusual to you without exploring the mindset behind it. It may be surprising to learn that a plan is not what you initially expected. Once you grasp the thought process of new developments, you may find you are better equipped for dialogues with up-and-coming, younger people or been-there-done-that veterans.
Respect Past Experiences
One of the easiest mistakes is assuming everyone has lived a similar life to yours. It does not matter if that includes traumatic events or absolute good fortune; the truth is that each journey is different. In addition, no two people experience the same event in the same way. That said, having an open-door policy where you invite others to share pieces of what has impacted them can assist you in finding common ground. Because each era is marked by unique moments, the emerging paradigms will also vary depending on someone’s life stage. For example, consider teenagers who grew up through a significant world conflict during their senior year of high school versus a thirty-something trying to purchase a first home and begin a family during that same year. One group will recall the pressures of deciding on a college amidst global uncertainty while the other will remember rising mortgage rates and house prices affected by trade wars and unstable markets. Both realities are valid but also frame a particular emotional point-of-view from what they lived.
Maintain Consistent Expectations
Ultimately, positivity and steadiness should breed the most desirable outcomes for everyone involved. Constructing protocols and benchmarks that are evenly applied should be at the top of leadership’s priority list. Do not confuse the need to see and take in generational differences with a requisite to make undue exceptions for poor performances. Likewise, capitalize on what parties bring with them to your situation so that the best parts come together to create a strong whole. Invest in the diversity that is presented and hold all team members accountable.
In the end, embracing what makes your organization distinct has more pros than cons. Start by acknowledging what is at the heart of the various opinions and then build a collective identity made up of those characteristics. Finally, compile information in a way that combines elements in a fresh pattern and maximizes the accumulated knowledge at hand.