Are You Networking across Generations? [586 words]

Generations at Work Projected for 2030

Workforce generations will shift dramatically by 2030. Future-proof your career by networking across generations.

The generational mix of the workforce is projected to shift dramatically by 2030. Baby Boomers are retiring from (or being pushed out of) the workforce at higher rates. The first Generation Z professionals have already graduated from college—albeit via Zoom—and are starting their entry-level jobs—also via Zoom. Gen X workers are still angling for promotions, hoping their bosses retire before they do. All the while, many leaders are still wringing their hands about Millennials and their expectations of employers. You can prepare for these coming changes by networking across generations.

Having a Multi-Generational Impact

But it’s not just executives who need to be thinking about these generational shifts. All of us have a role to play. It’s up to each of us to create the kind of workplace that welcomes everyone. Whether you are an executive, a middle manager, a leader, or an individual contributor, your daily interactions with others determine the culture of your organization. Start by considering where (and with whom) those interactions occur. Use my CHAMP Network model to focus on networking across generations.

Customers

Are you meeting with customers? Even if your role is internal to the company, find a way to connect with customers from “the outside.” Ride along with sales reps or job shadow customer support staff. Notice how the customer mix is changing for your company. Ask yourself how you can build a network of customers that span generations.

Hiring

Who have you hired or helped with a job search recently? When someone in your network posts an open position, ask about the skills or experiences that might make someone a perfect fit for the role. If you know someone is looking for a job, inquire about their ideal work environment. You’ll begin to see trends in how people from different generations answer these questions. This information will be invaluable to you if you find yourself looking for a new employee (or a new job).

Associates

Are you building solid peer relationships at work? Make time to chat with and learn about people you may not have connected with in the past. How do people of different generations view your company or your industry? Find out how they came into this work and what they love about it. You’ll be surprised by the different expectations and assumptions each generation makes—or doesn’t—about your workplace.

Mentors

Think about your mentors. Where do you go for career advice? Whose books, podcasts, and social media feeds do you rely on? Think for a moment about whether you’ve concentrated your mentors in a single age group. You might be missing out on future trends, sage wisdom, or pressing issues if your mentors don’t span generations.

Proteges

Finally, take the time to invest in others. By sharing what you know, you can help others learn a new technology, think about a problem from a new perspective, or build stronger working relationships with others. The mentoring relationship is not always based on age or experience. Knowledge and perspective also matter. Give freely, and reach broadly.

In Summary: Networking across Generations

It should be clear by now that the workforce around you is changing. Having a robust, inclusive professional network that spans generations can help you prepare for those changes. Set a modest networking goal to get started networking across generations. And please, let me know in the comments how your network is changing!

Permission to Reprint

Permission to reprint articles by Amy C. Waninger is hereby given to all print, broadcast, and electronic media, provided that the contact information at the end of each article is included in your publication.

Organizations publishing articles electronically must include a live, clickable link within the body of the article to:

www.LeadAtAnyLevel.com 

For print publications, please mail a copy of the publication to:

Lead at Any Level, LLC
11650 Olio Road
Suite 1000 #391
Fishers, IN 46037

Permission to reprint articles by Amy C. Waninger is granted at no charge with the agreement that:

  • The author’s full bio (see below) is included with each article.
  • One copy of the publication in which the article is published is provided to Lead at Any Level.
  • A fee of $300 per article will be expected for articles published without the closing bio and contact information. Contact info@leadatanylevel.com for an invoice and payment instructions.

Permission is also granted for reasonable:

  • Content editing and addition of industry-specific examples
  • Length
  • Change of article title

For reprint permissions of other Lead at Any Level authors, please email

info@leadatanylevel.com

Amy C. Waninger Author Bio

Amy C. Waninger is the Founder & CEO of Lead at Any Level, where she improves employee engagement and retention for companies that promote from within. Amy offers assessments, advisory services, and training on essential skills for inclusive leaders. She is the author of eight books. Learn more at www.LeadAtAnyLevel.com

Also available for download: profile photos, extended bios by industry

Comments
One response to “Are You Networking across Generations? [586 words]”
  1. […] have to worry about misunderstandings that arise from cultural differences. You don’t have multigenerational teams or power imbalances. Maybe you grow your employees in a […]