A New Age - Diversity and Inclusion apply here too

Job hunting in a down economy is frustrating... Like many, too many out there, I went through a dry spell, watching savings draw down to the wire....realizing that finding a job was not as easy as it was when I was 25. But it's not easy at 25 either anymore - just ask recent college grads....My dry spell preceded the current downturn but even as late as fall 2009, I found myself once again part of a large layoff group. But this time I had a different attitude.

Many Baby boomers will tell you that it is harder finding a job - that preference goes to the younger worker. Unlike 30 years ago, this would not be because the company expects to get more years out of that worker before retirement. Long term employment at a single company is less the rule these days. I'd argue that two factors contribute to the current dilemma for my generation -- our own expectations and the short-sightedness of diversity/ inclusion programs.

Start with our own expectations - an excellent article that I recently read advised that "you are not ENTITLED to a job/ you do not DESERVE a job". Now there's a cold bucket of truth. That same article also stated that we should not expect our salaries to increase every year..... Now, if you are in business and take a step back, this makes hard sense. If I am a receptionist, and I am very good and like being a receptionist and do this for 20 years at the same place after starting at 24K/ year, I should not expect an "attendance" increase to $50,000 over a 10 or even a 20 year period if the position value only increases to $35K. Extrapolate that to any position that you like - the same logic holds. And that has to be the first realization about expectations. What is our position worth in today's market? And no, we don't have to like the answer, but we have to understand it.

Now let's look at traditional corporations with functional hierarchies....the culture has tended toward what I call "parental" management. That is, management and above takes a parental role in overseeing staff. And staff accepts that and behaves accordingly. And there is the stereotype of the older staffer and younger manager butting heads over who knows what is better for the organization. And polarizing....which at minimum can be an annoyance and worst case can be a managerial nightmare.

Upset the apple cart. Take all of the age images and let's re-look at the picture: Younger workers have the advantage of a different education -one in tune with the current technological world, where these technologies were an integral part of their world forever. Older workers have experience with evolving technologies as well, with change and with life experience. There are a lot of opportunities for mutual growth, synergies and legacy learning -- from each other.

Lesson 1 - It is the experience you have that counts -- not how many years you've been out there.

Another thought: Just because you are a star customer service rep, doesn't mean you'd do a good job at managing the department. Have you ever seen a star performer promoted from the ranks who failed miserably at the next level? Managing, directing, and senior management are all different skill sets (even from each other) and not everyone "grows" into them. So if your president is 10 + years younger than you, or your age, but has the energy to manage the mega view and activities and the wisdom to surround him-/her-self with a capable team, then be glad someone else is doing what you really wouldn't want to do. And if you see yourself as wanting that - well, then aspire to climb the ladder.

Lesson 2 - Mine your abilities and talents to their full potential, but appreciate that skills, talent and perseverence are what define success at different levels, not age and experience alone.

None of what I've said is profound, but it needs to be said and it needs to be considered. The future is dazzling and includes all of us -- but we have to reach beyond where we've been to get there. Einstein said "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that created them". No one person can solve the problems of our time - but together we have a better chance of reaching that better place. More to come on this topic.....your thoughts?