Never Mind the Bus Pass

For the first time ever, four distinct generations share the workplace: the Silents (who are in their mid-60s upwards), Baby Boomers (mid-40s to mid-60s), X-ers (mid-20s to mid-40s) and Millennials (the newest workers). The work and life experiences of each group are unique, but the divide is clearest between the two oldest generations and the two youngest

As is always true, older workers can teach younger colleagues a thing or two. But education isn’t a one-way street, and older workers can also learn from newer hires. NMTBP lays out a few of those lessons

What Older Workers Can Teach Younger Workers

Hard Times: Younger workers didn’t go through the recession of the 1970s, and there are still people in the workplace who remember that and the 90s downturn. They can pass along wisdom about economic cycles and provide a long-range view of things

Loyalty: It may be out of fashion these days, but sticking with one employer or boss has its own rewards. Older workers know what it means to commit through thick and thin. It may not be easy to stay the course with one company — especially when a quick job change may bring instant gratification, more pay and better perks — but older workers know that some companies do take care of the employees who stay and take care of the company

Experience: Whether it’s corporate policies, company politics or industry knowledge, older workers know the ropes. Most of them are happy to pass along what they know about people, jobs and success

Interpersonal Skills: Older workers are social animals, and very skilled at one-on-one relationships. All the technological knowledge of younger workers doesn’t compensate for their lack of interpersonal time. Older workers can teach younger ones about basic workplace interpersonal skills such as common courtesy and team play

Regrets: Older workers usually have a good understanding of what they regret in their career choices. People usually regret not what they did, but what they didn’t do. Older workers can use those regrets to pass along ideas on how to steer your career so it can be more fulfilling

Independence: For years, younger workers have been taken care of by parents and their communities, but now they’re on their own. Older workers know how to depend on themselves. They can teach new workers that when they’re at work, they can’t count on anyone to take care of them

What Younger Workers Can Teach Older Workers

New Technology: This is the most obvious area. Whether it’s computers, Tablets, Facebook, Twitter or any other device or software with bits and bytes, chances are younger workers know how to use it. If they don’t, they’re comfortable learning how. And, like most people with a skill, they’re usually happy to pass on what they know

Diversity: Younger workers come from diverse households and backgrounds. Their wider perspectives can help open older workers’ eyes to the changing world and workforce

Job-Hopping: Older workers have been taught that only poor, disloyal or incompetent employees leave. In fact, today it’s the superstars who jump from job to job. While older workers may regard career change as negative, young people understand that it can be fulfilling, energizing and even life-changing

Risk Taking: Younger workers are extremely entrepreneurial. They’re excellent out-of-the-box thinkers. That’s especially true compared to people who have spent their careers respecting corporate hierarchies and processes, not taking a lot of risks. Though that was not necessarily bad in earlier times, a new era demands a new way of thinking

Balancing Work/Life Issues: Older workers have done a terrible job with family and work-life balance issues. Younger workers are not as career-driven. They can show older workers different attitudes and values

Fulfilling Dreams: Older workers have had tons of responsibilities throughout their careers, but now that they’re without kids or mortgages, they’re free. They can go out and fulfill their dreams — but they may not realize it. If they see how younger workers act and feel, they can follow their lead