The 2015 movie The Intern with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway is about a 70-year-old widower who, after retirement, decides to get back into business by taking an internship at an online fashion company. Along the way we see some of the typical stereotypes of him bringing his briefcase to work complete with fountain pen and calculator while his young boss bikes around the office and wrangles two phones and an iPad, but what comes out of it is they end up learning a great deal from each other and respecting each other’s very different, yet effective work styles. Even in real life, the most confident of new employees may benefit from some quality mentoring by a seasoned employee…and vice versa, especially in today’s multigenerational workplaces.
- Each person has something to bring to the table. Just because there’s an age or experience gap, that doesn’t necessarily mean one way is better than another. Like anything, certain ideas or methods may work better in certain situations. In fact, good mentoring can actually bridge that generational gap on both sides, which often includes a skills gap as well. More experienced employees can pass along their wisdom of experience that no class can teach, and younger employees, for example, can help the older ones connect more efficiently and successfully in a digital world.
- This sort of mentoring can expand careers. Consider this: The employee who has been in the business for nearly as long as the younger person has been on this earth may not appreciate or understand how the younger generation works…think of all of the stereotypes of millennials as entitled workers who want praise for every little thing, when in reality, many are extremely focused and intent on making a difference. On the other hand, they may see baby boomers and Gen X as stuck in the past, yet they have their own benefits to offer. When each mentors the other, it naturally expands their skills and demonstrates to superiors that, whether more or less experienced, they’re willing to learn from others and apply it to their own work, thus expanding their abilities.
- It builds respect for each other. Naturally, an older person answering to a younger superior may feel awkward or resentful, and the opposite dynamic may get bristly as the younger person feels they have to do things “the way they’ve always been done” even if he has great and innovative ideas that will move the company forward. When they work together as co-mentors and truly listen and observe, they can find ways to fit each of their skills into the puzzle and make them fit together. It may require some time, but “old” doesn’t equal “obsolete” and “young” doesn’t equal “entitled,” and working together can help each side appreciate that.
It makes sense for multigenerational workplaces to have cross-generational mentoring in order to get everyone working together. They may not do things the same way, but multiple approaches to business foster creative and innovative ideas. For more tips on hiring top talent, reach out to the staffing experts at Medical Professionals today!
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