Hello Summer Interns. How an Age Diverse Workforce Benefits Us All

A new crop of summer interns recently started here, reminding me of the value of idealism, inexperience and fresh perspectives in our workplaces ….

Given the choice, if put on a team at work, many of us would choose to work with people like ourselves … people we “think” we will connect with, can relate to and who share similar experiences. Sure, we want each person on the team to carry his or her professional weight, but we also want the project to be pleasant. We want communication to go smoothly. And we don’t want a lot of conflict holding up progress. (You can’t really blame us, can you?)

Businesses and bosses, by contrast, are encouraged to seek diversity. To welcome a little healthy conflict, reminded that a workforce of varying ethnicities, experiences, sexes, religions, ages, etc., brings a wider range of perspectives. And that’s good because it supports broader thinking, more inventive solutions and a more thorough consideration of potential obstacles. (“Why are we doing it this way?” is a worthy question.)

Smooth, conflict-free communication? It’s not necessarily a business objective.
 

With age diversity comes diversity of thought

Age diversity, while nothing new, is becoming more common as retirement ages are extended and life expectancies rise. It’s likely that the 25-year-old will be working side by side with the 60-year-old in many offices. As with all diversity, it’s important to consider what workers of various ages bring to the table — the advantages of their unique perspectives and approaches.

I recently attended the retirement party of a man I worked with a few years back. He was about 50 at the time he was hired by my company and he became the first person I trained.

At the time, I remember feeling a little intimidated (As it turned out, for no reason). His dry, quick wit made him a welcome addition and kept our team laughing and on its toes. His steady, unflappable pace and demeanor both intrigued and irritated me. And although his computer skills were awkward initially, he quickly learned to troubleshoot and maneuver like a pro. His loyalty to the organization is now obvious as well — as he celebrated his retirement with this same organization — while I’ve been gone more than 15 years.

Ironically, some years later (after a stay-at-home-mom stint), I found myself starting a job where I was the oldest employee in my department. The technology was new to me and I was expected to “just have a look around.” I observed as my new impatient, young boss strived for the right balance in training me without micromanaging. I watched as younger colleagues panicked through a buy-out, abandoning ship before stopping to consider the potential opportunities of staying put. I felt calm, capable and glad of my years of business experience.
 

Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace by registering now for this live, virtual seminar.

What older workers offer the business world:

• Loyalty has a place in business. Sticking with an organization or boss has rewards. Older workers will tell you that when you find a company that treats you well, stick around. 401(k)s grow bigger. Opportunities for promotions open up. Knowledge and seniority accumulate.
• Interpersonal skills grow stronger with experience. Personal interactions get better with practice. Older workers are often skilled at building relationships. They’ve already made plenty of missteps and learned how to listen well and navigate business and work relationships.
• Don’t panic when facing change or hardship. Mergers, economic downturns, bankruptcies, changes in leadership — these aren’t new occurrences in the business world. Experience has taught older workers to stay calm when facing the unknown. Opportunities go to those willing to roll with disruption.
• Wisdom is collective. Years of accumulated experiences give older workers more crystalized intelligence. This intelligence can make them more intuitive and better able to anticipate outcomes or reactions.
   

What younger workers offer the business world:

• Job hopping has advantages and it pays to be brave. Sometimes you have to make your own opportunities. Don’t be afraid to keep your eyes open and bravely step away from a dead-end job or failing company when you need to.
• Be comfortable with new technology. Don’t know how to use the new software? Just dive in. It’s fun. (And you can always just do a quick search online if you’re nervous.)
• Raw intelligence has its benefits. Heightened abstract reasoning can make it easier for younger workers to learn new skills, suggests research from the American Psychological Association. Training them doesn’t usually include breaking any bad, well-established habits.
• Idealism is an asset. Changing the world and the lives of those around us takes a bit of courage, stubbornness and maybe even some naivete sometimes. We can all benefit from remembering our real purposes. We can all benefit by considering the “why” behind our work.
   

Hiring workers of varying ages strengthens a company. Getting to know the interns is worth your time.

Realize the benefits when age-diverse employees are given opportunities to work together … where they learn to understand and appreciate each other. As with most diversity, it is when we work side by side with those that are different from ourselves that we truly see them as individuals with unique styles, personalities and capabilities.