More Experience–A Generational Dilemma?

People who have been on the job longer have more experience. At least traditionally that has long been a popular mindset. Working for five years is better than five months, working for ten years is better than five years, and working for thirty is twice as much as fifteen.

There is an Abraham Lincoln quote, “And in the end, it is not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Millennials and generation 9/11 (Gen Z, iGen) are stereotyped with having values associated with immediate gratification, needing minute-by-minute feedback, and expecting a participation trophy. Traditionals and boomers are stereotyped with resistance to change, nose to the grindstone, and as being highly disciplined; perhaps as viewed by some, to the point of being a fault.

But those are all just viewpoints, as recognized by the observer.

Life is about experiences and it may not be so much about how long, but more about how often. So it seems to me that experience isn’t about stereotypes, it isn’t about age, and it is certainly not about your generation.

Experience comes from having more. (Yes, more experiences!)

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker, and coach that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is the author of the newly released book, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at DennisEGilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

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