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How Can We Create Synergy Between Generations

Jun 05
Posted by DaveOlson in Leadership

A few days ago, Liz Strauss wrote a great article about Boomers, GenY and changing the world. Read the whole article. It’s quite thought provoking.

Boomers and GenY

As I read her article, it seems there are three things that characterize the two generations.

  • Authenticity
  • Views and values
  • The necessity for active communication

It is those things that make us more similar than different. (for the record, I’m a boomer)

When I was growing up, I heard a lot about the “generation gap”. I’ve since been told that it’s a myth. :smile: Yet there is a gap if we don’t learn how to work together. There is a gap if we don’t bring our unique strengths together to enrich the world.

With the dreams and energy of GenYers and the dreams and wisdom of Boomers, who knows what could really happen. IF… we found the synergy between two different generations.

I’m really interested in exploring how we can bring two great generations together to impact the world.

I know there are several GenYers who read this blog and I’d love to hear what you think. Jonathan, Alex, David… what do you think? How could boomers contribute to your life? How do you think we could better work together?

What about the boomers? How can we work with GenYers to change the world? How could GenY contribute to your life?  Liz… you started the conversation. What do you think?

Being very careful not to accuse anyone else of being in the boomer camp, how about Wendy, Char, Dawud, Aaron, Rory, Robyn and Adam. What do you think? I think your opinions are really important. I would love to hear from you. Let’s talk!

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Your potential is only as powerful as your questions

May 17
Posted by DaveOlson in Leadership

question

Are you asking the right questions?

As a leader and supervisor for a lot of years, I’ve gotten used to asking questions.

  • When will this project be completed?
  • Have you considered the implications of such and such… ?
  • How will this benefit our ultimate goal?
  • What did you DO this week?
  • And of course — “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?”

I ask these questions because I am trying to guide or supervise. I’m trying to get someone else to think.

I ask the leading questions.

But in the last few weeks I’ve started asking an entirely different type of question.

  • How do I do that again?
  • Could you show me one more time?
  • Is this dial the ADF?
  • What am I doing wrong?
  • Did I do okay?
Now I’m asking the learning questions.

I don’t know when it happened but somewhere in the last few years of life, I forgot how to ask learning questions and honestly it’s kinda got me freaked out.

Hey don’t misread what I’m saying. I’m a learner… I mean I like to read and discover new facts. I’m reading “Two Weeks to a Breakthrough” right now. It’s just that maybe I know how to uncover facts but have forgotten how to really learn.

scared pilot

I’m learning to fly. It’s scaring me! Not the flying part… I love that. It’s the learning thing. I’m used to being in charge. Being the expert in fact. (or maybe just a know-it-all). I probably should have considered a few things before I started. Now I’m sitting in a plane with an instructor that is less than half my age. I’m having to ask, “could you show me that again?” uhh… what am I supposed to do now? Then when I really mess up the instructor takes the controls.

It’s scary! It’s embarrassing! It’s exciting!

I’m learning again and the questions are all different.

How about you? Are you asking learning questions or leading questions? Let’s talk!

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Ignore people – Who needs ‘em anyway

May 15
Posted by DaveOlson in Leadership

You notice him before he notices you. Good thing! Now you can duck out the closest door rather than spending the next half-hour listening to him complain about everything in the office.

Scammed again! She asked you for money to help pay the rent, but as you drove by McDonalds on the way home you see her car in the drive-through line-up. It looks like the whole soccer team is getting a happy meal… on your dime!

You joined the group hoping to gain workplace skills that would propel you forward in your career. After the second meeting you realize it’s a complete waste of time. You paid to hear the instructor but the only one who ever speaks is that know-it-all from another firm.

Sound familiar? It doesn’t take many encounters like that to get you thinking. Who needs people anyway?

It’s not that we don’t need people. It’s just that we need the right kind of people in our lives. If you are going to ignore people, make sure it’s the wrong kind of people.

What kind of people do you need in your life in order to become excellent? Who contributes to your success and who doesn’t? Do you have any criteria for the people who you allow to get closest to you?

How about these?
  • People who are encouraging but honest
  • Someone who will challenge you
  • Friends who are interested in you
  • Comrades who inspire you
  • People who are committed to your success
  • Someone to check up on you
  • People who keep you accountable to your goals
  • People who love you

Who would you add?

There is a catch!

As a general rule, the people that you attract are really a lot like you. In fact it is quite difficult to gather people around you who are substantially different in their goals and values.

Last week all of the members of our leadership team did a personality test for fun and to help us work together more effectively. Out of 10 people, there were 6 who had melancholy as their primary personality trait. Big deal you say.. but wait there’s more. I am the primary founder and recruiter of the team and guess what personality type I am… you guessed it: Melancholy!

Do you see any connection?

Let’s talk!

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