YImagine finding yourself in a team full of boomers. The people who type with just two fingers, completely fail to grasp your dream of working remotely from Bali, and are baffled by the simplest tech tasks. 🙄 You might think collaborating with them will not get you anywhere, but that's far from the truth! Their experience can actually be very beneficial to your career. In this blog, you'll discover how.o
Tech-challenged boomers and lazy gen-Z'ers
The Netherlands is aging, and so is the workplace. Chances are that you will have to deal with boomers. And we're not talking about the generation of baby boomers born between 1941-1955, but simply colleagues with an old soul. They have prejudices about your generation in the workplace, and the same applies vice versa. You as a gen Z-er are supposedly lazy, think your hobbies are more important than real work and are only on your phone. The boomers, in turn, are slow, tech-savvy and allergic to change. Still, there's a good chance you need to work together. How do you address that? By showing those preconceptions the door and using your curiosity!
Young professional Tjardo also had to get used to it when he started his traineeship at pension administrator MN. "At first, a pension fund doesn't sound like the flashiest company to work for, but it positively surprised me. Because my colleagues have been in the business longer, I can learn a lot from them. So it's definitely not boring!"
The boomer is your best advisor
Boomers know super much about all kinds of different things and they know everyone. This makes them a handy link in your network. They've been through a lot in the workplace and are great advisors. How to handle a tricky situation at work, get a higher salary, or get to that position you really want? They know, dare to ask!
These days we spend a lot of time on our phones and are mostly busy keeping ourselves busy all day. Our older colleagues provide a good example of the importance of rest. Leave your phone when you get tired of working for a while, and just stare outside, they do too! 🧘
Conflict? Here's how to handle it
Sometimes generations clash, causing a misunderstanding or conflict. Annoying, but that just happens when you differ. How you handle it is what really matters. Flexibility is your best friend in these situations. It's important to be open to different points of view - sometimes a fresh perspective from an (older) colleague can surprise you with new insights.
It's smart to familiarize yourself with different ways to handle conflicts; our talent managers will help you do just that! Dealing with a conflict properly not only solves the problem, but also helps to improve the work atmosphere. Plus, it strengthens your relationships with your colleagues. You show that you are not only strong in your work, but also in handling difficult situations.
