Joe Casciani, PhD
July 29, 2020
It is well established that we are living longer today than ever before in our history. And, with this increase in longevity, we are also seeing more diversity and mixes of different age groups in the workplace. Multiple generations, Boomers to Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z , are now working together side-by side, often with different perspectives, different value systems, and different priorities. In an article about age diversity by Melinda Secor and Tamsen Butler, we learn about what those in the 55+ group bring to their jobs that contrast with what younger employees bring.
To begin, those in the oldest generations who are still working, roughly those who are ages 70+, tend to value a sense of duty and loyalty, respect for authority, sacrifice, conformity, and delayed gratification. Then we have the Baby Boomers, born between the mid-40’s to the mid-60’s. These are not the oldest group in the workplace but are still older than the Gen X, Y, and Z groups. Boomers place more emphasis on communication and team effort and display a level of optimism that stands out from the younger groups. In contrast, in the younger groups, i.e., those born after the late 60’s (Gen X, Y, and Z), we see more self-reliance, independent work styles, a higher degree of comfort with diversity and technology, and, in general, an increased blurring between work time and home time. Secor and Butler emphasize in their article that age diversity in the workplace is a good thing, and something we can expect to see more of in the future.
There are other factors that differentiate the 55-and-over from younger counterparts. What do these seniors bring to their jobs and what makes them so valuable to their employer? Without over-generalizing, it is possible to pinpoint general trends when identifying some of the reasons many seniors are happily employed (LiveCareer). Here are some of the reasons why seniors can be in high demand and remain gainfully employed:
- There is an emphasis on helping others – serving as mentors, advisors and supporters of coworkers and they do not feel intimidated by those who may be younger or in more senior positions.
- They do not necessarily expect their jobs to provide their identity and lasting satisfaction.
- Complaints are minimal, especially about younger bosses or about frustrating careers; they do not boast about all the experience and expertise they have. Rather, they relate best on what they bring to the table, for what is relevant today.
- They are comfortable with their qualifications and do not see themselves as overqualified, or inherently entitled to promotion and career advancement based on their age.
- They do not hold out for what is no longer available; the notion of being “under employed” is of no use to the senior worker.
- They value relationships, networking, and an active, multi-dimensional view about their lives and shared experiences, and shun a world view that is solely about jobs or employment.
- They understand that employers today are seeking specific skills, and why they are valued at work relies on their ability to keep these skills circumscribed, and keep their focus narrowed to this skill set.
In our last Living to 100 Club blog on seniors in the workplace, I mentioned the demand for younger workers that will be needed to replace the retiring boomer generation, and the anticipated shortage of these younger workers. The solutions to this shortage are to retain seniors in the workplace longer than we have in the past, reengage these older workers, and redefine the traditional view of retirement. But it is also necessary for the older worker to recognize that we are in a different world compared to decades ago when most were in their prime. A different world requires adapting. Being successful and being invited to stick around means holding on to our value system, maintaining our authenticity, not letting a few bruises from the past color what we can contribute today, and staying relevant. Let’s remember the quote from Dan Sullivan, Always make your future bigger than your past.
Be sure to visit our website for more content on successful aging – blogs, podcasts, and articles: www.Livingto100.Club. And, pick up a copy of my new book, Living Longer IS the New Normal, on Amazon today, where one reviewer said, This little book packs a big punch.