AGE NO BAR

TODAY , THERE ARE THE PEOPLES FROM DIFFERENT GENERATIONS WORKING TOGETHER.SO, THERE CAN BE A CLASH OF MINDSET AND ATTITUDE.

Age demands respect, and this extends to the corporate sector, too. Earlier, age and seniority were synonymous but with globalisation, the dynamics have changed. Today it's all about performance and skills sets, and not just experience," says Vandana Naidu ,
a senior HR executive with a KPO. "New ideas, flexibility, quick learning and an open mindset are valued. The changing economy and HR policies have played a role in changing the rules of the game. Today, there are many younger professionals, even fresh graduates, who over take veterans at work".

The resulting gap often becomes complex. Each group comes with a conflicting set of ideas and values; striking a balence becomes difficult. But the way forward is to be senstitive and accept each other.

"Both generations should approach each other with an open mindset," offers 32-year-old Naren Patki, a manger in a PSU, speaking about his experince with a 48- years old junior, he says,"intially , it was difficult to work with him, he was adamant about doing things a certain way.It was difficult to get him to adopt new methodologies.I guess it was not reasonable to expect him to change at once either".

However 54-years old Radhakrishnan, a government servant, says "young professionals step in with bookish knoweledge . A degree from a leading institute does not make one an efficent manager.Certain lesson must be learnt on the job.Therefore , when a 20- year-old walks in and decides to change things on the basis of a certificates, it is difficult to accept it".
While the young believe that their out-of box ideas can bring about revolution over night, experienced professionals beg to differ as they percieve young professional as being in-experienced, overconfident and impetuous, and therfore choose to continue with age -old practises.This can be counter- productive.
Bridging the generation gap is important to ensure smooth fuctioning.Listed below are a few pointers:

BE ACCOMMODATING

"Donot typecast an individual , and do not let ego govern you," advises Rancha Patak, an in house carrer counsellor with a financial solutions firm."it's important to be accomadating .Neither of the group are evil, nor is any one at work to please the other.Look at each other as colleagues, be accomadative of new ideas and work in sync".

TALK IT OUT

Whenever you are in a conflicting situation, its best to talk it out, and arrive at a conclusion that will help accomplish the task effictievly.

LEARNING CURVE

Each on has some inherent strenghts and weekness and it is wise to benefits from each other's strenghts.If the lessons of experience can solve a problem, why no adopt it? Or, if a young professional can tackle business much more effectively , why not appreciate it?

RESPECT

Donot look down upon seniors as patronising, or young profesionals as aggressine.

(source :www.bangloremirror.com)