Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Good morning! Here are a couple of questions to get our conversation started today...

Considering the different “needs” assigned to the four generations on pages 15-17, --safety needs of the silent generation (born 1925-1942), belonging needs of the baby boomers (1943-1961), esteem needs of the Gen X’ers (1961-1981), self-actualization needs of the millennials (1982-2001) – how do we build community (in workplace and/or in the larger community) that both meets these different needs and harnesses the strengths of each? Can you think of a recent example at work or home where differing generational views were obvious to you?

By the way, thank you for taking the time to converse with me during my first day as a “blogger.” As I’ve mentioned to all, this is stretching my comfort zone. I am, however, enjoying reading your thoughts and stories—learning from them, too. Keep them coming and invite others to join! All welcome
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5 comments:

  1. Trevor LedfordJune 16, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    I think we have to first, build respect for each others' generations and needs. As a cultural issue, Americans, in general, don't respect previous generations as some other cultures do. I think this is one of our weaknesses. There are exceptions, of course. It's really easy to put down other generations because we don't have an internalization of their unique needs (or in some cases, even a superficial understanding). I think it also has to do with the fact that most people resist change vehemently. But if we each gain some open-minded perspective on other generations we can begin to use each others' strengths in poweerful ways. I don't think it's enough to recognize, "this person is different from me, I should accept it and try to work with it". I feel that it has to be deeper...We should ask ourselves, "Why and How is this person different from me? And how can we use those things to work together to be something more than we are individually"? We are the "Human Generation" after all.

    During the last week of this school year I was talking with a student about Mail Art. Mail Art is an artistic sub-culture that utilizes the Postal Service to exchange creative ideas with other people around the world in the form of art. One of the key components is that the hand-delivery of the envelope, postcard, etc. is an integral part of the process. Therefore, each piece is addressed by hand to the recipient and postage stamps are attached as part of the work. Well, this student was a freshman in high school and did not know how to address a simple envelope! It hit me, BAM...this girl has never had to address an envelope and very likely never will. At first, I thought, "this is tragic that she doesn't have this knowledge". Then I realized that this is no longer a skill that is actually NEEDED. Sure, it would be nice for her to know, but she can feasibly do everything online now. But I taught her anyway, and I'm sure she'll show me some technological things in the future. It's all good!

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  2. Ric MurryJune 16, 2009 at 6:25 PM

    First, thank you for leaving your comfort zone. I will use this point later. As much as anything, public schools need the experience of leaving the safe haven of the way things were done in the past, not just discussions about how we should grow as people. Your demonstration might lead our district into modern methods of communication, information dissemination, and connection with others.

    I am always skeptical of labeling things, ideas, or people, and in this case, generations. Ken Robinson says, “Once you label something, you can then dismiss it.” It no longer requires discussion to determine if other strategies are in order.

    Yet labels make it easier for us to deal with things more efficiently and effectively. So onward we go.

    Question 1: “…how do we build community (in workplace and/or in the larger community) that both meets these different needs and harnesses the strengths of each?”

    Recognizing that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. This begins by identifying one’s own strengths and weaknesses, and being honest, yet humble enough to admit them.

    [Here comes the "comfort zone" item I promised.]

    This level of transparency is frightening for those who seek safety, isolating for those who crave acceptance (belonging), and risky for those who have esteem as a personal objective: in other words, everyone born before 1982 according to Ryan’s categorization. So most of the faculty, staff, and administration have this common ground (of being uncomfortable) on which to stand.

    Personal growth is not easy; if it were everyone would continue to grow. For me, to engage in this kind of conversation within our district is difficult, although I have had many extended conversations in this format with people around the world, and have done so for nearly 8 years.

    Building community is like building a family on a larger scale. There must be trust and a belief that everyone is looking out for the best interests of each other. The larger the scale, the more difficult this becomes.

    Perhaps a reason why those born after 1982 are considered “self-actualizers” is because of the seeming ulterior motives of the generation before them.

    This discussion reminds me of the poetry of Mike and The Mechanics (Living Years).

    "Every generation blames the one before,
    And all of our frustrations come beating on
    your door,
    I know that I'm a prisoner to all my father
    held so dear,
    I know that I'm a hostage to all his hopes and
    fears,
    I just wish I could have told him in the
    living years."

    Question 2: Can you think of a recent example at work or home where differing generational views were obvious to you?

    I have dealt with the “generational views” for several years. The struggle is in the purpose and use of technology in school settings. It appears to me this way: The use of technology as an instructional tool (Millennials & some Gen X’ers) vs. the use of technology as a management tool (some Gen X’ers & Baby Boomers) vs. the absence or questioning of the need for technology (Silent).

    A shift has already occurred in some educational settings as it pertains to the purpose of technology: From management to instruction.

    Our students (“digital natives”, as Marc Prensky labels them) have never known a world without the Internet or cell phones. These instruments are a ubiquitous way of life for “natives” in that they use these instruments for numerous purposes, but mainly to connect with others. Much like television and radio for previous generations, the Internet, Facebook, MySpace, and Text Messaging is for this generation.

    “Digital Immigrants” (Prensky’s moniker for those born before 1990) view technology more as a “tool” to accomplish a goal; whether it is data management, communication, or production of resources. Immigrants have to have a “reason” to use technology; Natives use it because it is there.

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  3. AnonymousJune 17, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    I really do not like labels and basing our interactions with people based on when he or she was born. We are individuals whose needs are met in many different ways. Creating a climate in which these needs are honored is a challenge to any organization let alone a community. Ryan's book illustrates the need for the community to work as a unit to address these needs. I belonged to a civic group in town who recruits new members quickly, but they do not stay in the group. I know that I left because the group really did not accomplish anything other than getting together for lunch one day per month and giving a small donation to a local group. If they do not change their focus, they will probably cease to exist in Dalton.

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  4. AnonymousJune 17, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    One item that has not been brought out is that many operate under the mode of "fear", they don't feel they can be open with coworkers because it will affect their evaluation or their career. Now in some cases this might be valid but for most the encouragement and camaraderie gained from such conversations would have a much better end result than punishment would yield. Now why does this matter here? With the labeling of people we often alienate those who could help us grow. The labels may give someone a false sense of "entitlement" or place someone under someone elses social status. It is far more important to participate with and observe others before placing labels on these individuals.

    As far as generational concerns, I have aging parents and dealing with their situations and being involved with my children (8 and 10) bring new perspectives to me almost daily. Being able to connect with my school kids with Facebook and Twitter brings a new level of respect from them. They think it is cool they can talk to me at nigh t or whenever on Facebook.

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  5. lbhackneyJune 17, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    I agree somewhat with the parameters outlined in the book concerning time although when I applied the measure to myself and to others I know well, I saw pieces from several generation periods. I think that as others in this discussion have pointed out that we need to recognize and respect the needs of all members and put the label machine away in the drawer while at the same time we stretch as a team outside of comfort zones.

    Technology may very well be the key. Personally I see this gap bridged through techonology like facebook. I watch my parents communicate with their grandchildren and comment on pictures of the great grandchildren. I do find it amusing that as soon as they encounter a question with current technology, they contact the younger members of the family or call on the teenager next door. Of course when we have questions that requires wisdom we all turn to them first.

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