Volume XXII, Number 51 (Issue 1107) | December 16, 2024
Might as Well be Ancient History
My current read is a book that examines generational differences. I have studied this issue in the past, but it has been a few years, so it was time for a refresher – particularly since there is a new generation making its mark in the workplace. One of the things that struck me this time around is that reading about the events that helped shape a generation is a poor substitute for having experienced them in person.
For instance, as a Boomer (those born between 1946-1964) I literally lived the news and experienced the emotions triggered by the cold war, the Vietnam era, the Civil Rights and feminist movements, the assassinations of John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., the space race, and the Moon landing. My parents, members of the Greatest Generation (born between 1901-1927), on the other hand, not only witnessed those events, they also lived through the Great Depression and World War II. I heard their stories and have read numerous histories about the seminal events of the twenties, thirties, and forties. However, having been born afterward, I lack a meaningful emotional connection, let alone a keen appreciation for the nuances that those who lived then carry with them.
In the same way, Gen Xers (born between 1965-1980) grew up with Big Bird, Wayne’s World, and Home Alone. Among other things they witnessed the Challenger disaster, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Dotcom boom, and O.J. Simpson’s trial. Sometimes referred to as latchkey kids, they cannot help but lack a genuine appreciation for what my generation went through in our formative years and how those experiences helped to shape our perspective and values.
Gen Y (the Millennials – born between 1981-1996), will recall the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine massacre, and 9/11. However, they are in a similar boat to Gen X when it comes to what the Boomers dealt with in their formative years. Ditto for Gen Z (born between 1997-2012) when it comes to Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y experiences. Hearing the stories, watching, and reading the old news reports, even watching historical and fictional period pieces of those eras does little to create a connection that is close to the same as being there.
I mention this because as much as we might like to grasp the perspective of someone who is a generation or two older, it is not the same as witnessing those events firsthand. And never mind knowing what it is like to have been there, done that. There is no substitute for personal context. I am not diminishing the firsthand experiences of younger generations. The events of their times have given rise to their unique perspectives and values. But not having lived the events of prior decades does not mean we cannot benefit from prior generations’ experiences.
I have been blessed to have five mentors in my life – all of them were a generation or two older than me. What they had to share and what they taught me has been invaluable in my life and career. In some cases, those mentors took the first step to take me under their wing while in other instances, I proactively sought their wisdom. To this day I am grateful to each of them. Because of those lessons my hope is that those in the younger generations, including those not yet in the workforce will benefit from a mentor or two or three. To that end, if you have some wisdom to share and are asked to share what you learned, do not hold back. And, if you are in a position in your organization to facilitate the formation of mentor-mentee relationships, by all means make it happen. Your people and your organization will be the better for it.
Knowledge is best when it is shared.
Soli Deo Gloria
“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalms 100:5
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Website: www.jkeithhughey.com
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