Truth

Young and the Old Together

Recently there has been a lot of discussion on what to do with seniors and young people at the same time in different types of business’ and organizations. The young want to do things differently and the seniors want to go on their experiences and pass on what they have learned and how they transitioned from their youth into being a senior.

I remember serving an apprenticeship at a large company right out of high school. I was under the leadership of a gentleman that had 40+ years of service and a wealth of knowledge. There were other young men that served along with me and remember them saying how they could do things better and quicker than any of these old men. I pondered what they said and realized they had no more experience or talent than what I did so how could they have all this knowledge. I determined then that I would learn all that I could and would listen to those that had already gone down that path and would add to that as I learned.

The technology has advanced so much since those days, but I still build on that philosophy. The young people know the latest and advanced techniques of doing things and have a great opportunity to share that wealth of knowledge to their senior constituents. The seniors have to realize that things have changed and in many ways for the better, we just have to get used to them. The young people don’t have to watch a black and white television or rely on the radio for entertainment. You mean you grew up and your family had a car: we walked everywhere we needed to go.

There is no reason that these two groups can’t get together and build a better organization that will reach out to the masses and be an example for others to follow. A lot of seniors I know enjoy learning and have a curiosity about the wrist phone and the door bell that lets you know when someone is approaching. When seniors learn, it keeps them active and their mind sharp and the ability to reach out to others. The young person that teaches has the satisfaction of sharing what someone has taught them or the hours of study for self-learning.

What if a company, organization, used their seniors to promote their cause, changes and direction they want to take the company, organization. The young people are re-enforced and have the assurance that they are not alone in their quest to success. Imagine having boards and committees with a strong mix of the solid and sure personnell being furthered by the younger generation. Seniors have the pride to look back at their success and the contribution they have made and want the future to be even more successful than when they leave or change position in life.

One of Webster’s definition of culture is: “the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations”. There should be no reason why as culture changes, both young and old, make life better for all. When we walk into the doors of any institution we have had a part of, it should be like going back home.