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"All we have is the knowledge passed on to us by our elders, experiences we inculcate and hardly negate. But to bridge the generation gap, one needs to adapt to the new while retaining the goodness of the old."
-Sonali Bendre
Happy Spring from the NESDEC office. We hope everyone who is back from April break had a few minutes to slow down and enjoy some time with family and friends. We hope everyone still on April break will read this when they are back in the office next week. I believe we have officially turned the corner weather-wise as we begin to enjoy sunnier, longer, and warmer days.
Several articles in April’s edition of School Administrator Magazine addressed the generational differences that exist in the workplace today. For reference, I was born in 1961, so that places me at the end of the Baby Boomer generation.
In her article, "Unlearning Generational Conditioning", author Carolina Caro explores how Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z function in the workplace and what each generation brings to the table. Carolina describes how all leaders carry an invisible generational playbook; hers was greatly influenced by her immigrant parents who taught her that "grinding" was the path to survival and success. She spoke about current leaders' need to start the unlearning of our "Inherited Conditioning" that shaped our invisible playbook. It is important to understand, she says, how to shift the focus in the workplace to support an interdependence of all stakeholders.
Carolina closes out this piece highlighting that whether you are a Boomer, Generation X/Y/Z, a Millennial, or somewhere in between, it is important to reflect on your Inherited Conditioning and your invisible playbook and the impact they both have on your school district. To lead a successful district, one must recognize how they are shaping the whole and make the decision to evolve. Each generation brings something unique and impactful to the table, and so it is important that we all take the best of what each has to offer.
I was left with a few questions after reading Caro's article: How many of today’s current school leaders are Boomers? Are there still leaders who rely solely on a command and control approach in their districts? If generational influence plays such a role in our conditioning, why don’t my millennial children behave more like my wife and me? Is one approach better than another?
Inherited conditioning and the invisible playbook can certainly shape our leadership style, but I believe, more importantly, that core values shape the person. I was fortunate to have grown up influenced by grandparents, parents, and extended family that taught me to respect others, work hard, value family, and do my best to help others, not hurt them. I held on to many of the lessons they taught me and have learned to balance what I learned with where I am going. "Adapt to the new while retaining the goodness of the old", so to speak.
As the new generations emerge, will they believe there was enough "good" in previous generations to retain? I certainly hope so.
Dave
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