OLD & YOUNG: Cross-Generational Mentoring.



If you are lucky, you have someone when you’re young who does not talk down to you, who speaks to you as a serious person. They exhort you to take something seriously, to take work seriously. If a person does that in the right way, you feel elevated.” 

-Edward Norton, an actor, filmmaker, and activist.



 

Currently, COVID-19 has taken the lid “off” many aspects that are not working well in the world.

People are looking for change.

The older generation sees that the problems are being revealed but they do not have enough time in their lives to sort them out.

The younger generation realizes there is much to fix and change.

 

MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY:

There are five generations who are currently active in our world.

These generations are described as follows.

  • 1996 – 2012 – Gen Z, iGen, or Centennials

  • 1977 – 1995 – Millenials or Gen Y

  • 1965 – 1976 – Generation X

  • 1946 – 1964 – Baby Boomers

  • 1945 and before – Traditionalists or the Silent Generation

In other parts of the world generation names can be influenced by regional events.

For example, in South Africa, people born after the end of apartheid in 1994 are referred to as the ‘Born Free Generation.’

 

Generation Z sees there are many issues to address.

They have energy and skills and are able to mobilize.

They have a great amount of drive, talent, and ambition.

They often realize they need to cooperate with the older generations.

A diverse group of mentors can assist them to create many areas of skills.

 

Older generations often hold more leadership positions.

‘They know the ropes’ better than the young generation.

They have been characterized as goal focussed, resourceful, and team-oriented.

Boomers realize that there is much to fix in the world.

 

CROSS-GENERATIONAL MENTORING:

Cross-generational mentoring can enable leadership development in the younger and older generations.

This also offers the opportunity to have a diverse group of mentors. For example, we could have a mentor in areas as health, wealth, and wisdom.

Research indicates that generationally-diverse teams can be better at problem solving and innovation.

 

BENEFITS:

People of different generations have much to offer each other.

When several generations share their experiences, skills and knowledge of older generations are combined with the new ideas and methods of youth.

This bridges the gap between generations.

It can create a more positive and productive environment.

New generations bring in new perspectives, fresh ideas, and differences.

This can make teams more cohesive and successful.

It enables members to expand their networks and get to know people outside their groups.

Cross-generation cooperation facilitates creative thinking.

It enables the team to come up with innovative solutions.

Multiple mentors can assist them to build skills in many areas.

By working together, the older and younger generations can:

  • -Energize older adults and give them a sense of purpose;

  • -Reduce a sense of isolation for older adults and even lessen depression;

  • -Learn new skills;

  • -Help younger generations understand aging;

  • -Dispel negative stereotypes and encourages bonding among generations;

  • -Fill social gaps where there may be no grandparents or grandchildren in their lives.

     

HOW TO HELP:

  • Encourage them to share what they have learned by working with other generations.

  • Help organize meetings, topics, questions, worksheets, and offer guidance.

  • Encourage teams to work together on shared projects.

  • Learn to appreciate insights of all age ranges and levels of experience.

  • Promote the idea of younger members’ insights being heard. A great technique is to give the newest team members the opportunity to speak first on topics.

  • Have the younger generation coach older generations through new tech developments.

  • Put aspiring leaders into the same room as senior leaders.

  • Share the objective of mutual mentorship where two-way learning is conducted. There is no mentor or mentee. Each person serves both roles.

  • Give them access to people who will do a lot of good for their careers.

What are your experiences with and thoughts about assisting our youth and older generations to practice cross-generational mentoring?

Please share your ideas on how we can work with our youth in this regard.

This will enable them to gain the communication and leadership skills to make them successful in this changing world.

If you require more information, please contact us.

LEARN MORE:

Are you are interested in learning more about online youth group sessions?

If so, contact us to obtain a report on a simple and easy system on how to set up group coaching programs for youth. You can do this in the ‘Contact us‘ section of the website.

Please contact us to enter the discussion, REQUEST A FREE COPY OF THE GROUP COACHING PLAYBOOK or JOIN THE REGULAR COACHES FORUM. 

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Wishing you lots of love and laughter, as always.

Fred Jones

Victoria, BC Canada

Fred Jones

Fred Jones

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