A New Breed of Talent 3 September 2010
The stereotype for my generation is very simple; we have short attention spans and like technology. As much as I’d like to disagree I really can’t. For the past hour I’ve sat here twiddling my thumbs and searching the internet for something to inspire me. I like to have constant reassurance that I’m doing the right thing but at the same time I like to feel in control and independent. I need a lot of motivation and get bored far too easily. Hands on learning appeals to me. I am a “typical teenager”.
It wasn’t until I researched further into learning in the workplace that I actually realised that other generations learn and work completely differently. Perhaps this was ignorant of me, but I also think that each generation thinks in the same way. To them, the way they know is THE way. Each person believes themselves to be the norm. With the majority having an attitude similar to mine, many generations working within one workplace becomes much more difficult.
From what I have learnt, there are 4 generation groups; Baby Boomers (post-war), Generation X (1964-1982), Generation Y (1980s) and Generation Z (1995 & onwards). Having been born between Y and Z, I can see that I have characteristics of both groups, I could work with both groups of people. However, I would find it very hard to adapt to the working style of that Baby Boomers and the Generation Xers. My work would not be to the best of my abilities and I certainly wouldn’t enjoy my job.
Personally, I don’t know how to fix the gaps. But something has to be done to make the workplace an efficient happy place to be in. That’s where The Talent Pool comes in. How can they help? The Talent Pool can take away the complexity for employers who find that this is a problem by offering a development programme that meets the needs of all generations in the way they develop talented employees and much more. Making the workplace and the workers within it better equipped than other businesses.
Article by Amy Pattison, age 17, 6th Form Student, Wellington School
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