Managing Leadership^®

It is common enough for those of one generation to be suspicious of the capabilities of others. Either we had to rectify the poor job our predecessors did of managing the world, or our successors aren’t up to the job. This happens whether we are talking about generations in society, or at work.

The thing is, though, it is usually wrong. We often have been seeing – or paying exclusive attention to – misleading evidence. To be fair, one of the problems here is that negative evidence – at least, about other people – tends to be more prominent.

We are surrounded by powerful images in the popular culture of destructively superficial lives led by the younger adult generations. How could we not be concerned that the leading columns of these are now taking over the reins of our communities from the superannuated Baby Boomers?

Stories are legion of the self-centered, “work-life-balance” orientation of these young adults at the office. They seem to have no dedication, no generalized work ethic. Certainly, we will fear for the future as they fill the management ranks left vacant by those famously retiring elders.

But we who are members of that withdrawing demographic group might do well to recall similar concerns expressed about us – perhaps the most self-celebratory generation of all – as we emerged from our own youthful inanities into the real world. We may feel we’ve done reasonably well, but at the very least, the jury’s still out on that – and it would probably be best if we didn’t insist on serving on it ourselves.

As for the new troops marching in to fill the ranks we now begin to vacate, we very likely exaggerate their presumed shortcomings at least as much as we do our own strengths.

I recently happened to observe a group of these young adults, members of the US Navy, preparing to perform the daily ceremony of raising the colors. They checked each others’ uniforms to make sure they were immaculate. They exchanged advice on how to prepare each uniform item to look its gleaming best.

They rehearsed the detailed steps of the ceremonial procedure, reminding themselves of the symbolic meaning of each one. They both directed and assured each other that they would perform the ceremony in a manner that honored the flag, the observers, their Command, and their country.

It took me back to when I participated in such ceremonies. It reminded me of how I and my fellows felt, thought, and acted as we prepared to perform this same tradition.

And that’s when I knew: It’s okay. They are us. They will indeed deliver themselves in a manner that does honor to us all. In our communities. At work. Everywhere.

Perhaps we should continue to try to do the same.

—

Today’s tip: Speaking of honor and courage displayed below the radar, please take a moment to view Cam Beck’s must-see essay on how hard life may, or may not, really be.

—

Thanks for stopping by, today. If you enjoyed your visit, please take a moment to subscribe, so you can visit again in the future from the convenience of your email client or RSS reader.

Technorati Tags: generation, society, work, culture, Baby Boomer, dedication, work ethic, management, US Navy, flag, Command, tradition, honor, courage, Cam Beck