I came across this very interesting talk by Clay Shirky. He raises questions about how organisations can be enablers instead of obstacles to ideas and innovation. The challenge for organisations is that, no matter how big they are, they can only employ a certain number of people - they only engage a small percentage of the total world population in helping them solve their problems.

Some organisations have done something very simple and very smart and have offered the opportunity to help them to anyone who is interested. Facebook is a good example. When they first started they did their own development. Now anyone in the world can submit their ideas and have them taken up, And Facebook doesn’t even have to pay them. Makes you think doesn’t it?

Sally

I was chatting to a client this week and we were reflecting on how amazing some of our Gen Y colleagues and friends are. We both confessed to feeling a little envious at times. A touch of the “I wish I had been that confident, capable, wordly… at their age”.

I reckon these feelings are pretty common. Here is a generation who see fewer barriers in their lives, they tend to have more confidence in themselves and what is possible and they have much broader horizons on the world because of the internet and the fact they connect so easily with people around the world. I think it is understandable if the older generation occasionally feel a little envious, jealous, resentful even.  I often hear comments like “I had to work my way up the ladder, why do they think they shouldn’t have to”, “they are far too confident - verging on the arrogant”, “they just expect things too easy”.

These views and feelings are often expressed at meetings I have with clients.  I sometimes detect a mixture of resentment and a wanting to put Gen Y in their place. Yet on the other hand there is a realisation that their talent and confidence are marvellous assets that present a huge opportunity for employers.

I think the healthy and productive attitude is to accept the negative feelings as understandable  but to move on and look at the assets that all the generations bring to the workplace. The key is for each generation understood the others more: their intentions, passions and strengths. It’s not for Gen Y to ’stay in their place’ it’s for them to challenge the status quo, come up with new ideas, question old assumptions. It’s uncomfortable for us Xers and Boomers but great leadership is about allowing and encouraging that whilst mentoring and guiding when necessary.

Note to self: remember that when next talking to amazing, accomplished and inspirational 23 year old

Sally