Wisconsin native Phil Gwoke is a generational expert, thought leader and CEO of BridgeWorks who will deliver the keynote address “Leading Across Generations” Oct. 28 at Insight’s Manufacturing First Expo & Conference in Green Bay.
What motivates you to do generational diversity work?
Gwoke: I love seeing people develop at both ends of the spectrum: emerging professionals entering their career, and experienced professionals learning something new, even with 15, 20, 30 years underneath their belt. If we’re not learning, we’re losing it.
What do people get wrong when they try to “lead across generations?”
Probably the main thing I see is people assuming that others want what I want, or that they value what I value — what motivates me is going to motivate them. You’re giving your team a carrot, if you will, that would have made you push a little harder, show up a little earlier, stay a little longer, and in the meantime, from one generation to the next, there are different [motivations]. That’s the gap that we try to bridge.
How do you help your clients bridge the knowledge gap?
I’ve spoken directly with boomers who have said, “You know, they want me to share what I’ve learned. It’s taken me 30, 35 years to gain all this information. They just want me to give it away for free. For free! No one handed me that information. Why should I just pass it along to them?” Right? So … it’s not always what people are saying. It’s what they are feeling below the surface of it. You want to adapt the way that you package the knowledge transfer to mirror or to reflect the experiences they just had. We’ve found often with the right reasons for the experienced professionals to share, and the right style or method in which that message is passed along, the two can align really nicely.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about how generations actually see one another?
Probably the most surprising thing is the fact that generations do want to work together. When those clash points show up, the assumption is one group is pitted against the other, and there’s mutual disrespect. And that’s not the case. Often, young people, when they’re entering their careers, they’re excited to learn new things. And those seasoned professionals are excited for that new energy. But what happens … is in those early engagements, because of miscommunication, because of misaligned values, they believe very quickly [that] there’s something wrong with them.
— NEW Manufacturing Insights, Ep. 123, insightonbusiness.com/podcasts
Listen
To episode 123 of the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast for more with Gwoke, and register for the 16th annual Manufacturing First Expo & Conference at manufacturingfirst.com.
