Five fears that keep senior leaders from engaging Y

by Sarah Sladek, Limelight Generations

I recently gave a presentation on the importance of recruiting and retaining younger generations in the workforce when someone in the audience raised his hand in vehement protest.

He assured me that concerns regarding younger generations in the workforce were no longer relevant. "All bets are off", he said, because the economy is in dire straits and younger generations will have to go back to kissing up and climbing corporate ladders.

Not so fast! For starters, the economic mess we've found ourselves in is not a permanent situation. And it certainly isn't going to stop people from aging.

Forty percent of our workforce will be eligible to retire in 2010. Whether all 40% retire at once or stagger their retirements throughout the next several years, that percentage will continue to increase with each passing year.

The economy might be in the toilet, but all bets are certainly not off.

As I travel around the country, I often hear questions and comments from Baby Boomers which are somewhat on the critical side--criticizing younger generations for their high expectations, for wanting to leave work early, or for their casual attitudes about dress and formal communication.

However, criticism usually stems from fear, and I have discovered there are five common fears keeping senior leaders from enjoying their younger colleagues:

• Fear of job loss. Since the beginning of time, senior leaders have been fearful of getting pushed out of the way by younger leaders. Nevertheless, if we want to compete in a global economy, then senior leaders and younger generations must work together. If you are a senior leader, willingly share your wisdom with our future leaders. When it comes to business, there is simply no greater cause.
  
  
• Fear of technology. As we all know, Gen Y is the most tech-savvy. They may be trumped by Gen Z (the next generation) but for now, they are certainly dominating in technology. If you are a senior leader and you are afraid of technology, then it’s up to you to get trained. Technology is here to stay.
  
  
• Fear of looking dumb. There is nothing more unnerving to some senior leaders than to be “shown up” by someone who is half their age. If you are a leader, then it’s up to you to admit when you don’t know something, and to be excited you have someone younger on your team who can answer that question. Younger generations know a lot, but you won’t know this if you keep them at bay.
  
  
• Fear of optimism. This may sound bizarre, but many senior leaders are pessimistic, while surveys (even recent ones) indicate that Ys are very optimistic. Leaders are only as strong as the people they surround themselves with, and your company will need the creativity, networks, and positive attitudes of Ys to pull it through these difficult times.
  
  
• Fear of change. There has been more technology developed in the past five years than the past 50 years. The youngest generations are accustomed to change, and they are bringing us new ideas, a new world view, and new ways to work. Traditions are important, but it’s equally important to evolve. Resisting change almost always leads to resisting relationships and talent which squelches opportunity.
  

If you are a senior leader, be careful not to resort to fears and stereotype younger generations as less motivated or more egocentric or downright difficult. Now, more than ever, we need fearless leaders. Leaders to encourage everyone to aspire to be the best they can be, while also encouraging collaboration and bridging gaps.

The future should be—must be—ours to build together.