| We’re too cool to wear the company logo | | | | what they say and what they do not say. If they |
| embroidered denim oxfords from the retreat. | | | | are one of the rare employees who are disdained by |
| We’re not afraid of sushi; in fact we love it. And | | | | their boss but are still employed, analyze their |
| we’re the wave of the future, so who are you | | | | situation. Why does the boss hate them? Why are |
| to tell us otherwise? | | | | they still around? Are they that good at their job or |
| My generation of twentysomethings often gets a | | | | is their brother the president’s best friend? Then |
| know-it-all attitude for a variety of reasons. So when | | | | apply this knowledge to your career by determining |
| someone tells us “computers do more harm than | | | | answers to questions such as “how much can an |
| good” and can’t figure out how to set his | | | | employee get away with before their job is in |
| fantasy football lineup then attempts to give us | | | | jeopardy?” |
| advice, we think “ha, like I would ever listen to | | | | 3. Your New Buddy – asking for advice from an |
| someone so out of touch and delusional.” In | | | | older colleague will endure you to him. There is no |
| actuality, this person has a lot to offer us and their | | | | easier way to flatter someone than to ask for their |
| thoughts on technology may originate from feeling | | | | advice. You may have to sit through a few war |
| threatened by the high tech world or for another | | | | stories but nod politely and smile while doing so and |
| completely legitimate reason. | | | | you will have gained an ally for life. |
| It’s true—our older co-workers may not be | | | | It is important to keep the advice in perspective, is |
| able to tell us what the keyboard shortcut for | | | | your older coworker a tremendous success or has he |
| “paste” is, but here are some truly valuable | | | | been stuck in middle management, much to his |
| lessons they can impart: | | | | chagrin, for ten years? With a few rare exceptions, |
| 1. Experience – all these situations younger | | | | by the time someone is 55 they have reached their |
| workers are coming across, that older coworker has | | | | appropriate spot in the organization. Learn more |
| lived through before—probably multiple times. Not | | | | about them and determine why they are in this spot |
| only have they done it but they’ve failed and | | | | in the organization. Regardless of job title all of your |
| succeeded in those spots so they know exactly | | | | older colleagues have their own unique wisdom to |
| what works and why. Next time you want to get | | | | depart all you need do is ask. |
| out of the weekly sales meeting first consult your | | | | (If this column receives a positive response, a second |
| older coworker, in all likelihood they have a list of | | | | article on what the older generation can learn from |
| proven techniques for playing hookie. | | | | the younger generation could be written. Either I or |
| 2. Office Politics – if they’ve been around | | | | an older coworker could write/co-write it. |
| this long, they’re doing something right. Watch | | | | |