Advancing age a barrier to the modern day workplace?

The common perception that goes around is the amount of grey hair one has is directly proportional to the sensibility of his mind.The experiences gathered recently proved me wrong and after observing quite a few of the so called experienced campaigners, I have concluded that its more of an exception than a rule, especially in the modern era.The employees who are comparatively younger presents not only an added thrust in the workplace, but also shows more maturity especially while dealing with a host of stakeholders. The grey haired experienced hands are often at the receiving end mainly because of the head-weight they carry along with their personality. A normal individual who was a thorough professional during his prime now presents instances of childish/kiddish behaviour either through their peer management handling or through the estranged relationships they build with other staff members, including those at the helm and the ones below their level. The workplace having an equitable mix of old and young minds often comes across this crisis, and the positive channeling of the accumulated energy depends on the abilities of the organizational masthead. If the man at the helm happens to be an old mind he would generally favour the staff of his clan and age, however, the same cannot be said about a young boss as the 21st century folks are always on the look-out for new things and are fast learners and adapters. On the top of that if the workplace boasts of a diverse workforce comprising of different nationalities, the job is even more cumbersome for the leader.The ideal situation would have been to respect the grey haired individual owing to their age especially in a culture where age is considered head and shoulders above the exceptional talents possessed by the young minds. It is imperative for the decision makers to respect the young blood who are responsible for bringing in fresh perspectives, mindset and approach.The overall satisfaction lies in complimenting the old hands with the young ones in a way which is symbiotic for all concerned and is beneficial for the organization at large.

Policy of appeasing others in an organization

Many of the modern day organizations have developed a culture where the truth presented point black and white isnt accepted and instead the culture developed over a period of time appreciates appeasing others, buttering and oiling only to saisfy their egos.The egos can be derived from various reasons, one because the so called senior pros in the organization wants to show that they are different from the juniors especially when it comes to knowing the organizational systems and processes, the popularity of their brand name with the higher echeleons so on and so forth. The million dollar question is the overall impact the culture may have on the organizational growth.This policy of appeasement, humility beyond expectations can often go beyond the requirement so as to set up a professional culture, culminating in a feeling amongst the rank and file a feeling of "You Save Me, I Save you", "You Respect Me, I Respect You".These mutual understandings are often observed between peers aho are either at the same level or have the same level of seniority within the organization, even though they may be at different levels, functions or domains.The reason for the emergence for such culture is not difficult to find.On one hand immature heads at the top always craves for opportunities to satisfy their bolstered ego, which happens to be the right opportunity for those below so as to get their objectives being met.This is done both in cash and kind, depending on the surrounding environment, the status of the stakeholders involved,commonality of interests between the stakeholders,survival in a polluted environment with a specific objective in mind, which may be related to ones experience profile or to his earnings while being employed to the organization.Whatever may be the reason, over a period of time such organizations are full of Yes Man, rather than bold upright professionals who would call a spade, a spade.This further deteriorates the working environment and stagnates both the individual growth of the employees, along with the collective growth of the organization.

My article on Leadership and Team Management

My 431st publication in leading English Daily of Central India, The Hitavada,dated 15th September 09.

My Article on "Divided we Fall"

Read and Comment on my 429th publication published in the leading English Daily of Central India, The Hitavada, dated 8th September 09.

Read my article on KYP

http://www.iupindia.org/309/HRM_Review.asp?mag=http://www.iupindia.org/309/HRM_Review_sub.asp

The source given above talks about an article published in the HRM Review, March 2009, which talks about KYP. Know Your Peers, like that of KYC-Know Your Customers in the Indian banking sector is very important for all the employees working in an organization. People management being the key in a knowledge driven economy, it is imperative on the part of all concerned, irrespective of the level and domain one is working on, to know the nuances of KYP.

Read and comment, for symbiotic learning!