Navigating Generational Differences: Insights from a First-Year Teacher and HR Professional.

As a first-year teacher, I had many a-ha moments, but one in particular really stands out. It's the last week of the school year - the deadline for finals has come and gone, and a couple of students never submitted their final exams. I’ll be honest, my first thoughts were focused on their well-being — 'Are they okay?'—but then, I found myself questioning, 'Are they lazy?' and 'Do they not care?' Then I remembered something my older daughter said at the beginning of the semester when I told her about an assignment I planned to give the students. She responded that if she were in my class and received that assignment, she would calculate her grade to see if she could skip it without impacting her overall grade.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, but when a couple of students skipped the final, I became curious and called my daughter to get her perspective. She proceeded to tell me that students calculate their grades throughout the semester so they can allocate their time and effort appropriately. Teachers also specify the number of allowable absences, giving students the flexibility to skip when feeling stressed or overwhelmed. This approach treats academics like a budget, prioritizing time and energy where it's most beneficial and allowing autonomy in completing tasks. In contrast, my generation viewed academics as a checklist of tasks to be completed. I never saw an assignment as optional – I was told to complete it, so I did, not even considering how many points it was worth or the toll on my mental health.

As an HR professional, I've reflected on how this mindset translates to the workplace. My generation was taught to complete tasks as assigned, whereas my daughter’s generation is comfortable eliminating unnecessary assignments and instead places focus on tasks that make the most impact. This difference also extends to how we approach taking time off. I've often heard leaders complain about their younger team members taking frequent time off. Looking at it from my daughter's perspective, if time off is offered, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?

Reflecting on my experience as a first-year teacher has been eye-opening. The contrast between how today's students approach academics, with a focus on strategic allocation of time and effort, and how my generation viewed tasks as a checklist to be completed, has profound implications for both education and the workplace.

As an HR professional, I see the importance of understanding these generational differences. By recognizing and respecting diverse perspectives and priorities, we can foster more effective collaboration and create better workplace dynamics. This understanding also reinforces the need for clear communication and expectations regarding tasks, deadlines, and time off.

Moving forward, I plan to integrate this understanding into both my teaching approach and my role as an HR consultant, fostering greater autonomy for students and employees while ensuring essential outcomes are met. Ultimately, embracing these differences can lead to a more inclusive and productive environment where everyone's strengths and preferences are valued. Here's to continued learning and growth, both in the classroom and the workplace – and to making it through my first semester! ??