Are You Bridging Gaps or Creating Gaps?

Do you believe a generation gap exists in our society? As a leader are you bridging or creating generation gaps? A few years ago, I periodically met with Billy Bellyacher. You know the type. They rarely have anything good to say and their mission and purpose in life is to gripe, complain, find fault, and be overall miserable. The main purpose for our meetings was discussing changes in our profession, comparing notes, and ensuring there were no issues on the work front. Inevitably he began to complain about the young people who worked for him and how he did not understand them. Billy said they constantly asked questions and he viewed that as bucking his authority.

At first, I attempted to explore his sense of frustration and asked if the younger members of his organization were merely trying to learn more about the job and what was expected of them. Billy dismissed that idea and said it was clear to him they were challenging authority. After a year of hearing the same mantra, I just sat there drinking my coffee, staring at him, while making futile attempts to steer the conversation in another direction. After all, we need to have the wisdom to know when we hit a brick wall with someone.

Billy Bellyacher was convinced there was a generation gap, and he was right. Billy was the author and creator of the gap and he was not interested in bridging it. Billy knew his job from a technical standpoint and performed well in that capacity. However, from the leadership side he created gaps as wide as the Delaware River in the picture.

What about you? Are you creating a generation gap? Are you a Billy Bellyacher complaining about the people who work for you? If so, I challenge you to do the hard work and bridge any gaps existing between you, your family, colleagues, and those who work for you.