communicating life experiences
By figurativeme
@figurativeme (1089)
Philippines
May 9, 2011 10:00am CST
The edge of the elders is in the lessons learned in life, both at home or in the workplace and both good and not so good. It is true that experience is the best teacher. But passing these lessons on to the younger generation is another thing. It is like talking to a wall.
I realized this today when I talked to a new and young administrator who almost lost his position due to the negative feedback we have been receiving from different sectors in the academe. I am with the human resource office of this University and I was requested to talk to this guy.
I won’t go into the details but at the end of our talk, I prayed that his experience won’t be such that he would end up a bitter person but to take experiences constructively and look at it as opportunities for growth. After all, he almost lost his new position but was given a chance to prove his worth considering his other abilities.
So…how does one get across the young ones such that they can benefit from the knowledge and experience of those who are their senior (in knowledge and in age)?
2 responses
@savypat (20216)
• United States
9 May 11
I have found that listen first, talk second works well with the younger generations. If you can get them to describe the problem from their point of view
and then ask if they want to know what you think you will often get what you are working toward. The attention of the person needing help. It will also give you hints on how to approach the problem. For instance, if this young man is having major ego problemsand the insecurity associated with that you will know not to
step on his ego, rather to approach the situation as a problem outside of that.
If he is intellegent and not completely self absorbed he will figure it out. Tell his we have a problem and this is the result of that problem, do you, (meaning the
administrater) know anyway we can solve this problem and if so how can I help you?
This way he will not feel that you are jumping all over him and become defensive.
Good Luck with this.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 May 11
Very nicely said and i totally agree with you.
Before sharing our experiences and our advices, we should first listen to the younger generation about their view on the matter. Only after hearing them, and asking if they are willing to listen to your opinion , can we share ours too.
We should not expect them to conform to what we said, but what's important is we have shared our experience and life's lessons . It will now be up to them to follow it.
@figurativeme (1089)
• Philippines
12 May 11
Your are right, simplyd. I listened to him first but I could see that tho he seems to go with the suggestions, he seem to pay it lip service.
My heart goes out to this kind of people who may have to learn life's lessons the hard way. But then, experience could be the best teacher. What I can do perhaps is to be there to help him grow in his job.
Thanks savypat and simplyd for your comments. Both your responses are insightful.
@saidahyou (4)
•
10 May 11
everyone should experience some different things and learn from that in your life.and no one could escape that.try to accept not only success but also failure.Only when you experienced it you can handle it another time.It's good for us to endure every negative things for your won.and then you can be mature.young people shouldn't been beat down by the little failures.when you fall down you should get up bravely and move on.
@figurativeme (1089)
• Philippines
12 May 11
Yes, saidahyou. I do hope so that this young guy would be able to face his hurdles and overcome them and in the process mature in his work.
Thanks for your response and welcome to mylot.
