Young people bring in vitality and new thinking to a team, while the older generation can pass the wisdom gained from years of experience
Published Date: 2010-09-12
Leadership League, Perspective, The Himalayan Times
Whenever I conduct trainings to foster youth leadership, one of the grievances that the younger generation have is that the adults do not listen to them. On the other hand, the older generation thinks that the younger generation does not apprehend the wisdom of the older generations. Many fundamental presumptions have to be conquered to achieve an ideal youth-adult partnership to encourage youth leadership.
The synergy between the young and older generation is the driving force of any initiatives. It is the blend of dynamism, wisdom and collective thinking that makes any work possible. Young people bring in vitality and new thinking to a team, while the older generation can pass wisdom gained from years of experience.
The exposures of the younger generation to the relationship provide essential learning to a young leader. Here are some key issues that need to be addressed for a fruitful youth-adult partnership:
Challenge traditional hierarchy: Primarily, it is necessary to overcome the conventional hierarchy between the young and the old. The old belief system and presupposition that “youth are always naïve and incapable to contribute constructively” has to be challenged. On the other hand, youth need to reconsider their stand that “the older generations never accept our views” and “they are not acquainted to the current changes.”
Get rid of generalised perceptions: Both generations have negative presumptions about each other. The tendency to oversimplify the perception of both youths and adults towards each other is the hindering factor for an effective partnership.
Know each other’s capabilities better: Both generations have to understand each other’s abilities to contribute to a group. They bring in unique qualities that blend to make a perfect solution. Their age induced characteristics have to be understood by both parties.
Collective planning and evaluation: Collective planning and evaluation results in a sense of ownership for both generations. Therefore, their contributions to an organisation as members has to be acknowledged and evaluated constructively.
The traditional dimension of leadership was merely an exploitative relationship between leader and followers. It has to be confronted to cultivate responsible leaders for the future.
Published Date: 2010-09-12
Leadership League, Perspective, The Himalayan Times
Whenever I conduct trainings to foster youth leadership, one of the grievances that the younger generation have is that the adults do not listen to them. On the other hand, the older generation thinks that the younger generation does not apprehend the wisdom of the older generations. Many fundamental presumptions have to be conquered to achieve an ideal youth-adult partnership to encourage youth leadership.
The synergy between the young and older generation is the driving force of any initiatives. It is the blend of dynamism, wisdom and collective thinking that makes any work possible. Young people bring in vitality and new thinking to a team, while the older generation can pass wisdom gained from years of experience.
The exposures of the younger generation to the relationship provide essential learning to a young leader. Here are some key issues that need to be addressed for a fruitful youth-adult partnership:
Challenge traditional hierarchy: Primarily, it is necessary to overcome the conventional hierarchy between the young and the old. The old belief system and presupposition that “youth are always naïve and incapable to contribute constructively” has to be challenged. On the other hand, youth need to reconsider their stand that “the older generations never accept our views” and “they are not acquainted to the current changes.”
Get rid of generalised perceptions: Both generations have negative presumptions about each other. The tendency to oversimplify the perception of both youths and adults towards each other is the hindering factor for an effective partnership.
Know each other’s capabilities better: Both generations have to understand each other’s abilities to contribute to a group. They bring in unique qualities that blend to make a perfect solution. Their age induced characteristics have to be understood by both parties.
Collective planning and evaluation: Collective planning and evaluation results in a sense of ownership for both generations. Therefore, their contributions to an organisation as members has to be acknowledged and evaluated constructively.
The traditional dimension of leadership was merely an exploitative relationship between leader and followers. It has to be confronted to cultivate responsible leaders for the future.
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