Over the past years, I’ve had to work with multi-generational teams. I’m not always the oldest one, nor always the youngest. I find that working with younger people, keeps me young. It amuses them to teach me new lingo, just as they look surprised when I understand some new slang. Being a mother to sons aged 22 and 18, I’ve also found myself more patient when things are done differently than what I’m used to … even when it puzzles me no end!
As a professor, I’m only getting older and the students younger. As an administrator, I’m not yet senior leadership. As Gen X, I stand between the Boomers and Gen Y/Z. I don’t always like getting caught in the middle, acting as translator between them.
I thought we’d revisit this topic using the lens of healthcare teams. Join me on Bluesky for the #HealthXPH chat tonight 9 pm Manila time.
T1. What unique strengths does each generation bring to healthcare teams? How can we better leverage these differences?
T2. What are the biggest communication challenges between generations in healthcare, and what strategies have worked to bridge these gaps?
T3. How can healthcare organizations create mentorship programs that flow both ways – with older professionals mentoring younger ones AND younger professionals reverse-mentoring senior staff?