What’s Age Got to Do with It?

By Iris Leon, member, EPIP Philly Steering Committee

We’ve all had that moment. The moment when our age smacks us in the face. I work on a college campus and I regularly have the opportunity to get a window into the minds of undergraduates. I’ve become increasingly aware of one thing: they’re young. Young in an “oh, isn’t that cute you still think the world works like that” kind of way. It’s frighteningly easy to hear students talk and be dismissive of their ideas because of their inexperience and naiveté. Don’t get me wrong. These kids are also brilliant. But I’ve come to realize that what’s so difficult about observing them lately has nothing to do with the content or intent of their speech. Rather, it just reminds me that I’m now moving into a different phase of my own life—that I’m not that young anymore. I’m just about to turn…wait for it…30! (I know, I know. Cue the eye rolls from anyone over 30 who thinks I’m a babe myself and shouldn’t be complaining.)

But this brings up an important question. What does age have to do with it anyway? And in a professional context, how do generational differences impact how we behave, are perceived by others, and engage with people? Generational differences in the workplace can make it difficult to communicate with colleagues and navigate an organization. We’ve all experienced those moments when we feel outpaced by younger colleagues, or unheard and unacknowledged by more seasoned professionals (which, apparently I’m becoming guilty of, though I thought that would never happen. Groan.)

EPIP Philly & Local Partners Explore Intergenerational Spaces

Intentionally collaborating across boundaries is not just a nice, collegial thing to do: it is a necessity. Intergenerational cross-boundary collaboration in particular has been gaining attention nationally and locally.   Developing and connecting the next generations of nonprofit leaders while supporting senior leaders as they mentor, celebrate their legacies and discover their next steps are all essential.

The idea for the Intergenerational Working Group -- of which EPIP Philadelphia is a member -- began after December 2011, when a cross-generational group of nonprofit staff, leaders and other key stakeholders in the Philadelphia region convened for a day-long conference on intergenerational dialogue. At the same time, The Philadelphia Foundation, with its focus on capacity building in the nonprofit sector, had begun identifying intergenerational issues, as leaders in the baby boomer generation began to retire. The Foundation hosted a meeting with the conference sponsors and EPIP to explore common interests and possibilities.  As the conversation kept evolving and as others joined the dialogue, a few themes seemed to be shaping the work: the need for access, intergenerational collaboration and inclusion. Today, the initiative is still growing and continues to refer to itself as The Intergenerational Working Group (IWG).

Election Event in October!

Just had a great meeting with Philadelphia's most respected watchdog group, Committee of Seventy, to develop a program focused on the presidential election! We're working on a debate format... Tuesday, October 30... stay tuned!