SOFT SKILLS / INTERPERSONAL
Developing an Inclusive Mindset for Generations in the Workplace By Devin Simon, RPA
George Bernard Shaw said...
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” What do you think of when you hear the word mindset? What about growth mindset? Your mindset is the fixed, unconscious biased or adaptive lens. It is ideal, that we go into our workplace, with a growth mindset. People who have a growth mindset believe that even if they struggle with certain skills, their abilities aren’t set in stone. They believe that with hard work, collaboration and positivity, their skills can improve over time. People who have growth mindset believe that they can always improve something, and that perseverance, learning, and listening will help accomplish anything and that it’s never too late to acquire an adaptive lens. Developing an inclusive mindset in the workplace, and fostering that among a diverse group of employees, starts with a growth mindset. In order to learn and grow, you must first identify the fixed and unconscious lens and what you think you know about yourself and be willing to accept feedback in all forms. When people’s lenses and capacities are fixed, and rigid, they’re more likely to focus on shortterm goals, and may not be willing to give others the opportunity to present forward thinking success strategies. In other words, this can lead to people feeling excluded, less engaged, and unproductive.
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Insight • Special Issue, 2022
Generations in the Workplace Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z workers are filling commercial real estate establishments across cities, bringing a plethora of skills to the table, however different their vocabularies might be. Developing and nurturing the harmony among these diverse generations can be the difference between a productive corporation, to an innovative and thriving one. In other words, inclusivity is compulsory. There are defining moments that people lug around in invisible backpacks all day every day, and these moments shape who we are. Understanding and embracing the differences of those we surround ourselves with day-in and day-out is imperative to productivity and satisfaction within the workplace. When we shut one another down, and we do not consider input from the top down and likewise from the bottom up then we take away a huge component of a growth mindset lens, communication. It takes effort to understand our differences and celebrate what makes each of us unique. And when there is willingness and inclusivity, we feel seen. When we are seen, we thrive. Let’s take a look at the Baby Boomers, a group of professionals born from 1946-1964. The work ethic, ambition, and optimism they bring to the workplace is paramount. The experiences they’ve had should be respected, and we should utilize their knowledge in all areas.
