Before we discuss the recent topic of my leadership program about Diversity, I was pleased to see that PSEG has announced a $700million plan to install solar panels on public places such as schools, municipal complexes, telephone poles and more. Yes, you've seen me recommend this, but I'm not sure if it had any influence. I agree with the CEO that a more unified national program needs to be rolled-out, not just piecemeal.
Anyway, to Diversity. When most think of diversity, they think about color, potentially ethnicity. We discussed virtually everything, ranging from color, age, financial, religion, disability, gender, geography, and even intelligence. We had panelists from the Korean community, the Hispanic community and the Muslim community. Obviously the panel could have been expanded in a multitude of ways. All three communities stressed education and entrepreneurship. Only the Korean representative felt that their community wasn't seeing discrimination lately. All felt the new Federal Administration would bring better relations. All face challenges in getting people involved in the political process, as often adults are working more than one job, and there is still distrust of authority.
Generationally, our workforce is divided into four categories, which is a first in history. The Veterans born 1927-1945 makeup 10% of the workforce. They plan for rainy days and work at one job for life, as they grew up in the Depression/WWII age. The Boomers born 1946-1963 are the workaholics and consumers, and they makeup 50% of the workforce. Generation Xers born 1964-1979 distrust government and corporate America, as we've seen too many people screwed. Xers were the first group to really see divorce, and they value the balance between work and life, making up 25% of the workforce. Generation Y makes up 15% of the workforce. Those born after 1980 are not followers, seek diversity, are totally wired, and believe it or not, think parents are cool. In addition, GenY is about to inherit the savings from GenVet.
During the discussion, so many people cited anecdotal components of their lives - parental upbringing, friends, bad experiences, etc. My summary is sort of simple - Our personality is guided by our experiences, plus the shocks that occur in between. Dinners around the table, wisdom from family, harsh words when you're out of line, and everything in between. Throw in loss of loved ones, near-death accidents, lay-offs, and other shocks to the system. Leaders see the personalities in others, empathize with them, and understand why they feel the way they do. In the end, there still has to be a common goal, and we need to find it.
I'd love to think that mankind is similar to a forest. Trees help the stuff below it, and vice versa. Unlike the forest however, people do have that utmost of human nature, self-preservation (selfish often).
I'm considering putting together a youth soccer team of multiple towns with multiple backgrounds. I'm coaching anyway, I don't care about winning/losing, and it's an experience to remember for the kids involved. It's a work in progress, so we'll see.
Last weekend was the "Genteman, Start Your Engines" program urging men to get screened early for various diseases, including cancer. It was sponsored by the Bergen Cancer Coalition. I'm curious of the number of attendees. Maybe we'll have an event closer to me next time.