Generational difference is diversity as well you know!

There were lots of interesting takeaways but one thing that really resonated with my brain was the reality of different learning pathways. When both Kath and I qualified in our related professions it was pretty much, get a degree, become articled spend x number of years passing exams and then wait until someone left or died before opportunities for progression and a partnership appeared.

She explained how Blake Morgan have now developed a structured career ladder, millennials expect this, they want to see where they are heading. She also shared that they like the firms they work for to be ethical, not just having a policy but also living it. The word authenticity springs to mind.

But back to learning pathways. In 1979 I could have been an articled clerk in a firm of Chartered Accountants and not gone to university, this I think I remember correctly was the last year that option existed. Since then, degrees of all sorts have popped up as we have (controversially I will say it) driven more and more young people to university when often it wasn’t really in their best career interests.

Diversity and inclusion though are factors that appear to be changing that. Apparently, there are lots of solicitors now who trained as a second career or by doing an apprenticeship (articled clerk me thinks) and studied and learnt whilst working. What we are seeing is the opening up of opportunities to those who don’t go to university, maybe have been excluded academically in earlier life but who can add different perspectives and unique skills that those who just follow a traditional career path can’t see or use. Multiple learning pathways create diversity and foster inclusion.

Traditionalists were the generation before the Baby Boomers, it is their principles that are often mimicked by today’s leaders.

They often are heard saying “If it was good enough for me, it is good enough for them”.

WRONG.

They should be saying “It wasn’t good enough for me, and I will provide better for those now following me”

Those leaders that can see this will build better businesses for those who are going to run them in the future.

Overall, your business needs to be valued by your employees, that way you retain them and get the best productivity out of them. It is personal to each one of them so treat them accordingly and don’t just rely on annual appraisals speak to them just as if it is the continual assessment they went through at school. They are human beings, not machines, so treat them as such.

Being diverse and inclusive is about listening to the opinions of others, taking note of them, discussing them and acting on those that are appropriate and agreeing why others are not.

Those coming through are the future of the business, when you are retired, they will be driving it so give them the steering wheel and act as the instructor rather than just hogging it all the time.

Remember, as a business, be valued by your employees and make sure you are valued by your customers as well. Join those together and you will have a remarkable business.

Thanks again Kath, really enjoyed it there was so much more I could have shared.