Collaboration over Competition

So there's this phrase, and I used it a bit (I've since stopped) which goes "collaboration over competition" and it's generally used when in the context of competing firms niching down and working together.

Well... I hit a breaking point this past weekend. It started during a particular presentation at the leadership class (the one I almost feel asleep at thanks to the medication), but continued through the weekend as I had more conversations.

The thing that got me was this division amongst generations.

Let me explain.

In short, the comments I was hearing went something like "This younger generation is the reason why [insert societal issue] is happening," generally spoken by someone aged 50-75 toward a group 18-35.

Now, there are two sides to the statement... two opinions that can be heard from those having it:

1. Younger generation is complacent, ignorant, apathetic, and insanely arrogant in most things "life"

2. It's actually the older generation's fault for the poor leadership, lackadaisical attitude, and entitlement in life

Do you see the initial dilemma? It's purely divisive. Partially true, sure, but divisive.

One generation sees it as they've worked their tail off and for what? It's all being wasted by ungrateful kids.

The other (mine) sees it as "and who taught us what we know... your gen, pal" and doesn't see why there should be any extra effort given if the problem wasn't started in our generation.

Stop.

And that's what I had to tell myself Friday, then Saturday, and again on Sunday.

Just stop.

I was playing into the divisive conversation out of defensiveness. Not good.

So I began asking these questions...

What would it look like to set aside all the frustration and blaming each other and instead collaborate?

What if we stopped competing like it was gen against gen, and instead, collaborated?

See, the older generation actually needs the energy and innovation provided by the younger generation to make effective changes in this new day & age.

The younger generation desperately needs wisdom. Wisdom that is gained through decades of mistakes, experience, and applying... i.e. the older generations.

What if there was more sharing of insight? More asking questions and LISTENING by the younger generation AND the older generation?

What if we set out to support each other - my generation seeking to support and serve the older generation, the older generation seeking to support and help boost the younger?

What if we saw collaboration over division?

Obviously, I can only control myself. So what can I do?

I can humble myself, ask more and better questions, and LISTEN more actively and intently to those who have wisdom to share.

That's my vision, friend. I desire to LEARN, APPLY, and SHARE in order to make this world a better place and give my kids the best shot I can at working hard toward a life that matters.

Personally, I can't do it without the generations that have gone before. And I love their insight on life.

And my heart is that my generation would get excited about listening to their wisdom... and then APPLYING it.

Learn, Apply, Share. That's the key.

Well, that's all I have for tonight - hopefully the heart to unite comes through and begins to cast a vision for collaboration and humble listening.

We have a lot of work to do, and that's EXCITING! It's going to take a lot of humility, blood, sweat, tears, and collaboration.

Boy what a fun time to be alive!

I hope you have an incredible week!