Читать книгу Clash of the Generations - Grubb Valerie M. - Страница 11

These days, the ideal employee isn't someone who's good – or even great – at his or her job. The ideal employee is someone who not only excels at his or her work but also understands how to be part of a diverse workforce.

At the time I first started working as an engineer at Allison Gas Turbine, the company had two employees who were among the very few subject‐matter experts in a highly technical field. Their specialized knowledge and skill sets allowed them to get away with inappropriate behavior (such as yelling at other employees or giving attitude to their bosses), because management considered them “too smart to let go.” By the time I left Allison several years later, though, the company had replaced those two employees with individuals who were not only good at their jobs but who had been hired specifically because they were also able to get along with their fellow employees. What many companies (including Allison) have learned in the past decade or two is that great companies are built on many great individuals working together. Arrogant hotshots are less tolerated now, even if they have valuable skills, because their bad behavior can adversely affect the entire company in numerous ways, such as driving away great employees or making the organization vulnerable to lawsuits. Having a subject‐matter expert or rainmaker on board can be fantastic for the company – as long as he or she understands the importance of getting along with others in the workplace.

Does that mean you need to stifle differing opinions or refrain from saying what you mean? Hardly. In fact, one reason to diversify your employee base (not just in age but in many other ways, such as ethnicity and gender, among others) is so that different experiences can weigh in on business decisions – these multiple perspectives can ensure that you're bringing the best ideas to the table. Homogenous groups have homogenous viewpoints. Although diversification can expand the knowledge and experience base that can yield ideas for future growth and broadening the customer base, keep in mind that inviting differing opinions means you must be open to new ideas and embrace the differences that arise.