Would it surprise you to learn that the fastest growing segment of today’s workforce is not Millenials or Gen Z—it’s Boomers? According to Gallup, that demographic is growing at 10,000 per day. Is 70 the new 60? People are living productive lives in conditions that would have curtailed their productivity and lifestyles decades ago. You are letting your most experienced employees leave, or worse, getting hired by your competition. Why not encourage them to stay, even in a part-time capacity, instead of ushering them out the door. If they are still mentally and physically capable of doing the job, have them mentor or train your new hires who may need to gain experience or know-how. Your aging workforce is your competitive advantage.

‘Intellectual capital is the sum of everything everybody in a company knows, giving it a competitive edge. Tap into the experience of an older generation.’ – Stewart.

Everything we choose to do alters our brains, fundamentally changing who we are, a process that continues until we die. Malcolm Knowles, an influential contemporary figure in adult education, believes that adults can learn new things given the correct set of circumstances and in an environment that they think is conducive to learning.

Knowles recommends applying these five adult learning principles to create a learning environment.

1. Adults learn when they understand why something is important to know or do. Make sure everyone understands the ‘why’ in what you are trying to teach them.
2. Adults can learn when they are free to learn in their own way. Incorporate all of the senses in your approach to ensure learning has occurred. Visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, everyone has a preferred learning style.
3. Adults like to link new knowledge to past experiences. Any activity that gets them involved makes the learning experiential.
4. Adults learn when the time is right for them to learn. Adults only want to understand what they need to know and when they need to know it.
5. Adults will learn if the process and environment are positive and encouraging. Be their biggest fan. Praise their performance and give them your sincere encouragement.

‘Experience is never limited, and it’s never complete; it is an immense sensibility, a kind of spider-web suspended in the chamber of our consciousness and catching every air-borne particle in its tissue.’ – Henry James.

We must overcome the myth that older workers can’t innovate. They can form new networks in their brains whenever they pursue new interests and activities. Cognitive learning theorizes that we can boost our brain’s cognitive performance. Your aging workforce is your competitive advantage.

We aren’t born knowing how to teach others what they need to know, but our leadership development programs will train you how. Contact Brian for details.

Copyright 2024. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. This article was written without AI assistance. Are you searching for a training provider for you or your management team. To learn more about Brian and what we can do for you and your organization, visit our website, https;//briansmithpld.com