Outdated beliefs about the office that everyone needs to know


Let’s be honest nobody REALLY enjoys going to work, but we do so to earn our keep, put food on the table and get ourselves ahead in life. However, today’s workforce isn’t as it used to be – but is instead one giant conglomeration of Baby Boomers, Generation X-ers, and Millennials. Although this mix of age, minds, and beliefs should get on pretty well, this mix is actually having the opposite effect. Nowadays, the Baby Boomers are just counting the days until they retire, Millennials are pushing themselves even further to become top dogs at a young age, and the Generation Xers are awkwardly stuck in the middle of changing times. So how do you deal with it? Well, it seems you might need to change your outdated beliefs…

Outdated beliefs about the office that everyone needs to know

Believing that hard work is all it takes

When Generation Xers first started their career, the working world was a heck of a lot different. They worked on the principle that hard work and determination was the key to getting noticed, which would ultimately lead to promotions and better jobs that would get you ahead in the career world. However, times have now changed – and so has the path to being noticed. Nowadays, working hard is only part of the job, as with this work ethic you may find yourself stuck in the same role for many years without progression. To reach your full potential, you’re expected to dissect each aspect of your job role and company and make your own opportunities. Rather than waiting for it to come to you, you need to reach towards this new goal yourself.

That ‘time in grade’ is what matters the most

If you’ve worked at a company for 20 years, many Generation Xers believe that they should get paid more than those who have only just started – because ‘time in grade’ was a common conception during the heyday of Generation Xers. However, with new Millennials taking the helm and taking over leadership roles, these Generation Xers are reeling at the thought that these youngsters (who are new to the company and the role) are getting paid either the same or more than them. This is because ‘time in grade’ no longer matters in the business world. If you bring good ideas, new initiative, and hard work to the team, you will be compensated no matter how long you have worked there.

Outdated beliefs about the office that everyone needs to know

Believing that you don’t need to grow your network

Those who have worked in the business for decades believe that they have cracked the business world and know exactly how to work it to their advantage. However, what Generation Xers don’t realize is that with the ever-changing times comes new and improved ways of working in the corporate world. This inability to grow and change leaves spaces for Millennials, which can often lead to overshadowing. Of course, no Generation Xer wants that, so the best way to combat this is to always increase your network and grow your band of connections. This will allow you to keep up to date with current trends, relevant professionals and continue to climb the business ladder.

Avoiding new and improved communication platforms

Both Baby Boomers and Generation Xers tend to avoid social media at all costs – because what’s better than a phone call or a face-to-face meeting, ey? Well, in today’s day and age, social media and communications reign supreme, which means that an outdated opinion of these platforms just won’t cut it. Being able to understand these platforms and use them will allow the older generations to keep up with the younger Millennials and keep on the same playing field.

Outdated beliefs about the office that everyone needs to know

If you’re a Baby Boomer or Generation Xer who is fed up with the fact that younger Millennials are getting paid more than you, or achieving higher promotions than you, it may be because you office beliefs are outdated – so change your views, and change your beliefs, and you’ll see a change in your work!

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