“I know of no single
formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some
attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding
ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents,
their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work
together.”
– Queen Elizabeth II
Nothing … NOTHING brings hearts and
souls in unison like working together. Working together builds trust,
teaches conflict resolution, promotes risk-taking, and creates a
wider sense of ownership. From my years of teaching and working with
other groups like the Youth Conservation Corp, I have witnessed
unbelievable achievements as all ages plan and execute work projects.
As individuals with complimentary strengths find common ground in
labor, the results are often miraculous.
No one has to remind older folks of the
tremendous vitality and creativity of youth. We of
not-so-tender-years reminisce of our own past when energy and muscle
reliably fueled our endeavors. Most projects require both mature
understanding and youthful enthusiasm. When adults and young people
combine their resources, team spirit grows, and all involved gain
valuable new perspectives. The strong interaction, built on community
spirit, acknowledges this reciprocal advantage.
Quite simply, work becomes more
enjoyable as an honest, shared work ethic forms. It becomes a living,
breathing sense of integrity in a vibrant community. The inevitable
result is a reliance on a dependable, fair division of labor. Project
sharing across age groups bridges generation gaps and encourages
initiative. It emphasizes the strength in diversity as different
personality types find common ground in their industry.
I would like to express a notion we
hear frequently that I am sure has been alleged, in some fashionable
form or other, by every generation of adults since the first apple
grew in the Garden. It goes like this …
“These damned teenagers are so
lazy these days. The know-it-alls are just a bunch of phone-addicted,
selfie-obsessed, hashtagging, snapchatting, kale-munching, whining
babies.”
Talk about a
stereotype that would lower the self esteem of Horatio
Alger. No self-respecting adolescent wants to bear the weight of
being a spoiled sluggard who expects something for nothing and who
lives off the labors of others. These youth, more than likely, are in
the process of becoming more educated than their parents, and they
just don't want to screw up. We encourage to engage with caution in
nearly every endeavor. We warn them that no one owes them a living or
a happy life. Is it any wonder they take their time and question a
society in which they must dodge pitfalls at every step?
In truth, most young people
commonly considered “slackers” are hard workers looking for more
efficient ways of doing things. They crave respect, and many of them
have taken over the responsibility of caring for younger siblings.
Growing up in a either a single-parent or both-parents-working
environment. These adolescents were raised as mini adults. It’s no
longer Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood. In fact, it's pretty scary out
there now.
Older people claim youth have
very poor social skills, and perhaps they do if old standards apply.
But, communication and teamwork to young people now involve learning
from the collaborative nature of their unique childhood activities,
which include social networks, crowd-sourcing, and even video gaming.
To youth, so much social communication involves technology and speed
of connection.
Technology speeds up the
communication between people, and it provides convenience to use more
than one method of communication. Now, a conversationist can use
email, social media, chat messengers, video conferencing, video
calls, images, videos, symbols, diagrams, charts and emoticons etc.
for the communication – all technology available to busy fingertips
24/7.
Is it any wonder
speaking skills falter when face-to-face communication is now so
outdated? One can understand how a reliance on digital devices makes
things such as reading non-verbal clues obsolete in a filtered,
device-driven environment. Technological advances have made
verbal communication redundant in many parts of life – now you can
take a college class, shop for groceries, or interact with a personal
trainer online. One must really question how face-to-face
communication will weather the changes afforded by technology.
Are young people really less social
than their parents and grandparents? Or, are they practicing a new
manner of social contact more suited to the world in which they live?
A Common Sense Media census report released in 2016 found half of
kids in the U.S. have some form of social media by age 12. Trends are
so important to children who face so much pressure to be popular and
readily accepted.
Although many parents worry about their
children's abilities to analyze the truth and maintain privacy at
that age, many are now setting strict boundaries and monitoring
activities as their kids use these sites. After all, no guardian
wants to impose isolation at any age.
MIT Technology Review recently
hosted a review by Manuel Castells, Chair Professor of Communication
Technology and Society at the University of Southern California, who
offered his
in-depth analysis titled “The Impact
of the Internet on Society: A Global Perspective.” In this presentation, Castells said
...
“The media often
reports that intense use of the Internet increases the risk of
isolation, alienation, and withdrawal from society, but available
evidence shows that the Internet neither isolates people nor reduces
their sociability; it actually increases sociability, civic
engagement, and the intensity of family and friendship relationships,
in all cultures.”
I certainly know one thing
about modern communication. When an old codger like me seeks help and
understanding about computers, cell phones, and other electronic
devices, we run to the younger generation for their technological
expertise. We – the young and old – need each other. And, we must
construct better avenues of working together to achieve the results
we desire.
Without a doubt, the need to work
together exists. Sharing labor offers great benefits to all ages,
cultures, and personality types. Such engagement strengthens group
and personal skills. It is vital for community growth and inclusion.
The lifeblood of any group depends on the service of its members. I
believe the failure to encourage employment of all ages stifles
growth and threatens important objectives.
According to a study done by Search
Institute (2014), 25 percent of youth feel that their community's
adults value them, and 28 percent of youth feel that they have useful
roles in their community. This is alarmingly low. Youth-adult
partnerships can foster success by allowing young people to share in
the decision-making power in communities; these partnerships allow
youth to assume important roles as active citizens.
In addition, youth-adult partnerships
dispel negative stereotypes about the perceptions and capabilities of
teenagers. Working together to accomplish meaningful tasks, teenagers
and adults become aware of each others acute perception and immense
capabilities. This reliance builds mutual trust.
How, then, can adults and youth best
employ their common energy, passion, and commitment? Adults must
readily partner with youth and work together with these young people
in projects that build community. The labor can be initiated with
activities as basic as voicing opinions or sharing simple physical
tasks. It strengthens as common they identify needs and explore basic
ideas to achieve goals.
I strongly believe young people should
be personally invited to become members of community organizations.
Few will join without encouragement because many feel they have
nothing to offer, they won't know anybody, or they think it will not
be much fun. And, here is the focus of my essay – working together
generates happiness and approval. Yes, working in a group is
rewarding and enjoyable.
Work in community organizations may
seem like obligation and service to adults, but most young people are
standing at the beginning of a long, difficult journey without the
experience to understand the value of giving back to their community.
Likely school and church comprise their frame of reference for such
interaction at this tender age. Youth need to join broader efforts to
further effect their own environment.
The work young people do for their
community teaches them that helping others makes them feel good about
themselves … and more … it simply teaches them to trust the power
of hard work. That's a lesson we know sets a person on the road to
success.
I believe young people want to be fully
engaged. They want to learn. Good learning involves direct
experience. And, it follows that work is the foundation of practical
involvement. Learning is often most effective when it is social; when
it occurs as a shared activity within meaningful relationships; and
when it allows for increasingly responsible participation—within a
tradition, or a community of fellow learners, or one’s culture at
large.
Therefore, I encourage the Lucasville
Area Historical Society to invite young people to join the club in
its meaningful endeavors. The talented youth in the area represent a
great resource, one that is largely untapped. I believe people must
be taught to “see themselves” in roles of leadership and service
in the group. But, beyond that, they must also be shown that “seeing
themselves outside of themselves” leads to true fulfillment.
As young and old work together, the
service truly becomes communal. I hope many youth consider joining
the organization. I think the Historical Society should formally
invite these children to participate in all activities. I know such
participation would benefit all involved.
Footnote: A Lesson About Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs
When you just take from the world you live in and choose
not to contribute to it, it keeps you in a state of surviving no
matter how much you have or how much money you make. Jumping from
survival to success is a mistake and will land you back in survival.
However, when you contribute beyond yourself at each stage of
progression, you are consuming and contributing which creates
balance.
Contribution doesn’t happen at the
top of the pyramid, it occurs throughout every stage. If you make it
only about yourself, you won’t stay in success or significance and
feel fulfilled. Success does not always mean making lots of money
alone so keep that in mind. Success includes having all aspects of
your life working together. Job, family, faith, and your place in
your community.
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