Tag Archives: mentoring

Mr. Henck Goes to New York

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NY 5

Just over a month ago, I had the great privilege to be speak on a panel at the New York Times, invited to join a conversation on “Intergenerational Leadership: The Challenges of a Shifting Workforce.” This event was co-sponsored by the International Leadership Association (ILA) which I’ve blogged about before here and the NYTimes in Leadership project, working to connect college students with current issues of leadership in practice across the globe.

As you know, my own experiences with our changing world of work, started my own efforts here on “The Millennial Journey.” As a Millennial manager working with staff and volunteers from across the generational spectrum, my crash course in intergenerational leadership launched my interests and pursuits of continued learning, research and study. This panel event was organized by the Global Coalition on Aging, as a “part two” of last year’s Annual Forum on Leading Across Generations in Berlin. Having had the opportunity to present at that event, I was excited to continue the conversation in New York.

The long story short is this: people are indeed living longer, working longer and retiring later. Our 20th century ideas and notions of aging and work need to shift to the realities of a rapidly changing 21st century workforce. Not only does this affect senior citizens but it tremendously impacts Millennials joining the workforce for the first time at record rates.

Since I’ve had a number of inquiries about the webcast link from the event, I wanted to share that with you. The full two-hour panel discussion (which I personally found fascinating!) can be viewed here. As you’ll quickly learn, this was a spirited conversation with some important conclusions shared. If you tweet, I’d encourage you to check out and join the conversation using #ILANYT. I’ve been told that this panel has been invited to reconvene at the 2013 Global ILA Conference in Montreal, so I look forward to continuing this dialogue.

We don’t just need organizations with multigenerational teams, but instead intergenerational approaches to leadership and life together that transcend our old ideas of age, position and power.

Meaningful Mentoring

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I had the great pleasure of having a few days off last week and drove down to San Diego, spending some time at my alma mater, Point Loma Nazarene University. I like to make my trips back as productive as possible and had a remarkably gratifying day–complete with a lunch get together, an impromptu conversation and a chat over frozen yogurt–all with 3 individuals who are mentors in my life.

Through talking and catching up with an old boss, my college advisor and one of the leaders of my first international short-term missions trip (to South Africa)–I ended the day, honestly, in an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Each of these mentors have been a part of my life for as many as 5 years and have seen me learn, be challenged, and grow through several different chapters of life.

I’ve thought a lot recently about the concept of mentoring and the value that this simple practice has on both the mentee and mentor. My hope is to continue appreciating those in my life who mentor me in their different ways. I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to teach, love and support a small group of high school students at my church each week. As I continue through life, I pray that I’m able to find more avenues in which to share my life story and experience to positively influence the lives of those around me, just like those who mentor me.