By Vince Baldasare
For me, personally, 2017 was life changing as I crossed over into a new age group and reset the digits, again. They now begin with a “5”. Age has never been a defining issue for me and I honestly have never given much thought to being 30, 40, or even now, 50. As an “older” father of a teenage daughter it is only recently that I am starting to feel out of touch with the present-day generation. I understand they are referred to as “Generation Edge” or “Generation Z”. I can relate to “Edge”: I feel on edge at times during conversations with her. Although I am sure many parents have felt that way with their children a time or two.
It seems we are placing a lot of emphasis on generations and the generational shift occurring from Boomers to Xers to Millennials. Generational changes are an ongoing unavoidable circumstance. I, for one, do not need a bumper sticker placed on me defining to which generation I belong.
That said, I believe three key components shape each of the defined generations: parenting, technology, and economics. Each of these were — and are — present in each one, although distinctly different. As I cross over into this new decade, these components have become more apparent to me as the values and traits related to them vary. Perhaps there is something to this emerging “generational shift,” as the differences from one to the next are mind-blowing if you take time to study them.
As a member of Generation X, I find the Boomers to be conservative, poised, and professional in their daily activities, including the workplace. The Xers — we are a group of independent contractors. Give us a task, and we will get it done for you — but please don’t ask us to be a part of your team. Millennials: I am still attempting to understand this generation and its language, although I do appreciate their dedication to the workplace and customers, as well as their overall collaborative mentality. (However, could they communicate face-to-face just once, without sending me an email from the next office?) As for Generation Edge, it remains to be seen. I expect I will have advanced to “after career” status before these folks are a part of my workplace and industry.
What does this have to do with water and wastewater? The generational shift is happening among us in our industry. It is present in our workplaces and with our customers, those we communicate with on a daily basis. It’s affecting how we communicate with each generation and how we design the new technology required to keep the precious resource of water clean for the generations that follow.
As leaders in the industry, we must embrace the changing generational landscape and find a path to understanding each one. The younger generations are technology savvy, always looking for the next “app” that gives them more speed and efficiency, yet we must not forget the older generations that appreciate a paper notebook and old-fashioned, face-to-face communication. Let us seek to find the collaborative middle for all.
WWEMA’s role in the water and wastewater industry as the voice of the equipment manufacturer is to assist us with maneuvering through the legislative and regulatory landscape. In addition to this and many other related services, WWEMA provides specialized training on emerging trends such as human resources changes and the generational shift happening in our industry, as well as how to understand and employ best practices. Let us not fear the paradigms that shift with changing generations, rather let us engage them. What generation are you? WW
About the Author: Vince Baldasare is sales manager, engineered systems, for Gorman-Rupp Pumps in Mansfield, Ohio. He is a member of the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA) Board of Directors and currently serves as Treasurer for the Association. To learn more about WWEMA, go to www.wwema.org.
