 Gamers bring a new perspective to the workplace
by Caroline Nevin
Do you have a Facebook page, a Flickr account, a constantly chirping Blackberry receiving Twitter messages, IM on your screen all day, and a hugely important social life (and multiple personas) online? Do you have trouble concentrating on the droning person in front of you or on the phone? Incapable of functioning on one channel of input at a time? No? Well, chances are you employ, parent or work with people who fit this profile – those who grew up in the Gaming Era – and you’re perplexed by the challenge of dealing with them.
There is an upside to this, though. Gamers:
- Are better at handling risk and uncertainty
- Are more creative and have better problem solving skills
- Are more sociable and have a greater need for human relationships
- Think of themselves as experts and want to tackle problems head-on
- Aren’t discouraged by failure and believe each setback is just a chance to try again
- Are more flexible about change
- Are better at seeing problems in a deeper perspective
- Are great at learning in informal ways
- Are more globally oriented and outward-looking
- Are more confident and have a more positive outlook on life.
Source: Beck, J. & Wade, M. “The Kids are Alright” www.nslg.net/gotgamebook
Every generation brings something new to the workplace, and potentially vital to the future success of organizations (see page 19). It’s worth approaching the Gamer perspective with respect and curiosity, asking the most important question of all: How can we combine our differences and strengths to create something truly exceptional? Create a meaningful Quest and you’ll be amazed at what happens! Want to know more about topics like this? The CBA makes a specialty of targeting key business practice issues and delivering speakers (and Law Society credits) that give you in-depth knowledge in bite-size portions.
We take up-to-date info and mix it with great networking over 60, 90 or 120 minutes. We make it available all across the province through technology or direct delivery – just ask the Kamloops Bar, where we sponsored a fast and informative “Accounting for Lawyers” session with KPMG in May.
There’s great CBA Professional Development (PD) at the Canadian Legal Conference (CLC) in Quebec City in August, and at our renowned CBABC Conference in San Diego in November. There’s a huge opportunity for mixing pleasure and PD at the August 2009 CLC in Dublin, Ireland. And let’s not forget the upcoming Work Life Balance Retreat in Penticton during the Okanagan Wine Festival in October – given the stresses and generational conflicts in today’s law firms, isn’t it time you learned what it takes to become a sustainable firm of engaged and productive lawyers?
At $53 a month (less if you’re a young lawyer), CBA membership gives you a great deal on PD as the Law Society gets ready to make 12 hours mandatory on January 1. Things are changing fast – let us help you make life easier! |
This article was published in the June 2008 issue of BarTalk. © 2008 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved. |
