Sally Benson August 18, 2016<\/p>\n

Mentors and Legacies
\nPhotos: iStock<\/p>\n

Times are changing; there\u2019s no doubt about that. And so is the industry. As we transition from one generation in charge to another, how can we help each other to succeed?<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve enjoyed a long, successful, satisfying career in horticulture. You met the challenges, you surmounted the obstacles, and you reaped the many benefits. You\u2019ve given it your all, and your hard work has rewarded you in return. Now you\u2019re ready to give back to ensure the continued growth of a dynamic industry.<\/p>\n

Or \u2026<\/p>\n

You\u2019re five or 10 years into your career in horticulture, and although you\u2019ve enjoyed your work and have progressed in your career, you have a feeling that there\u2019s something more. Time for a change in direction? Need a new perspective?<\/p>\n

Or\u2026<\/p>\n

You\u2019re just entering the field, studying horticulture in school or starting your first job. The prospects for a rewarding future look good, but how do you make sure you\u2019ve made the right decision? What do you need to convince you?<\/p>\n

Although demographers love to name generations and to categorize people into age groups, they\u2019re the first to admit that often the lines are blurred. Age groups have commonalities, it\u2019s true. It\u2019s not just the number of candles on the cake that bind us. It\u2019s attitude, it\u2019s passion, it\u2019s experience. It\u2019s shared culture. But it\u2019s also open-mindedness. And those qualities cross generational lines.<\/p>\n

In the next few months, we\u2019ll begin our journey, exploring the industry through the eyes of the experienced, the eager and those in-between. We\u2019ll take a look at where we are, where we need to be, and how to get there. There\u2019s no end point; there\u2019s no final destination \u2013 that is, other than a greater understanding of each other, and of how we all can count on each other to work toward a stronger, more vibrant industry.<\/p>\n

And we want you to be an active participant. Don\u2019t just come along for the ride; work with us. Have fun with us. Share with us. What can you contribute to someone else\u2019s success? How can someone help you? Put your thinking cap on and join in. I\u2019ll be reaching out, but don\u2019t wait for my call or my e-mail. If you\u2019ve got something to contribute, let me know. Don\u2019t be shy.<\/p>\n

To get you started, I\u2019ve presented a few questions below. They\u2019re assigned, if you will, to somewhat distinct \u201cage\u201d groups, but they can apply to all. Consider these, add your own, and let\u2019s get the ball rolling.<\/p>\n

\nThe experienced<\/h3>\n

You\u2019re poised to impart your wisdom to an enthusiastic group of budding horticulturists, but they may not be eager to be the first to raise their hand. Where you do start? What should be your approach? You might want to look back at your own career and take stock not only of your accomplishments, but the steps you took to get there.<\/p>\n

Ask yourself these questions:<\/p>\n

\n
• What would you tell your 15-year-old self?<\/li>\n
• Who helped you when you were young, and how?<\/li>\n
• If you could choose one piece of unsolicited advice, what would you offer?<\/li>\n
• When you were just starting out, what did you wish for? What did you expect?<\/li>\n
• What surprised you the most as you advanced in your career?<\/li>\n
• How did you choose your particular segment of the greater hort industry? Why?<\/li>\n
• When the going got tough, what kept you motivated?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  The eager<\/h3>\n

  You\u2019re committed to learning about what the future holds, and what you can expect from a career in horticulture. Sometimes, though, it\u2019s hard to zero in on the right question. What are the challenges, and what are the benefits? How do you find out?<\/p>\n

  And, let\u2019s be honest. When we say you\u2019re committed, are you really? Everyone second guesses their choices; it\u2019s only human. So what do you need from those who\u2019ve blazed the trail? How can they help you embrace your commitment, and move forward?<\/p>\n

  Ask yourself these questions:<\/p>\n

  \n
  • What are the requirements to enter? What are the barriers?<\/li>\n
  • Will I truly be contributing to a better environment?<\/li>\n
  • What kind of opportunities exist now\/in 5 years\/in 10 years?<\/li>\n
  • How is the industry utilizing technology with which I\u2019m comfortable?<\/li>\n
  • How diverse is the horticulture field?<\/li>\n
  • Can I earn a decent living?<\/li>\n
  • What\u2019s the biggest challenge to advancement?<\/li>\n
  • How can I make a difference?<\/li>\n
  • Will the industry be thriving in 10 years? In 20 years?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The in-between<\/h3>\n

    You\u2019re part of the industry, and you\u2019re convinced this is the place to be. Sometimes, though, you wonder if you\u2019re headed in the right direction. Maybe you could benefit from the sage advice of someone older, more experienced \u2013 but if you\u2019ve grown up in the business, your parents may not be the best source. It can be difficult to approach them, if for no other reason than the fact that they\u2019re family. It\u2019s common, really.<\/p>\n

    So who can you turn to? And what should you ask?<\/p>\n

    Ask yourself these questions:<\/p>\n

    \n
    • Am I progressing the way I should? The way I want to?<\/li>\n
    • Am I making decisions that benefit the company as well as my career?<\/li>\n
    • Do I need to delegate more of my management responsibilities? How do I do that?<\/li>\n
    • What\u2019s the best way to blend all this \u201cnew\u201d technology with tried-and-true business procedures?<\/li>\n
    • How do I best work with the generations before and after mine?<\/li>\n
    • Is the work environment I\u2019ve developed enriching the work experience, or hindering it?<\/li>\n
    • Have I reached a plateau in my career? What do I do about it?<\/li>\n
    • How can I give back to the industry?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Where do you fit in?<\/h3>\n

      Let\u2019s define the generations \u2014 how old are \u201cBaby Boomers\u201d and \u201cMillennials\u201d? \u2014 and see where each of us fits in. There\u2019s a significant span in ages, but it\u2019s a good bet that each of these generational groups boasts members active in the workforce. The information below comes from Pew Research, but many other reputable demographics experts view the specific years to be a bit more fluid. For example, demographers Neil Howe and William Strauss, co-founders of Life Course Associates, a \u201cpublishing, speaking and consulting company\u201d built on the generational discoveries of its founders, have defined the Millennial group as those born between 1982 and approximately 20 years thereafter. But in 2012 they placed the end point at 2004. So, it\u2019s safe to assume we\u2019ve got a bit of wiggle room here.<\/p>\n

      Are we missing someone? Where\u2019s the so-called \u201cGeneration Y\u201d? Many demographers have ceased referring to Gen Y, considering it an artificial construct that merely helped, for a while, to fill in the gaps between Gen X and the Millennials. Whatever.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Sally Benson August 18, 2016 Mentors and Legacies Photos: iStock Times are changing; there\u2019s no doubt about that. And so is the industry. As we transition from one generation in charge to another, how can we help each other to succeed? You\u2019ve enjoyed a long, successful, satisfying career in horticulture. You met the challenges, you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nursery"],"yoast_head":"\n