As a baby boomer, did you ever wonder why you need practice to complete new learning around the tasks of your computer? I once worked as a personal trainer to help new members set up their exercise program in a hospital sponsored fitness facility. These new clients were started on the computerized exercise machines. It was not something I caught on to with just a fast explanation by my boss. I am a take action learner more so than an auditory learner.

Or so I thought that was the problem.

Working with a new member, I couldn’t work the set up of the computerized leg press. I had to ask for help. It never even occurred to me that I would be chastised for asking. Instead of demonstrating the use of the machine to me, my boss went through and did the set up of all the machines without giving any explanation or teaching to me; I wasn’t learning anything.

This interaction was in front of the new member! He took the work out of my hands, set up the machines for me, and it left me frustrated!

I knew how to use a computer at home, I could use and set up non-computerized resistance machines and weights, but I could not set up the computerized resistance machines.

Later when I was at home and, of course, on my computer, quite by chance I came across an article that explained the differences in the generations and their ability to grasp computers at different levels. I learned that baby boomers did not use computers intuitively as did the members of Generation X and Generation Y.

I felt furious that I allowed myself to be treated in a condescending manner by my boss.

The next time I went in to work I gave him the article and explained that people of different ages had different learning styles with the new technology, and that I would certainly appreciate more patience with my learning of the machines.

I was glad that I followed through with this discussion because he actually seemed genuinely interested in this news and was much gentler with the new responsibilities he sent my way!

Have you ever been misunderstood in some way and felt helpless to express your feelings?

To your learning,

Lorraine

This entry was posted by Lorraine Calhoun on May 14th, 2007 under Mid-Life with keywords .

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