(This is the final article in our five-part series (Five Generations, One Team) about what it’s really like to work across five generations—and how we can make that experience a whole lot smoother together.)
The concept of “professionalism” is evolving. What once looked like arriving early, staying late, and prioritizing company loyalty above all else has shifted toward a focus on sustainable boundaries, mental fitness, and physical well-being. Understanding that these shifts are driven by broad economic and cultural trends—rather than individual work ethic—helps teams build healthier, more sustainable working relationships.
Tips for Managers
- Focus on output, not “face time”: Measure success by the quality and timeliness of deliverables, not by who is most visible in the office or online at odd hours.
- Model sustainable boundaries: If you work late, use the schedule-send feature so your team doesn’t receive emails at midnight. This signals that you respect their off-hours.
Tips for Colleagues
- Respect off-hours boundaries: Avoid expecting immediate responses to non-urgent messages sent after standard working hours.
- Communicate your availability clearly: Use calendar blocks or status indicators to show when you are focused on deep work, in meetings, or offline.
You can find the articles in this series in HUBI’s User Corner as they are published. If you have topics to suggest for additional series, send to Susanne.dupes@orcc.doe.gov.
