Gen X, Gen Y & the Older Brokers in the room

Today I attended a panel presentation at Collin County Association of Realtors on Gen X and Gen Y Realtors and what they are looking for in a brokerage.  It's a great topic and the 5 presenters were very honest and upfront. 

You would think this would go over well, but the room quickly turned.  It happened first when one of the panel members said he didn't know how Realtors worked without the internet, that it seemed like "ancient history".  It was an unfortunate thing and I don't think he meant it offensively, but it was too late.  The table of "seasoned" brokers behind me immediately started grumbling loudly.  The panel while trying to be honest sometimes seemed cavalier in their statements about the way they practiced real estate.  But they were being honest and open which is what they were asked to do.  After a few more comments by the panel they opened it up to the floor. 

I tried to make a comment that while the use of the term "ancient history" was probably an affront, the table behind me needed to hear both sides and that the only reason I was even involved was that Jeanette Edwards invited me, an inexperienced agent, to be a part of CCAR and CRS.  But my comments were quickly drowned out by the stream of negative salvos sent to the panel.  The grumbling broker told them that no one on the panel would ever work for her!  The lady beside me at the table said this panel had inspired her to come up with a new definition for E.G.O.  (something like express grace often) but she emphasized the word EGO twice which made it hang in the air.  At the end of the meeting the moderators tried to bring it back on point but it was done.  The panel members were pissed that they were attacked after being honest and several of the audience members were strident in their rightousness. 

What remains is a huge gap between the older agents who have legacy knowledge of the Association of Realtors and other organizations and the younger Realtors who will someday inherit this industry.  The older agents need to be open to the new ideas and practices of the younger generation and understand that the words they say may not be meant disrespectfully.  And the younger generation needs to get involved, make a place for themselves at the committee meetings and organizations, and learn from the best members our industry currently has.  

One note additional, when the time turns and the younger generation is the older generation, don't repeat this mistake.