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Engaging Generation Y in Law Firms

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A great deal has been written about the Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. 

The FT entered the fray on Thursday with a well-crafted piece looking at ways some companies are linking the retiring generation (Boomers) with Generation Y to give the feedback and meaning that characterises the Generation Y.

I don't know of any law firm that is this pro-active.  Advantages could include:

• Linking the "grey hairs" heading for retirement with NQ's might well bridge the feedback gap that hard-worked partners are often accused of neglecting.
  
• Linking could also give those retiring a sense of legacy, and a chance to share the accumulated wisdom which is rarely captured on a formalised basis.
  
• Linking could be a natural part of the wind-down process, formalising the latter stages of a highly successful career.  Note the Cisco example given by the FT.

In my experience mentoring programmes usually stumble because of the mentors preoccupation with his/her career&clients, or the unwillingness to give frank feedback. 

Perhaps Boomers heading for retirement would be the answer.