Individual competencies that older workers ...

in successfully adapting during their careers

an article by J Barton Cunningham and Bryan Sweet in International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management Volume 9 Number 2/3 (2009)

Abstract

Some older workers are more successful than others in maintaining a high level of functioning despite losses in psychological and biological capacities. In this grounded theory study of the careers of eight older workers, we identified ten Protean-like competencies relating to:

• replacing beliefs about chronological age with beliefs of psychological age;
• taking steps to improve health;
• adjusting preferences to fit life's circumstances;
• cultivating relationships to improve work and career;
• developing relationships which recognise a diversity of interests;
• developing relationships for mentoring others;
• developing a sense of self in relationships;
• redefining the contract with the organisation;
• finding aspects of work which are meaningful and fulfilling; and
• replacing job-worth with self-worth.

One of the most frequent observations underlying these findings was the variation among the respondents in their beliefs about the ability to control the events they encountered in their lives.

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