The Inclusion of Jéniors in the Workplace – Daniel Eppling

The Jéniors: A Generation Between Junior and Senior

Daniel began by explaining the origin of the term “Jéniors,” a word he coined by blending “junior” and “senior,” which perfectly captures the mindset of this age group. The period between 48 and 63 marks a crucial phase when one’s relationship with time shifts, and a sense of emotional finiteness becomes tangible—sparking a desire to live more intensely.

This phase represents the 33rd kilometer of the professional marathon over the 43 years of his official career. It’s the moment when, as Confucius likes to quote: “you have two lives: the second begins when you realize you have only one.” This realization often generates a quest for authenticity and alignment between personal aspirations and professional reality.

The marathon analogy speaks to many: “That’s when it gets tough, but it’s also when you can tap into your true resources,” explains Daniel, with the experience of someone who has lived through this transition.

Let Alignment Be Your Compass: “Dead or Aligned”

Daniel has developed the concept of “Dead or Aligned”, a pun on “Dead or Alive” which he uses in his conferences and which always hits the nail on the head. This concept underlines the imperative of being fully alive professionally. Alignment brings confidence and well-being, enabling you to make the right choices and stick with them over time.

It’s a time to rediscover your authenticity: with age and experience, you can finally be judged for who you really are, without worrying about the opinions of others. It’s the return to authentic choices, and sometimes to childhood dreams you never dared pursue.

Alignment also means fully assuming one’s personality without dissolving it into otherness. “At 50, you finally stop playing a role,” confides Daniel with a knowing smile.

The Dilts Pyramid: From Meaning to Behaviors

Daniel introduced us to Robert Dilts’ pyramid adapted for jeniors, a tool he systematically uses in his coaching work to help build a balanced relationship with professional life. This pyramid descends from meaning (for whom and why) to identity (who I am), then beliefs and values (why it’s important), capabilities (how to do it), behaviors (what) and finally the environment (where, when, with whom).

Starting with meaning helps to give overall coherence to a second career. This approach helps Geniors redefine their professional raison d’être and identify the world to which they wish to belong. The gradual descent into more concrete aspects (behaviors, environment) ensures coherence between deep-seated aspirations and day-to-day actions.

“Too many people start with the environment – where I’m going to work – instead of asking themselves why they want to work,” observes Daniel. A mistake he himself made before developing his method.

In a nutshell…

Here are the three major lessons to take away from this Masterclass with Daniel Eppling:

• Recognizing the specificity of Jeniors: The 48-63 age group requires a special approach, combining accumulated experience and the need for renewal, far from the traditional senior/junior approach.
• Cultivate personal alignment: Rediscovering your authenticity and aligning your professional choices with your core values is crucial to a fulfilling second career.
• Starting from meaning to build action: The Dilts pyramid offers a structured method for redefining one’s professional trajectory based on deep motivations.

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