In this episode of the TeamBonding Saves the World podcast, Mary Erlain, Author, International Speaker, and Founder of Peak Systems Strategies joins our host Rich Rinnisland to discuss the dynamics of having five generations in the workplace and how to navigate and embrace their differences and successes. To listen to this exciting conversation in full, click here.

What Is A Multi-Generational Workplace?

A multi-generational workplace can be described as a workforce that has personnel from multiple generations. These days, multi-generational workplaces are very common and oftentimes employees from several different generations work together on a daily basis.

The five generations that may make up a workforce are:

  •       Traditionalists (born 1928-1945): These are older individuals (aged 70 or more) who are either working because they want to or must. They are influenced directly by their environment and thus were most vulnerable to being affected by Covid, physically and mentally.
  •       Baby boomers (born 1946-1964): Half of this generation was raised in the sixties amidst the Vietnam war while the other half during the political segregation of the seventies. Unsurprisingly, this group tends to distrust the government.
  •       Gen Xers (born 1965-1980): A much more progressive and educated generation than those before them. GenXers are very independent individuals and were the first to truly embrace technology, both for education and entertainment.
  •       Millennials/Gen Y’s (born 1981-1996): The often-misunderstood generation is described as ingrained in technology, very team-driven and multi-taskers. 
  •       Gen Z’s (born 1997-2012): The younger generation who often can’t go a day without their screens. Gen Z’s are the most interconnected, with their social circles encircling the globe.

Understandably, generational differences in the workplace can pose a significant challenge. For instance, as Mary identifies, “there is a tendency for baby boomers or traditionalists to see a younger employee and act in a parenting manner instead of as a manager with accountability, metrics, and KPIs.” On the other end, when younger people step into management roles and have to manage workers who are older than them, they may feel as though they are managing their mom and dad. It takes a great deal of emotional intelligence and communication, amongst other attributes to navigate these types of multigenerational challenges.

It is important that managers and HR personnel understand that there are nuances and differences amongst generations. By identifying and addressing these differences, and also the subtle similarities across the generational lines, companies can reap the benefits that multi-generational workforces have to offer.

How to Navigate and Embrace the 5 Generations in the Workplace

Now more than ever, corporations must embrace the five different generations if they are to exist and thrive. Companies will foster better communication amongst team members, benefit from unique perspectives working together to problem solve and create new opportunities for mentorships and knowledge sharing. Leading a multi-generational workforce isn’t easy, but fortunately, it is simpler than you think and begins by focusing on a few fundamental principles.

1. Understand What Your Team Needs

Providing and fulfilling your team’s needs can help make people feel satisfied and fulfilled in their job and feel connected to each other. Leaders need to put the needs of their team above their own and have to start to understand what these needs are. This ties in very closely with the need to communicate. After all, without open lines of communication, how can you identify what your team needs?

The value of this understanding is immeasurable. Oftentimes, the needs and motivators of different departments and individuals vary greatly and need to be catered to. One employee may be motivated by learning, while another may be motivated by verbal recognition. Tailoring management styles to fit these individual needs will help to avoid employees feeling unmotivated, not appreciated, or burnt out.

2. Make an Effort to Learn from Each Other

“Have a culture of being inquisitive,” says Mary. While managing a multi-generational workforce is not without its challenges, it can help you grow as an individual and leader. But only if you make an effort. This can be utilized by encouraging older employees to take younger employees to a company lunch, setting up mentorship programs, or implementing one-on-one meetings between multi-generational workers.

Older generations can also learn from younger generations. From their path to success to what apps they use, the opportunities to learn and grow are endless. All you have to do is ask the right questions. 

Learning from each other’s differences and experiences can be very illuminating and helpful not just for you as an individual or leader, but also for the organization’s culture.

3. Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

Emotions drive people. Simply put, emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize the emotional footprint of an interaction and respond accordingly. Unsurprisingly, high levels of emotional intelligence put any team in an excellent position to succeed, particularly as they come back together after the pandemic.

Developing emotional intelligence begins with self-reflection and a willingness to understand who is part of a problem and how you are involved. Team members, in particular leaders, must recognize when they are part of the problem. This requires them to focus inwards. To do this, Mary Erlain recommends asking reflective questions such as, “What subtleties or maybe not so subtle things are employees bringing to us?” Team members can also ask themselves “How is this person motivated and what could I have done better to cater to that?” It is also important to consider the employee’s communication style. When a person is not communicated to in a way that they are comfortable with, it can lead to a communication breakdown.

Additionally, team leaders must understand that even though a problem may be the same in two different situations, the solution doesn’t have to be. As Mary eloquently states, “You’re bringing a group of people, different names, faces, and social security numbers together. There’s no way you can have some blanket, off-the-shelf kind of solution.” Each situation requires specific thought and consideration to fit the needs of the person raising this problem.

4. Communication

Clear and open communication can help bring a workplace together. Instead of shying away when issues arise, it’s important to begin conversations about them. Create an environment of open communication and problem-solving to prevent a disjointed or inefficient workforce. “You have people perhaps as islands. And they’re each doing their own thing, their own way. They may be getting the result, but you haven’t created a culture. You’ve created a bunch of islands,” Mary points out.

Adopting a bottom-up approach and communicating to understand where people are coming from is essential to create bridges between people. This can be achieved by having in-depth conversations with each member of the workforce to get a better understanding of who they are, how they function, and how they fit into the workforce. By asking cultural and behavioral questions, the underlying motivations, needs, and drivers of each employee will come to light. 

Once you have established a baseline level of understanding, you can leverage this information to bring people and groups together in unique and innovative ways. The key is not to lead by assumptions but rather to play to the strengths of each individual.

Looking to Build Team Culture at Your Workplace?

Learn more about embracing the different generations in the workplace to help your company culture thrive by listening to the Generations episode of the TeamBonding Saves the World podcast. Using the different generations’ unique insights highlighted in the podcast will not only strengthen your team but teach them valuable skills no matter their age.

Anna Webber

Team Contributor

Subscribe

Sign up for tips on crafting the perfect team.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Podcast

around the world podcast logo

Get ideas, inspiration and best practices from across the globe.

apple podcast logo spotify podcast logo

Be a Guest Blogger

Do you have any useful tips, tricks, guides, or valuable insights about company culture?

Learn more  

Sign up for tips on crafting the perfect team.

Less drama? Greater productivity and job satisfaction? Yes, you really can make an impact, and TeamBonding is here to help. Subscribe to our blog for useful tips, tricks and insights.

More great content based on your likes.

TeamBonding’s Guide to the Five Stages of Team Development

Developing strong and cohesive teams is essential for every business or organization, but team development doesn’t happen overnight. There are numerous stages of team development that can ultimately lead to a synergistic team, which carries with it many benefits. 

Read More  

Why Team Building Doesn’t Work

As a leader in your organization, you’re likely always looking for innovative ways to strengthen employee relationships. Creating a strong workplace culture that encourages teamwork is essential for increasing productivity and improving employee engagement. However, your workforce might not always see eye to eye with leadership when it comes to team building. Some employees may feel it’s nothing more than a chore while others might think that team building will not solve the underlying issues that are affecting workplace relationships. It may lead them to really question “does team building work”?

Read More  

6 DIY Team Building Activities That Work

It’s easy… right? You just need to find the right people with the right skills, put them in a room together, and you have a well-oiled team. They’re smart, and they know their stuff: they’ll figure out how to get the work done…except it doesn’t always work out that way. We provide a foundation for team building that lasts beyond your TeamBonding event; however, you’ll have the most success after your event by incorporating team bonding activities into your company culture throughout the year. And if the budget is tight, that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything at all. Here are 6 DIY team building activities guaranteed to help your team build those lasting connections!

Read More  

5 Ideas for Motivational Team Building Activities for Employees in 2024

For decades now, there has been an acute issue plaguing HR workers and managers around motivational team building activities for employees. An unmotivated employee or team can lead to decreased productivity and morale, higher turnover, and a lack of cohesion throughout the organization. There are many theories on how to best motivate employees. Some think that monetary incentives are the only way to truly motivate employees, while others believe motivation can be found through a better work culture or by cultivating motivational activities for employees. Before we can truly understand how to motivate work teams and employees and our favorite motivational activities for employees, we must first understand the different types of workplace motivators.

Read More  

Questions? Need a quote?

Complete this form to get started or call 877-472-2725.

Loading Icon

Create Your Free Account

Get exclusive access to new programs from the TeamBonding Lab, save your favorite ideas, and track your upcoming events.
Already have an account? Login

Please wait...

Sign-in

Don't yet have an account?
Create a Free Account

Forgot Your Password? Password Reset