Today there are the “Baby Boomers”, “Gen X”, “Gen Y” (also known as the “Millennials”) and now “Gen Z” in the workplace. Each generation has different core values, communication styles, work ethics and different ways of processing and/or accepting feedback.
This can be difficult for leaders and the other generations to understand, but a successful multi-generational workforce relies on mutual respect and acceptance of differences. These differences can also lead to opportunities for the sharing of information and experiences which can improve the workplace.
*NOTE: any trait particular to a specific group should be considered to have exceptions.
Creating a collaborative place to work involves inclusiveness and a culture which promotes acceptance of differences. Companies can help a multi-generational workforce thrive by:
Read more about managing a multi-generational workforce.
The goal of any company is to maximize the benefits of a multi-generational workforce to boost the bottom line by taking advantage of this diversity. Diverse generations drive innovation and produce a more collaborative place to work. Their different perspectives come with an abundance of different strengths and ideas. The end result – multi-generational workforces will help harness new creativity and old wisdom to boost the bottom line, revitalize old processes, benefit customers and strengthen company cultures.
Did you know VITAL WorkLife offers custom trainings and education as well as executive coaching and support for leadership teams and employees? We will create a custom training for you based on your organization’s needs, including the topics of helping a multi-generational or multi-cultural workforce thrive or mental health concerns in the workplace. We also have robust online resources such as articles and e-learning courses to help you support your multi-generational workforce. Contact us through your VITAL WorkLife App or by calling 800.383.1908.
Sources:
www.mindtools.com/multigenerational-workplace.htm How to Thrive in a Multi-Generational Workplace.
https://Service Fitures.com/workplace-management The Barriers of Managing a Multigenerational Workforce and How to Break Them.
www.trinet.com/hr-insights/leadership Leadership Tips for Attracting, Engaging and Retaining a Multigenerational Workforce.
Schultz, Rob. The Benefits of Hiring a Multigenerational Workforce. November 2015
Gausepohl, Shannon. Tackling 4 Key Challenges of the Multigenerational Workforce – Business News Daily 12/05/2016.
McQuerrey, Lisa. The Advantages of Diverse Ages in the Workplace. September 2017.
Gandhi, Sandeep. A Multigenerational Workforce is a Strategic Advantage. July 2016.
Miller, Mark. Use Cognitive Diversity to Get the Most Out of the Workplace. Emergenetics International.
Canaday, Sara. Cognitive Diversity. Psychology Today. June 2017.