Today’s workforce is compiled of an employee base that spans four generations. From Baby Boomers to Millenials and Generation Z’ers – offices have become a melting pot of generation gaps.
While these age differences can provide managers a unique opportunity to enhance productivity, having such a wide span of viewpoints can also be a difficult task.
Tensions will inevitably flare up from time to time, causing challenges for leaders. The good news is that these different points of view can be understood and dealt with – using some planning and understanding.
Understanding Generational Tension
Many opportunities will arise for tension at the office when there are a mix of generations. It is not uncommon for a 50-something to have different views and ideas then that of someone in their 20s. It is also hard for older employees to be supervised by someone half their age.
Instead of focusing on the hard part of dealing with such an age span, it is important to focus on how getting different views can benefit the company. If approached the correct way, the workplace can be a positive place, where everyone works together, striving for higher success.
The following are some ideas on how to manage many generations –
1~ Look for Commonplace. Always be encouraging to both leaders and employees. Listen to what everyone shares and not what divides them. This builds a trust and collaboration with everyone – forming a bond.
2~ Never Label People. Never talk about generational differences. Managing should be about working with people and ideas, and not thinking about their ages. Thinking this way will greatly help everyone focus on working as a group, closing the age gap.
3~ Allow Different Opportunities. When planning the next project, let employees mix and match with one another, allowing them to bring unique skills and ideas to the table. This lets people broaden their horizons with new opportunities to work with different colleagues and makes the age gap seem less prevalent.
4~ Allow Them to Help. Every age group should have the ability to help others. While members of the Generation Z era were brought up on technology, they would make great mentors to older employees that might not be as tech savvy. The same expertise or advice could be handed down from the Baby Boomers on career growth, based on their many years of experience.
5~ Manage Differently. Be sure to remember that it’s okay to manage employees differently, as long as it’s based on their abilities, goals and strengths, and not ages. Evaluate everyone on who they are and not what generation they belong to.
With some thinking, it is completely possible to take a workplace full of all ages and use everyone’s special strengths and abilities, to make a striving and success driven company.
