The dynamics at play in today’s global workforce are complex and fascinating – not least because there are now four generations working together, and sometimes five.
Each generation has its own idiosyncrasies, preferences, management styles and personal goals, which can lead to misunderstandings and even conflict at work.
It’s important to understand the motivations and reasoning behind each generation’s characteristics. For example, people in Generation Z, born since 1996, have grown up with technology all around them, gaining their first mobile phone as a child and never knowing the pre-Internet world.
Meanwhile the Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964) and Generation X (1965 to 1976) remember the workplace before PCs and email. They often prefer to speak face to face than operate in a virtual world.
Generation Y, or the Millennials, make up much of today’s workforce and are now aged between 25 and 43. Sometimes referred to as the Snowflake generation, there has been extensive commentary on this generation’s sense of entitlement – although in reality this is difficult to evidence.
The reason that we divide humanity into these various generations is to drive understanding and insight, yet it often takes a negative turn that end up with sweeping generalisations and division.
As leaders, our role is to find ways to unite the very diverse people that make up today’s international workforce. There are many ways to do this, but the methods that have proven successful in our own projects and placements include the following:
- Encouraging multi-generational team working. The best way to get people to accept each other’s differences is to get them to work together. This might be through coaching and mentoring or by ensuring diversity across project teams and committees. People naturally seek out the things they have in common, so this can be a very effective approach.
- Establishing clear cultural values. As leaders, it’s important to be clear about how our people are expected to behave. There can be fundamental differences in how different generations like to work – a perfect example being the older generations’ preference for fixed, office-base hours versus Gen Y and Z’s desire to work remotely, to their own timetable. The conflict is easily resolved by setting the right context – in this case that it’s the output and the goal that matter, not the timing or location of work.
- Embedding technology that drives collaboration. All generations want to feel accepted and valued at work as part of a cohesive team. Collaboration is at the root of this – yet this can be challenging in today’s workplace, where teams can be spread across different locations and even time zones. Make sure your organisation adopts the right technology to bring people together, to work concurrently on a shared platform, and to interact regularly.
- Communicating at all levels. Anothercommonality across all ages of employee is that they each need and value of communication. Particularly in the digital age, where new technology and transformation are the norm, it is essential to ensure that everyone in your organisation understands the direction of travel and the reasoning behind it.
As a global provider of outcome-focused interim leaders we have extensive insights into what works in diverse organisations, and the circ*mstances that lead to the need for change.
Without exception, employee engagement is fundamental, and cohesion between generations is both fully achievable and a major contributor to future success.
FAQs
Overcoming the generation gap
- Encouraging multi-generational team working. The best way to get people to accept each other's differences is to get them to work together. ...
- Establishing clear cultural values. ...
- Embedding technology that drives collaboration. ...
- Communicating at all levels.
To reduce the friction between the two generations, both parents and children have to give space to each other and define certain boundaries that the latter should respect. The generation gap occurs because society is constantly changing.
How do you balance the generation gap? ›
Here are some strategies to help you navigate and bridge the generation gap: Foster a culture of respect: Encourage mutual respect among employees of different generations. Emphasize the value each generation brings to the workplace and promote an inclusive work environment where everyone's perspectives are valued.
What is the main problem of generation gap? ›
The generation gap refers to the differences in attitudes, values, and behaviors between individuals of different generations. This gap can cause misunderstandings, disagreements, and tension in many relationships.
What is the root cause of the generation gap? ›
Generational gaps are simply caused by age and the situation of the world at the time one generation has grown up. For example, the beliefs and perceptions of those who grew up during World War II may be different from those who grew up in the 1960s—though to be sure, similarities will remain.
How can we overcome generation gap in the workplace? ›
Provide Training: Offer training sessions that can help different generations understand each other's perspectives. This could include seminars, workshops, or even informal lunch-and-learn sessions. These could serve as mentoring programs, facilitating understanding and respect among the generations.
What parents can do to reduce generation gap? ›
Dealing with the generation gap: Communication: Open and respectful communication is key. Both parents and children should actively listen to each other's perspectives and opinions. Empathy: It's important to understand that each generation grew up in different social, cultural, and technological contexts.
What would you do to reconcile the gap between your generation and older generation? ›
We have to listen and communicate rather than shut each other off. We have to do our best to try to understand how someone from another generation thinks. Reach out to someone who's part of another generation and try to see life from his or her perspective.
What does bridge the generation gap mean? ›
a situation in which older and younger people do not understand each other because of their different experiences, opinions, habits, and behaviour: bridge/cross the generation gap She's a young politician who manages to bridge/cross (= understand both groups in) the generation gap.
What is an issue that divides generations? ›
These differences may relate to beliefs, politics, language, work, demographics and values. The differences between generations can cause misunderstandings, but it is possible for generations to overcome their differences and maintain functional relationships.
Encourage Healthy Communication
Open dialogue is vital for any relationship. Establish a bond of affection, respect, and trust from an early age. Feeling valued will encourage fluid and healthy family communication, bridging the generational gap effectively.
What are the positive effects of generation gap? ›
A positive generation gap occurs when older and younger generations learn from each other and respect each other's differences. For example, younger generations can learn from the experiences and wisdom of older generations, while older generations can learn from the creativity and innovation of younger generations.
Is generation gap a social problem? ›
The generation gap is a problem in society, causing disagreements, conflicts, and differences between parents or elders and the younger generation.
What is the generation gap and how can it be tackled? ›
According to sociological theory, each generation faces different historical events, culture, economic challenges and exposure, which shape their perception and mind set. Therefore when two different generations interact there is bound to be arguments and difference of opinion termed as generation gap [2].
How to overcome generation gap between parents and children? ›
Both parents and children should actively listen to each other's perspectives and opinions. Empathy: It's important to understand that each generation grew up in different social, cultural, and technological contexts. Empathizing with each other's experiences can foster understanding and bridge the gap.
