Leading the Multigenerational Workforce

Regardless of where you live and what industry to work in, we are all experiencing a dramatic generational shift in today’s workplace, which is growing older and younger at the same time.

Each generation is entering a transformational moment in its career. Today, Baby Boomers, born between 1945 and 1964, are moving into retirement. Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, are taking over leadership roles. Millennials, born between 1981 and 1995, have become the largest workforce demographic, and Generation Z, born 1996-2012, is beginning its professional journey.

Significant benefits for employers of a multigenerational workforce include the following:
• Multiple perspectives – Different generations can have distinctive ways of viewing job responsibilities and completing job duties.
• Learning/mentoring opportunities – The more diverse a team is, the more ways people have to interact and learn from each other’s insights. Those with more experience can advise younger employees and those more junior employees can educate mature workers on current trends and technology.
• Knowledge transfer and retention – The awareness and strengths that each generation offers better prepare the business to meet its future leadership needs.

multigenerational workforce comes workforce challenges including:
• Communication issues – There are differences in preferred communication styles and interpretation of tone between generations. Boomers prefer in person where Gen Z’ers prefer electronic.
• Negative stereotypes – As with any type of diversity, people have preconceived notions about those in a different age group.

How do employers bridge the gap between generations in the workforce? Here are some important practices for leading a multigenerational workforce:
✔ Audit your inclusive hiring practices – strive to eliminate age bias when recruiting.
✔ Cater to different communication styles – ensure the same information is accessible to everyone.
✔ Clarify and reiterate expectations – a common purpose unites people and minimizes differences.
✔ Accommodate diverse working styles and needs.
✔ Nurture an inclusive environment at work.

Leveraging the age-related differences among your workforce provides a sound talent pipeline to support the sustainability of your business.