Any company would agree that it’s critical to maintain a harmonious atmosphere in the office for maximum productivity and collaboration between your team members. However, managing and retaining talents of all ages may come off a bit more challenging than you think.
For one, the disparity between age groups of different employees is an interesting subject in today’s diverse workplace. A lot of assumptions and stereotypes have been thrown at either party: Millennials are stubborn and entitled; the older generation is inflexible and old-fashioned. These stereotypes fuel the friction that may sometimes arise in a multigenerational company.
It’s important to understand that each group has unique personalities and work ethics based on the culture and time they grew up in. An effective recruitment agency or HR consultant should look at candidates objectively and evaluate what these prospective hires can bring to the table instead of easily believing pre-conceived notions. It’s refreshing to have different perspectives in the workplace so long as everyone fits in the culture.
While millennials are currently the youngest in the spectrum, they are not new to the working scene. They are not as naughty as others paint them to be, yet they still receive a lot of flak for their ingenious and radical ways in the workplace. The oldest millennials today are aged 37 years old, which may already assume managerial positions in some companies.
This age group is also set to comprise 75% of the workforce by 2025, so learning how to harness their skills is vital to any company. Millennials will indeed continue to revolutionize the workplace in the coming years.
The same courtesy of understanding applies to Gen X and baby boomers as well. They know the industry that should be valued, and younger people should be more open to their traditional yet effective processes. After all, the goal of every company is to make all of their team members feel valued and heard at work, meaning all opinions count and contribute to the betterment of the majority.
Thankfully, there are actionable steps to managing your multigenerational workplace better. Baby Boomers, Gen X, and millennial workers can become each other’s best assets when given a chance. The secret is to unlock their potential and show them that they can teach valuable lessons to each other, both professionally and personally.
Besides that, managers should teach all of their employees to be aware and respectful of each other’s ideas and working styles instead of criticizing or complaining about them. Instill a sense of pride in your team for being part of an age-diverse company, because this will do nothing but bolster their career growth.
It won’t be long until the newly graduated Gen Z-ers joins the workforce. As early as now, your company should be able to smoothen out any tension and successfully promote a safe and fair working environment for everyone involved. If you want to learn more about how millennials and older generations can successfully collaborate in the workplace, continue reading the infographic below: