Addressing The Generation Gap At A Workplace

Nowadays, the workplace has different generations working together. Every age group is working together and in some cases, young are heading the elders. The generation gap is the difference between the older generation and the younger generation such as beliefs, outlooks, clothes, and whatnot.

In short, the age gap among each generation. A generation gap has always been common, but it has grown in recent years because superiors are working ahead of the customary age of retirement.

One of the biggest challenges of an organization is to bridge the generation gap. With so many mixed ages working together, it is necessary to create a collaborative environment.

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Here are specific tips to overcome the age differences among people at the workplace:

1. People have the habit of stereotyping different generations. For instance, baby boomers are believed to be a little behind on technology. There is nothing which cannot be learned with a bit of training but pulling down a whole generation based on their age can be annoying. Proper management knows the importance of providing opportunities for growth through teaching skills. There are individual differences among generations, but they should not blatantly be stereotyped by assessing their capabilities based on their birthdate.
2. It is essential for the management to openly communicate and maintain transparency with their employees about their expectations and goals. It is vital to create a trusting environment so that the employees feel that they are working towards the betterment of the organization. Their viewpoints, thoughts, and complaints should be heard and acknowledged.
3. Differences of generation could be used for the benefit of both the company as well as the employees. All generations need to respect each other and work together. The older generation could learn a lot from the younger generation about work-life balance, whereas the more youthful generation could follow the work ethics of their seniors. This would improve the employees as individuals and also, create a more respecting and comfortable environment at work.
4. It is imperative for the management to understand the preferred method of communication of their employees. Baby boomers prefer 40% in-person meetings which make them feel valued and appreciated. Generation X millennials prefer 34% emails, whereas generation Z is a little different with 34% chat. Getting everybody on the same page is difficult. Therefore, opposing views of the employees should be understood, and communication should be according to their preferences to increase effectiveness and productivity.
5. Respect is an essential element in the workplace. Contrasting views of multiple generations do not need to result in conflict and disagreements. Instead of arguing and downplaying each other at every step, create a work environment that respects the differences and work together. The older generation wants to be recognized for their experience and expertise and the younger generation might not be as experienced but they wish to be respected and appreciated for whatever they have to offer, honor their contributions. It is very important to create a culture of mutual respect among employees.
6. Partnering younger employees with seniors could prove as a decisive tactic. Both the generations can learn from each other’s skillset resulting in faster completion of tasks. For instance, Baby boomers could learn about technology and its benefits in the new age, whereas millennials could learn about the essence and importance of in-person communication. Different outlooks and views can bring out great ideas and approach among employees.
7. Every generation has a different motivation. The older generation seemed to be motivated by health benefits and insurance whereas the younger people seemed to be driven by a good salary and ability to follow their passion, it is important for them to love what they do. Management should understand their mindset and motivate them accordingly.
8. With multi-generations working together under the same roof, conflicts are bound to happen. Proper management should know how to tackle such situations effectively. Voices and concerns should be heard. Everybody should get a chance to raise their issues and perspectives. The conflicts should be resolved in a productive manner and help them work out their differences. Acknowledging the problem and dealing with it on time could benefit in the long run.

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