If you want to effectively lead your staff despite generational differences and encourage others to learn from the diversity of the group, then consider the following guidelines.
1. Identify whom each of the four generations encompasses.
The first step to reducing conflict caused by generational differences is knowing which generation each of your employees falls into. The four generations are:
- The Veterans (also called the Traditionals), born between 1922 and 1946
- The Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964
- Generation X, born between 1964 and 1980
- The Millennials (also called Generation Y or the Nexters), born between 1980 and 2000
2. Draw on the strengths of each generation.
Once you know which of your employees fall into the various generation groups, you can help them understand each other so they can focus on each other's strengths. Current research indicates that the majority of conflicts arise from the value differences of the age groups rather than the actual age differences themselves. So it's more about "my values are the right ones, and yours are not." For example, Veterans may think the "young kids" in the workplace are lazy, while the Millennials or Generation Xers may think the Veterans and even Baby Boomers are too rigid. However, if all the generations are open-minded, they can learn much from each other.
Realize that each generation brings wonderful strengths to the workplace. And while focusing on our own individual strengths is certainly important, imagine how much more effective everyone on your team could be if you each learned from the strengths of others as well. Publicly acknowledge what each generation's strengths are, and encourage everyone to share his or her viewpoints and values with the group. Once you get the dialogue started, the learning naturally follows.
3. Adapt your management style for each generation.
Leading four different generations often requires you to have four different management styles. For example, a Baby Boomer manager was managing a Millennial employee. Every day at 5:00 p.m., the employee finished his work for the day, shut down his computer, and headed home. Even though the employee was scheduled to leave work at 5:00 p.m. and there were no major projects or deadlines looming, the manager wanted to write up the employee for not staying later. The real problem was that the Baby Boomer manager valued long hours on the job, while the Millennial employee valued life balance. The point is that you can't manage according to your value system. Rather, you need to manage according to the employee's value system.
Likewise, when conflict does arise, you need to put your biases aside. If a Veteran and a Gen Xer are having challenges with each other, and you're a Gen X manager, you can't naturally side with your fellow Gen Xer just because you share the same values. Rather, you need to be objective, understand the communication style of each person involved, and manage according to the situation and the people involved.
4. Accept what you cannot change.
No matter how hard you try, you cannot change the generations. Instead, acknowledge the validity of each generation's values, and change how you motivate the different generations. That is, incorporate different motivational techniques into your management style. Find out what each person wants as a motivational incentive. For example, a Gen Xer may want time off for a good job, while a Veteran may want a monetary bonus. Ask your employees what they find motivating, and then offer that incentive. Give people choices. After all, if someone really values family and wants time off to spend with his or her loved ones, all the money in the world won't make that person happy. Rather, he or she will seek out a company that offers ample time off, even if it means accepting a lower salary.
A Successful Company…for Generations to Come
Business is challenging enough. Don't let generational differences complicate your company. By following these guidelines for managing a generationally diverse workplace, you can more effectively draw on all the strengths of your team, which in turn makes you a stronger company. And in a marketplace where only the strong survive, you need all your team members—young and old—focused on the same objectives and working together effectively.
About the Author:
Anne Houlihan is President of Satori Seal, where she tripled revenues in one year and increased profits 140% with her innovative budgeting and leadership techniques. Despite her husband's death, Anne managed to grow their business, Satori Seal, into the international company it is today. As founder of Golden Key Leadership, Anne combines more than 25 years of hands-on corporate experience and coaching to help companies of all sizes. With her speaking and consulting, she helps improve management techniques, empower employees to be decision makers, bridge the generational gap, and overcome adversity. For more information on her speaking and consulting, go to www.goldenkeyleadership.com or call 951-235-5405.
