Navigating the generation gap at work can be tricky. It’s not just about age; it’s about different values, perspectives, and work styles. If you’re leading a team and finding it hard to connect across generations, here are three effective and practical strategies to make it easier.
Imagine this: Mark, a seasoned manager, is about to go nuts. He’s frustrated because Felix, his young new hire, can’t work Friday afternoon when they are supposed to clean up the archive. Felix has plans, he says. This scenario is common, and it stems from different values and expectations. Each generation wears different “glasses” through which they see the world.
To communicate effectively, Mark needs to try seeing the world through Felix’s glasses and vice versa. Understanding each other’s perspectives can make a world of difference. For example, if Felix understands that Mark’s dedication comes from years of hard work, and Mark appreciates Felix’s need for work-life balance, they’ll find common ground.
Generational cohorts explain how the behavior of people born in the same period has been influenced by this period in time. There are significant differences within the cohorts and also a big difference in how much one resembles those from one’s own generation. So, we can’t put everyone in boxes but treat it as a tendency. I’ll give you an overview of the tendencies here.
Generation Z, or Gen Z, has grown up in a fast-paced, connected world. They value their time, have a strong sense of empathy, and juggle multiple identities. Here are a few things to know about them:
Understanding these traits helps in creating a workplace that resonates with them.
Gen Z wants to understand how their work fits into the bigger picture. Here’s how you can help them see that:
Due to the gap of perspectives and values, an extra effort must be made to understand each other. So, here are three recommendations.
Therefore, you need to help them by outlining the bigger picture. Make sure to answer questions like the following, even before the young employees ask them. Because when unexperienced, you don’t always know what to ask.
Currently, the norms for collaboration and leadership in most workplaces are defined by Generation X. The Ys (also known as Millennials) were predicted to change workplaces in the 2000s. But then the financial crisis hit: Two year-groups in Generation Y did not get their first job. Millennials did not revolutionize workplaces but adapted to the Xs. So, when Felix enters the workplace, it is Generation X’s values and rules he must fit into. They are very different from what is natural for him.
HR plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of empathy and understanding. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. This isn’t a one-time training but an ongoing effort to build a more inclusive and collaborative workplace.
By embracing these strategies, you can turn the generation gap from a challenge into an opportunity for growth and innovation. Let’s create a workplace where everyone, regardless of age, can thrive and contribute their best.
This article is an English version of the Danish article published in DANSK HR Magazine on Leadership Development in May 2024.
If you find it hard to bridge the generation gap maybe, you should consider coaching – helping to deal with the real challenges. Reach out or take a closer look at the coaching page.
And remember that we help people in multinational companies to handle challenges in a meaningful way and take business to the next level. If you would like to be updated with new articles and videos, sign up for our mailing list. Your mail is not shared with anyone and there are advantages to being on the list e.g., getting a mini course in your personal leadership.
Boundless. (n.d.). Edgar Schein – Organizational Culture: Artifacts, Values & Assumptions. Think Boundless. Retrieved from https://think-boundless.com/edgar-schein-organizational-culture/.
Deloitte Global 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey,
https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/dk/Documents/about-deloitte/Deloitte-Gen-Z-Millennial-Survey-2023-Denmark.pdf.
Dobrowolski, Z., Drozdowski, G., & Panait, M. (2022). Understanding the Impact of Generation Z on Risk Management—A Preliminary Views on Values, Competencies, and Ethics of the Generation Z in Public Administration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 3868. Link to the article.
Hattangadi, V. (2022, September 26). A Practical Guide to Edgar Schein’s three levels of organizational culture. Dr. Vidya Hattangadi. Retrieved from https://drvidyahattangadi.com/.
Katz, R. R., Ogilvie, S., Shaw, J., & Woodhead, L. (2021). Gen Z, explained: The art of living in a digital age. University of Chicago Press.
McKinsey & Company. (2022). Generation Z characteristics and its implications for companies. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com.
McKinsey & Company. (n.d.). Gen Z: Trends in consumer behavior and in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/generation-z.
Peek, S. (2023, June 28). Learn About the Management Theory of Edgar Schein. Business.com. Reviewed from https://www.business.com/.
Forget everything you know about what talent looks like and who should be developed. Learn to ask yourself and your company some essential questions when seeking genuine, unique talent. At the end of this article you’ll get 10 behavioral traits to look for.
As we transition from the assembly lines of Henry Ford’s factories to modern hybrid workspaces, the need for a new approach to leadership becomes clear. The challenges we face today are more complex and multifaceted, requiring leaders to move beyond the one-way, top-down communication of the past. Instead, contemporary leadership demands reciprocity, inclusivity, and a deep understanding of interdependence within teams. Find 3 suggestions of focus areas for leaders of the new world at the end of this article.
Every year, my friend Anne picks out a few books to read during the summer when she has vacation and more time to read. This summer she asked me what she should read. Here you’ll get 5 recommendations for your summer readings..
