Today’s professional workforce is extremely diverse, the skills and knowledge belonging to different generations being completely different. Being a leader or the manager of a multinational company brings a lot of challenges such as:
- The well-known conflicts between generations
- Poor communication and cooperation
- Inefficient teamplay
Before we get into the practical information, which will cover several good ways of managing your multigenerational workforce, here are the 5 generations of workers that are present in today’s job marketplace:
· Traditionalists (born between1927 -1945)
· Baby Boomers (born between 1946 – 1964)
· Generation X (born between 1965 – 1980)
· Generation Y (born between 1981 – 2000)
· Generation Z (born after 2001)
In order for your team of employees to get along and work well together, you must create and nurture a proper work environment, in which, no matter their age, all your employees can grow and thrive together. Let’s see what you can do to better manage your multigenerational workforce:
1. Identify and Leverage Each Generation’s Traits
Firstly, you need to look objectively at the strengths and weaknesses of each generation, so you can fully benefit from each of your team member’s qualities. This can be the shortest and most effective way to reach your company’s goals.
Take Generation Y (millennials) as an example. Most of them were born with the technology in their hands, therefore they possess amazing technological skills even from a young age. Not to mention how easily they can handle most of today’s social platforms…
On the other hand, baby boomers (46’-64’) are thriving at other things such as public presentations, conferences, accountability, and mostly what concerns the ability to properly communicate.
2. Encourage Collaboration Instead of Competition
It’s easy to figure that the differences between generations are likely to generate workplace conflicts due to various reasons. Therefore, as a manager, you need to promote a prosperous collaboration between people that belong to “different ages”. Show them how much they have to learn from each other and how fast they can achieve great results if they were to work together as a true team.
You can organize teams that comprise different generations of individuals, so the young can learn from the old and the other way around. Always remind your team that all of us can grow and improve ourselves continuously, sometimes from the most unexpected people and events.
3. Provide an Effective Communication
Communication is well known as one of the keys to successful relationships. Therefore, an effective communication with and between your employees is what will help you manage your multigenerational workforce better. Generally, each generation prefers a different way of communicating with their leader.
Older employees like a communication that is more personal, preferably face to face or through a phone call, while the younger generations prefer interpersonal ways like emails and instant messages. Moreover, every generation works differently too, and it’s your job to measure and reward their productivity and efficiency in different ways, all according to their preferences.
4. Develop a Team Based on Trust and Respect
In order to make your life as a manager easier, developing a trustworthy and respectful team is essential. First, you have to make sure that your employees trust you completely. For this, you can prove them that all your conversations are kept confidential, that your door is always open, and that failures aren’t something to be afraid of because they are an essential part of the process.
Furthermore, leading by example will make your team look up to you, with respect, and it will also inspire them to act in the same way. It all comes naturally. Your team is your second family, so never treat them less than that.
5. Design a Benefic Workplace Culture
If you want to succeed in managing a multigenerational workforce, you should make sure you create a strong culture in your workplace. The environment you provide for your team at work should be made up of values and behaviors that are shared by each generation. Implement a supportive, constructive, and positive culture where everybody can feel free to speak up their minds.
On a monthly basis, you can hold a meeting with your team, a moment where your employees can learn to accept the differences between the generations. This is the time when you and your employees can talk freely about what needs, challenges, setbacks, and inconveniences you all face.
Wrapping It Up
Managing a multigenerational workforce may be harder than it seems. As a manager, you have to focus a big part of your attention on the behavior of each generation. Identify their strengths and make the best of them.
Furthermore, an effective communication can save your company from a lot of trouble along the way. With all of these being said, you are all set for giving your best shot at managing your multigenerational workforce. Good luck!
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