Generalized Strengths and Characteristics Across Generations, Such as Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, Millennials, and Gen Z

Leading a multigeneration team is a challenge, and it's one that is nearly impossible to sidestep in today's diverse workforce. With people staying at work later in their lives and entering positions of responsibility earlier, this is an issue that's likely to continue well into the future.

Understanding the Clubs in Your Bag

Each generation has some typical characteristics and leadership strengths. I think of generational diversity as similar to the clubs in a golf bag.

Each club has a different challenge that it's best suited for. Each one is made for a specific purpose. The people in your organizations also probably have things that they're exceptionally good at — because of the way they grew up, the experiences that they've had, and the cultural attitudes that they hold.

The difference is that golf clubs can't grow into different roles or develop different strengths. People can — and sometimes want to. That's important to remember when making leadership decisions based on generational characteristics.

Baby Boomers

Baby boomers are the oldest workers that you are likely to have in your organization. They grew up during the prosperous postwar era dominated by strong ideological messages. They typically have the following strengths:

·         Ability to motivate and influence others with vision and ideas

·         Strong sense of loyalty to groups and organizations

·         Extensive professional experience and personal networks

Gen X-ers

These 40-to-60-year-olds grew up in a period of globalization and shifting priorities. They are sometimes miscategorized as slackers — a perception that comes from a distinct schism in work culture compared to the previous generation. Their strengths are:

·         Advanced knowledge and developed technical prowess in their fields of focus

·         Independent initiative and ability to self-manage

·         Ability to mediate between high-tech younger generations and more traditional older ones

Millennials

Millennials are the maturing professional generation right now. Most of them grew up with the Internet and personal computers in their homes — those who didn't at least had access to this technology during their school years. They typically have the following characteristics:

·         Technical prowess with a wide range of computing and communication technology

·         A balance between recent academic training and professional experience

·         Advanced collaboration and personal networking skills

Gen Z

Generation Z-ers are defined by being true internet natives. Most have grown up playing with networked devices and grown into interacting with people over social networking services. Their characteristics and strengths include:

·         Eagerness to work and good energy levels

·         Ability to easily establish dialogues with others

·         Highly advanced communication skills over many channels

Remember to Listen to the People You're Leading

You're leading the individuals that make up your unique organization. General knowledge about age groups can provide a starting point — it helps you define your potential challenges and opportunities.

Are you actively learning how your workforce is both similar and different to the above generational stereotypes — so you can start to motivate these diverse individuals towards your shared vision of success?