Generating Organizational Change and Learning in a Multi-Generational Workforce

Many leaders, even experienced ones, look at generational diversity primarily as a challenge. There is plenty of material written about that subject, some of which I've written myself.

I want to focus this article on what the multi-generational workforce can do for learning and major organizational change. With some practice and dedication, you can create an environment where anyone can learn anything. You can empower any type of change.

The Case for Creating Change

There's an old saying that the only constant is change. Well, there have been very few times in history when that is more obvious than it is now.

Change is a strange thing. It happens all the time, but it doesn't happen everywhere at the same rate. 

Certain organizations seem to be stuck in an old way of doing things. Others change so quickly that it isn't always clear whether they're making progress, or they are falling back. In both situations, the organizations are subject to change. They aren't creating it. 

One of the greatest challenges of leadership is creating change within your company. Specifically, you want the power to create the changes you need — at the rate you need — to pursue your unique vision of success.

The Power of Generational Diversity

Sometimes, you'll revert to something you used to do. Other times, you'll push forward to accomplish something you've never done.

Generational diversity is essential because it keeps both of these positions open. It gives you the resources you need to complete your missions, whatever they are.

If you decide you want to push for something new, you need people who understand new ideas and technology on an intuitive and native level — you need young people. If you want to fall back to a known operation, you need people who know the territory — you need experienced professionals.

The Transaction of Trust

Employing people from multiple generations in your organization does not guarantee success. You also need to empower them to work together, regardless of the course you take. That's where learning comes in.

Learning is an exchange of information. It is also a transaction of trust. For it to work, people in your organization need to have confidence in one another. More specifically, they need to know that everyone shares the same values and goals.

In the type of multi-generational tutoring relationships necessary to effect change across your organization, trust is an essential concept. It's almost more important than the information being taught.

The Way Vision Enables Success During Unprecedented Organizational Changes

Trust starts at the top of the organization. It starts with you.

Great leaders lead towards unique, well-formed visions of success. The relentless pursuit of those visions is what generates trust. 

If people know where they're going, they will do the right thing to get there. They will learn together, act together, and succeed together, even if the details of how they do so change rapidly.

Do you have a vision that will remain in place, guiding your organization through the tumultuous changes?