How to Manage a Multi-Generational Team

Which sounds like a more inviting and successful team–one that is ruled by misunderstandings, intolerance, and disconnectedness; or one that is guided by consideration, patience, and understanding?

Today’s workforce is unprecedented in its diversity. A successful team must be able to work together fluidly despite differences in culture, gender, and age. Leading a multi-generational team can be especially challenging, with team members ranging from young Zoomers to experienced Boomers. As a leader, you can help facilitate cross-generational teamwork, so that your workers can all reach their full potential.

4 Tips for Managing a Multi-Generational Team

1. Encourage skill-sharing.

It is all-too-common for older and more experienced workers to dismiss their younger counterparts as too green to bring anything to the table. The same can be said of many Millennial and Gen-Z workers who might disregard their senior coworkers for doing things differently. These kinds of internal biases can be chalked up to negative stereotypes, and ultimately they only hurt a team and its members.

One great solution is to encourage your team members to share their knowledge and skills with one another. You might ask a younger team member to train others in getting the most out of newer interfaces or programs, and you might hold a meeting for a senior employee to share their expertise in the nuances of the systems that are essential to your team. This will help your team members to cross bridges of understanding with one another while making them feel valued for the unique skills and strengths that they bring to the table.

2. Consider boundaries.

Members of different generations can have different expectations when it comes to what is acceptable in the workplace and what is not. For example, a Millennial employee may be more likely to feel that discussions of gender and sexual orientation are acceptable and even important in the workplace, while a Baby Boomer employee may be more likely to consider such topics inappropriate. Remember that boundaries are important regardless of a person’s age. Strive to create a work environment that is as appropriate and respectful as possible to workers of every age.

3. Be open-minded.

While it may be true that Baby Boomers tend to be dedicated workers and Gen-Z has a tendency to be technologically fluent, it is important to remember that these tendencies will not apply to every single member of a given generation. Avoid relying too much on generalizations, so that you won’t end up pigeon-holing your employees. A 50-year-old employee could very well make for a much more skilled social media coordinator than a 30-year-old if you give them a chance.

4. Establish respect.

Sometimes, the best management tips are the simplest ones. Cultivating an environment of respect will go a long way towards making sure that everyone feels respected, regardless of their age or background. Go out of your way to treat every team member with respect, and to encourage everyone to do the same.

Are you ready to invest some time to ensure that you are managing your multi-generational team as effectively as possible?