Multi-Generational Workplace: Leading with Clarity, Consistency, and Communication

The multi-generational workplace is a leadership challenge, but maybe not for the reasons you think. Most people focus on what is there: culture clashes, differences over technology, different ways of processing the same information, or different stages of life.

I would instead ask this question: What is the average multi-generational organization missing? Usually, it's missing clarity, consistency, and communication from the leadership level.

In even the most homogenous organization, missing any of these "three C's" is likely to create issues. When you're dealing with high levels of diversity, it's time to double down on these leadership concepts.

Clarity: Refining Your Message

Clarity needs to start at the very core of your organization. You need a crystal-clear vision of what success looks like for you.

Once you have a vision your team can instantly get behind, clarity almost automatically propagates itself throughout your group. People start to own the vision — simply because it's easy enough to understand and compelling enough to work towards.

Consistency: Walking the Talk

When you have a group of diverse individuals working towards something, that brings you to the issue of consistency. Vision needs some help from real-world guidance. For that, you need a cohesive company culture.

People view corporate culture in different ways. I see it as a set of guidelines on how to do the right thing.

As a leader, most of your work should be showing people how to do the right thing to advance your vision. The actions you take as a leader should be consistent with this culture — even if it means making some tough decisions.

Note that you aren't trying to teach people to do their jobs, how to comport themselves, or which tasks they need to accomplish. Culture is different from duty or policy. Creating a working culture means empowering people to always make the right choices for the group — regardless of their situations or their generations' tendencies.

Communication: Getting People to Join the Conversation

Once you have a clear vision of success and a culture where people make the right choice for your company, it's time to put these things to work. Establishing sustainable communication will require a lot from you and your team.

First, there are the leadership communication skills you can practice: empathy, listening, public speaking, meeting administration, 1-on-1's, course corrections, and delegation, to name a few.

Then, there are the links you can establish within your organization. For multi-generational organizations, I find that one of the easiest and most powerful ways to establish communication is with inter-generational mentorship relationships. 

Becoming a Clear, Consistent, Communicative Leader

If you start working on this right now, you'll be surprised at how quickly these values bring about positive change in your organization's culture. That said, you will need practice and dedication to make those changes permanent — to prepare your team for success in what will undoubtedly be an even more diverse future.

Do your leadership concepts match the Three C’s to advance your company’s vision?