Adapting to generational changes in the workforce can be challenging. Each generation has different experiences growing up that impact their values, attitudes, and approaches to work.
Understanding how intergenerational employees fulfill their job duties and responsibilities helps managers lead their teams. Adaptation to how these employees prefer to be managed helps the company grow.
Benefits of a Multigenerational Workforce
Understanding generational differences in the workforce provides many benefits:
- More diversity within the workforce
- Improved decision-making through conversations with multigenerational employees
- Greater conflict resolution through understanding multigenerational employees’ communication styles and needs
- Increased employee engagement, performance, and job satisfaction
- Stronger collaboration and team cohesion
- Elevated productivity, employee morale, and retention rates
- Clearer understanding of how to attract, motivate, reward, and keep multigenerational employees
Tips to Adapt to Generational Changes in the Workforce
Promote Generational Diversity in the Workforce
Generational diversity should exist at all levels throughout your organization. Also, hiring and promotions should be based on skills and potential rather than years of experience or age range.
Gathering input from intergenerational employees at all levels supports problem-solving and innovation. These factors help keep your company competitive.
Prioritize Intergenerational Communication in the Workforce
Offer diverse methods of communication to fill multigenerational employees’ needs. The ability to share ideas, information, and feedback using the preferred methods supports collaboration and cohesion.
For instance, baby boomers and Gen X typically prefer to communicate in person or over the phone. Conversely, millennials and Gen Z typically choose instant messaging, email, text, Zoom, and other tech-based communication tools.
Although baby boomers usually enjoy communicating while working on team projects, Gen X often prefers to work independently and communicate with their team only when necessary. In contrast, millennials and Gen Z usually prefer collaborative projects, clear expectations, and ongoing constructive feedback to improve their performance.
Diversify Training Methods for the Multigenerational Workforce
Provide multiple training methods for your multigenerational workforce. Because different generations learn information differently, managers must adapt their training methods to fit their employees’ needs.
Diverse training methods for a multigenerational workforce include:
- Lunch and Learns
- Microlearning
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- Leadership development
- Learning opportunities with senior employees
Would You Like Help to Hire Multigenerational Employees?
Job Store Staffing® can provide you with multigenerational candidates to help reach your Colorado company’s goals. Find out more today.