Many workers keep their job positions into their sixties (some even into their seventies). The average life span is extended, so people continue to work because they need funds to pay for their extended years of life. There are companies that have 5 generations of employees working there:
- Traditionalists (born before 1945)
- Baby boomers (born up to 1964)
- Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1981)
- Millennials (born between 1982 and 1993)
- Generation Zers (born between 1994 and 2009)
Given the proliferation of multigenerational coworkers, we see how diversity in today’s workplace goes beyond ethnicity, gender, and race. And there are quite a few ways that your company can benefit from a multigenerational workforce.
Learning opportunities
Employees can teach each other new and more efficient ways of approaching things and doing business across generations. Multigenerational diversity at work should be seen as learning opportunities for everyone involved (not just the younger employees). For example, a Baby Boomer could use help from a younger and technologically adept employee to learn how to automate tedious tasks with the use of computer software.
Problem-solving
Having a multiple-generation workforce can be beneficial when it comes to coming up with new ways of addressing daily problems and identifying potential solutions. Each generation has its own problem-solving approaches.
Mentoring
Since modern companies often decide to launch a mentoring program to educate their employees, a multigenerational workforce is the perfect workplace environment for mentoring. It helps team members gain new information and skills and improves the company culture.
Understanding different audiences
Every generation has its own specificities and is unique. By employing knowledge from personnel from each generation, you can understand different target audiences that you’re trying to reach much better.
More Distinct Advantages of a Multigenerational Workforce
Tech-savvy younger generations bring in fresh energy to a company, while older generations have rich experiences and perspectives that bring in vision and wisdom. Past technology is what guides future innovation, and in the same vein, hiring older generations of employees to utilize their knowledge can help your company thrive.
Baby boomers and Gen Xers bring in a culture of work ethic, collaboration, and quality, and have many important skills to teach the Millennials and Gen Zers. They can offer great lessons in general group motivation, group dynamics, empathy, and relationship-building, as well as guide younger generations of employees by sharing tricks of the trade and industry insights. Gen Zers, on the other hand, get credit for introducing social media and new mobile apps to seasoned workers.
Companies can leverage the benefits of reverse monitoring programs where Millennial mentors can teach corporate leadership about social media usage, the cloud, mobile computing, and other advanced technologies that their customers are using. These programs can make Millennials feel more connected to the company, while the company saves money and time, while increasing its success rate with targeted audiences.
Each generation brings different talents and skills to the table, and when it comes to innovation, leaders know that diversity is important. Combining different approaches and philosophies in the workplace is imperative to a winning solution.
Is your workforce comprised of multiple generations? Do you want to find ways to improve relationships and enable them to inspire, teach, and motivate each other? Call me for some complimentary advice. Book an appointment at https://go.oncehub.com/GregNichvalodoff or call me at +1 (604) 943-0800.
