Modern businesses face challenges that organizations of old couldn’t have fathomed. Companies of today must efficiently carry out core business operations, find a way to make themselves stand out in the crowded digital marketplace, and manage talent from several generations.
The latter challenge can be particularly difficult, as each generation in the workforce has unique perspectives, concerns, and professional objectives.
If your business has team members who span multiple generations (which it likely does), there’s good news. You can implement more effective people management techniques by leveraging these 3 proven tips:
1. Do Your Homework
If you hope to effectively manage various generations, step one is to do your homework. You need to know what makes each generation tick so that you can manage with empathy and efficiency. Keep in mind that these are broad generalizations, and employees born near generational shifts may exhibit characteristics from both groups.
With that being said, Baby Boomers are typically known for having a goal-oriented mindset and strong work ethic. Employees from this generation place a high value on in-person interactions and traditional business processes.
Generation X consists largely of adults who like to work independently and prefer flexibility in the workplace. Gen Xers are comfortable with electronic communication, but can also excel in person. They place a high priority on achieving a work-life balance.
Millennials tend to focus on quality over quantity. If all of their tasks for the day have been completed at a satisfactory level, Millennials typically feel as though their workday should be over. Managers must communicate transparently to connect with Millennial employees.
Gen Z team members tend to prioritize workplace diversity. They want employers to support their career development by providing training and growth opportunities.
2. Encourage Cross-Generational Collaboration
Oftentimes, members of the same generation will gravitate toward one another in the workplace. While being surrounded by like-minded employees can be good for morale, it’s also important for your staff to get out of their respective comfort zones.
You can facilitate this by encouraging cross-generational collaboration. When creating teams or shifts, pair individuals from different age ranges. This can make each team more productive while also helping you prevent generational conflicts.
3. Source Great Talent
The final key to successfully managing employees from different generations is to source great talent. Team members will have better morale when their coworkers are pulling their weight and contributing to the company’s mission, regardless of age.
Conversely, if a particular segment of your workforce is lagging behind in expectations, it can create friction that falls along generational gaps.
For example, let’s say that you hire several Gen Z employees who are underperforming. Older staff members who already have a negative predisposition toward the younger generation may become frustrated and less productive.
If sourcing talent and recruiting have become challenges for your business, Smart Staffing Solutions can help. We partner with clients in industries such as:
- New home sales
- Human resources
- Homebuilding
Our staffing solutions pair you with fully trained and carefully vetted professionals. Request talent today to get started.