Understanding Younger and Older Co-Workers
The Canadian workforce is currently made up of three generations, each with its own distinct style of working and communicating. They are the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Gen X (born between 1965 and 1979) and Gen Y (born between 1980 and 2000). There’s also another up-and-coming group, Generation Z, who are now in high school and university but will soon bring their unique talents and challenges to the workforce.
In this multi-generational workforce, you might have teammates who are the same ages as your parents or grandparents or your children and grandchildren. However, because each demographic has different expectations, strengths and ways of working, there can be frustrations and friction.
Bridging the gaps
Here are some ways to bridge generation gaps so that all your work relationships are collaborative and rewarding:
- Avoid stereotypes. There are 65-year-old technology whizzes and 25-year-olds who have a lot to teach older colleagues. Try not to judge or pigeonhole people.
- Make an effort to work inclusively and collaboratively. Here are some ways to do that:
- If you’re working on a group project, include people of all ages.
- When you schedule meetings, take into account people’s personal lives and their different needs. Early morning meetings may be tough for those with small children or a dependent relative at home. Late-in-the-day meetings can be hard for those who may be attending evening classes. A good solution is to rotate meeting times so that one group doesn’t have to do all the adapting.
- Ask an older colleague for their point of view or a younger person for help with a technology problem you think they can solve.
- Get to know people’s strengths across the generations. Help each other out by sharing strengths.
- Seek out mentoring opportunities at work. All employees value mentoring relationships. Studies show that a lack of mentoring is a common reason Gen Ys leave jobs. Mentoring is also of interest to older age groups. The potential for older and younger employees to keep on learning, and to learn from one another, is endless.
- Be willing to give up control. Some of the greatest ideas and results come from situations where the generations hand over some control and responsibility to each another. To do that takes some effort. Baby Boomers, who have had to compete for everything they’ve ever accomplished, don’t always want to hand over projects that give them prestige and influence. Gen Xers and Gen Yers, who want to prove their competency, also try to hang on to responsibilities that will showcase what they know. But being willing to let someone else take over the reins when you’re overloaded or stuck can lead to great things, and bring a whole new perspective to the project.
- Use humour to bridge gaps. It can help you get to know your co-workers as people and it’s a wonderful bridge between the generations. You realize how much you have in common when you and a co-worker 20 years older or younger are laughing at the same jokes.
- Show your appreciation. Tell your younger or older co-worker, “I really value your input and appreciate your help.” Or send an email or handwritten note to show your appreciation. We all like to feel valued, needed, and successful.
The workplace is a richer, more complex place than it has ever been. Working with people of all ages provides wonderful and enriching opportunities for us all. Take advantage of these opportunities.
