5 Ways to Be More Productive and Work Seamlessly with Multiple Generations Under One Roof

Companies are now catching on to the importance of building a diverse team of employees.  In order for a company to experience success, it is extremely paramount to build a well-rounded staff of highly motivated individuals.

The phrase “the whole is greater than the sum” is one that we should all take heed to.

When we reference a diverse team, it not only means nationality.  A diverse team should also consist of a number of different age groups.  There are some key things to remember when building a strong diverse team and managing the generational gap in the workplace.

Here are 5 tips to boost productivity and bottom-line in a well-rounded diverse environment with generational differences.

1. Get everyone on one accord, even with generational differences. Often times, baby boomers are perceived as introverts and millennials are extroverts.  History shows that most baby boomers are very reserved in the workplace, whereas millennials are ready to have more in person, face to face interaction.  Be sure that effective communication strategies are set and in place for when these inevitable differences occur.

2. Learn what technology used to be and what it is now. The face of the workplace has significantly changed over the years.  There are individuals from many different walks and age groups in leadership positions now, but what has also changed is the use of technology.  Now, this is changing at an ever-increasing pace.  It is important to have an equal amount of knowledge on technical differences in accordance with generations.  Seek to gain insight from both points of view.

3. Support the concerns of employees. One of the top reasons that good employees leave companies is because they don’t feel heard.  They do not feel like there is an open door policy nor do they feel their opinion matters.  It is important to meet the needs and expectations of your employees and ensure you are aware of what motivates and inspires them.  This may look differently from one employee or generation to the next, but fair treatment is a must.

4. Promote teamwork and collaboration. Having worked in corporate America, I myself have witnessed some amazing things come from teamwork that is of high diversity.  The most effective way to promote teamwork is to make it a priority.  Set team meetings for a specific time each week so that your team has to come together to make sound decisions about the workflow and tasking them with a project where they must come together in order to complete it.

5. Drop the one-size-fits-all approach. Managing a team can be difficult at times, but it is also very important to keep in mind that first and foremost, one size does not fit all.  It is extremely important to get to know your team or staff.  As much as you possibly can, you must attempt to learn their styles of learning and working with people.  Learn the talents, strengths, skills and even weaknesses of your team so that it can be utilized in a way that is most beneficial to all.  We must keep in mind that everyone on our team is unique and motivated by different things.  Bring all those differences together and you’ll make an awesome team!