Working with Multi-Generations
Today’s workplace dynamics can present challenges, but also offer opportunities for leaders with creative vision. One thing I am seeing frequently is the bias against millennials unwilling to do the hard work OR the reverse, bias against older team members as luddites. The best advice I’ve seen comes from Joe Casey, an executive coach who was formerly HR Manager at Merrill Lynch, in a Wall Street Journal article “the New, Multi-generational Workplace.” It’s short and sweet: “There are huge variables within each generation….Managers have to identify what skills and strengths each individual employee can contribute and confront their own biases so they can move their team beyond labels.” I watch labels and assumptions being tossed about and it simply doesn’t help. Indeed, it slows getting the best performance from each member of the team. One-size-fits-all approach to managing people has never worked but it is painfully apparent today.
Keep this in mind too: there are multiple generations in the work place and many older people are working well past 65. Firm leaders have to figure out how to allow upward mobility for younger team members as the older members remain. The strongest teams are diverse teams encouraged to be open-minded and collaborative. Get started!
