Today’s workplace is unique, as it is rich not only with racial, gender, and ethnic diversity but also because it consists mainly of four different generations: Baby Boomers (late 50s to late 70s), Generation X (early 40s to mid-50s), Millennials (late 20s to early 40s), and Gen Z (elementary age to mid-20s). When most of us think of “diversity,” generational diversity may not be our go-to example, but the range of ideas and experience that comes with each age group is as instrumental to creating a productive workplace as any other element of diversity. There are numerous areas in which younger and senior generations can learn from one another, so today we will explore a few of these infinite learning possibilities!
First and foremost, it is crucial to acknowledge that speaking about the four different generations involves the risk of generalizations. As such, I want to put forth that my commentary is based on my own experience with and research regarding workplace generational diversity; nothing I say is meant to be the “final word” on how a person of any generation presents themself, what information they hold, or what skills they possess. Everyone is different! This blog will thus focus on some overall, but not exclusive, trends within each generation.
Additionally, although these four groups encompass a variety of ages and experiences, the generations are not as “different” as some may cite them to be. It might be more accurate to say that the differences between each generation are not “innate” but instead born of their diversity in experiences, experiences that are all shaped within an individual and their unique circumstances. Many of us overestimate generational differences! In fact, research suggests that both younger and senior employees believe other generations view them more negatively than these generations actually do. This instinct toward negativity can result in poorer workplace interactions, which is something all organizations want to avoid. By recognizing how generational differences vary and are not guaranteed labels that absolutely apply to every person within a given age range, the more easily we can learn from each other.
From Baby Boomers & Gen X to Millennials & Gen Z
For the most part, many individuals of senior generations (Baby Boomers, Gen X) have been in the workplace longer than individuals of younger generations (Millennials, Gen Z). As a result, these additional years of experience grant them insight into various difficulties that a person may encounter during their work life which younger generations simply may not have come across yet. For example, individuals in senior generations are often more familiar with working through economic recessions, meaning they might be able to provide financial guidance to younger workers, such as profitable but safe ways to save for retirement. These additional years of work experience also mean senior generations can typically provide practical advice to younger generations for managing their workloads: delegating one’s assignments, reframing their commitments, and knowing when to pull back versus when to push forward.
Furthermore, because senior generations have typically been in the workplace—or multiple workplaces—longer than younger generations, they may have also seen more change in their work environments than younger generations. Consequently, they may be able to advise younger generations on interpersonal skills, such as the many intricacies of face-to-face communication, as well as the importance of loyalty and perseverance, even when it feels like the ground is falling out from under one’s feet. With their extensive work experience, senior workers are also in a better position to retrospectively discuss what they regret in their careers. For many, they regret not what they did but what they didn’t do—such wisdom may prove invaluable to any number of younger employees.
From Millennials & Gen Z to Baby Boomers & Gen X
Perhaps the best thing about generational differences is that they are a two-way street—for all Millennials and Gen Z can learn from Baby Boomers and Gen X, there is just as much Baby Boomers and Gen X can learn from these younger generations, too! For starters, Millennials and Generation Z have grown up in the age of technology. That immersion has given many of them valuable insight into the nuances of tech, including access to and communication through various technological and online platforms—insight that can be beneficially shared with senior generations. Similarly, younger generations tend to have greater experience with social media cultivation, such as building one’s reputation online, which is also information they can share with interested parties of older age. And in addition to growing up in a period of technological change, younger generations also tend to (though do not always) have more recent educational experience than senior generations. This observation is not to claim any generation is “more intelligent” than another, but rather to simply acknowledge that information evolves with time, and it is never a bad thing to engage with the benefits of recent educational developments.
Related to periods of changing technology and evolving education, younger generations have also grown up surrounded by diversity. In fact, Generation Z themselves are “more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation.” As a result, younger generations tend to have greater “knowledge of different cultural touchstones,” meaning they are usually more confident in their ability to expand their diverse networks and combat issues of homogeneity. Do not misunderstand this observation as implying senior generations are incapable of recognizing the benefits of diversity! Rather, younger generations are often more familiar with harnessing diversity because many of them have been doing so since Day 1, allowing them to provide practical guidance to senior generations on these matters.
Younger generations have also grown up in an age where work-life balance has become a greater priority. They recognize that success is important, but they simultaneously believe that success should not come at the expense of their physical and mental health or of their relationships with friends and family. In other words, if a job demands more than a person is able to fairly give, younger generations can recognize that it’s okay to seek employment elsewhere. As aforementioned, senior generations can provide advice on the importance of loyalty to one’s workplace, but the flipside of loyalty can be an unhealthy commitment. Younger generations are therefore able to advise senior generations on prioritizing oneself as a person, not as merely an employee.
At the end of the day, it is crucial we recognize that generational differences are a blessing, not a curse, and that we do not have to see “difference” as “division.” As this blog explores, generational differences can offer advice born from a plethora of experiences, all of which are shaped by the individual themself, regardless of how old they are. Liane Davey puts it well: “It’s time to stop using the generations as an excuse for the distance among us and start really communicating to bring us all closer together.” An excellent point, and truth be told, we can take her wise words a step further—don’t they apply to every aspect of diversity, too?
So, what are we waiting for? There’s still so much we have to learn from one another!
Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company with a primary mission for advancing individuals in leadership. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. In addition, she provides guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within the organization.
Reach her at DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.
