How can baby boomers and younger employees work together in harmony?

“Gen X and Gen Y employees don’t have a solid work ethic.” “Baby boomers are slow to change.” “The younger generation is one of entitlement.” “The older generation values money over a quality work environment.”

You’ve heard these comments. You may have even made them. Whether they are true or not, baby boomers and younger workers are having trouble embracing one another.

At the last Arizona Leadership Forum we invited a group of baby boomers and college students to tackle the issue of how these two groups can work effectively together.

First, we wanted to find out, what are the issues unique between baby boomers and younger workers? And, what are issues found in any pairing of older and younger workers, at any time in history? Here are some timeless examples of generational misperceptions:

• A college student said he wants a job free from ridged rules. Boomers remembered wanting the same thing when they started their careers. (And still do).
• A 50 year old business leader said younger workers expect high paying leadership roles before they’ve proven themselves. Every generation has an economic downturn, and this current one may have re-set expectations.

What is unique about these two groups is the unprecedented size and influence of the baby boomer generation and the role technology is playing in shaping perceptions and skills in today’s younger workers. Both want what the other has: The younger workers want the influence enjoyed by the baby boomers and the older workers want the innovative and collaborative potential found with tech-savvy younger workers.

Baby boomers have

• Experience, work ethic
• Ability to take ownership of results
• A big picture perspective
• Ease with following proven, traditional practices

What our college students want in a job is

• Excellent and ongoing training
• Ability to pursue individual interests
• Good work/life balance
• Ability to contribute immediately
• Have a voice in the company’s direction and vision

Before those strengths from one group can be leverage with the desires of the other, stereotypes and perceptions must be discussed. Many younger workers blame the Boomers on what is wrong in business and in the world and boomers don’t feel younger workers respect or understand them or what they do.

So what can be done?

Boomers need to support younger works by:

• Listening to their ideas
• Create opportunities for them to work collaboratively
• Provide thorough training and mentorship
• Freedom to work independently and creatively

Younger workers need to support boomers by:

• Seeing and validating their work experience
• Prove to them they can get results
• Add value to current projects
• Adopt a flexible communication style

Instead of seeing the other as a barrier, Boomers and younger workers need to openly discuss stereotypes, encourage new ideas, respect proven practices and collaborate with one another.

Participate in a free webinar “How to Help Boomers and the Younger Generation Work Effectively Today”
June 4th, 2010
12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
To sign up go to: www.missonfacilitators.com