Leading Intergenerational Essay

Understanding how to work with employees of different generations will be especially valuable in enhancing my effectiveness as a manager and leader because in today’s

It’s the first time in American history that five generations are sharing the workplace, from Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, the Millennials or Generation Y, and the new unnamed generation. With five generations come five sets of ideas, how to conduct one’s self, approach activities, values and motivators. Different beliefs, understandings, and undertakings create misinterpretations and frustrations. The fire service is currently facing a similar situation. It’s imperative to recognize and understand these differences to avoid misunderstandings and to help your department work effectively to meet its goals. Not every employee displays aspect of their generation category, but understanding the individualities of each generation will help with teamwork, supervision, embracing change, and productivity. With each generation there are different communication styles and driving factors that motivate production. It is essential that you understand how each generation communicates and what they motivators are so that you can communicate ideas and organization vision to them. What can we do in the fire service to prepare to handle these challenges?

The generational span is exceedingly larger today than in the prior history of our nation. The multiple generations consist of the veterans 1922-1945, the baby boomers 1946-1964, the generation X 1965-1981, and, the generation Y 1982-1999, in addition, upcoming millennial generation born 2000-2016 (Murray, 2013). There frequently are misconceptions and misunderstandings based on the differing perspectives of each generation. Moreover, as an effective leader, one must comprehend and acknowledge the characteristics of each generation and utilize these individualities to mentor and motivate the staff they are leading (Hendricks & Cope, 2012). In addition to considering the impact of the generational

The current generations in the workplace today are Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Each generation brings their own values and mindsets to the mix. Although genetics play a part in a person’s characteristics, the generation in which someone is born into also plays an integral part in shaping their mind, values, goals, and work ethics. People from the same generation share similar experiences, and this can influence how they think politically and socially.

The experiences and information each generation has can be used as a tool for building rapport and presents an opportunity to learn something new. However, the approach to managing all five generations requires managers to assign tasks based on the actual work behaviors and performance shown by each person, regardless of age and in a manner that uses each person’s strengths. Managers should pair older or younger employees that have limited knowledge about technologically demanding tasks with younger employees (Gen X and Y) who are able to offer assistance or helpful information (to simplify the task). Individuals who favor teamwork (Boomers, Silenters and Nexters) and are interested in advanced technical processes, should collaborate with Nexters. The partnership will potentially provide mentorship for Nexters to improve their interpersonal communication skills and creates learning opportunities for Boomers and Silenters to improve their work performance, skills and show leadership abilities.

You are absolutely right about being more open with younger generations. Although, I believe it should work both ways. We can learn a lot from each individuals, whether we are from Gen-X, Gen-Y and Baby Boomers. I did mention before that younger generation believed that coming from the Fire School Academy makes them better than anybody else at the firehouse. Same could be applied to senior staff when they strongly believe that the way it works in my station is “My Way or the High-way”.

I believe that all four of the generations in the work place can work together without having any conflicts. Many professional facilities and companies have people of different age groups working together in the same field. There are many articles written by different people who say that studies show that there are many conflicts between the generations, while working together. The four different types of generations are the veterans, the baby boomers, the generation X, and the generation Y. I will talk of all their important characteristics and compare and contrast their qualities based on work ethics, education, and multi-tasking.

Generations in the Workplace Informative Outline Introduction 1. Have you ever noticed your co-workers age groups? a. You will notice each age group has different characteristics. 2. This is because you work with different generations at work.

The four generations make up a dynamic and challenging workforce. The differences each generation brings will create exciting changes through organizational change and a shift in management¡¦s perspective on personnel issues. Only by understanding and respecting the generational differences, can Management successfully accomplish the blending of these four disparate generations into a unified workforce.

People from different generations are, simply put, different. This is true in all aspects of life including the social, religious, and familial components. However, where this truth can become quite apparent is in the workplace. I interviewed four of my family members to determine how much these generational differences would hold true despite being a part of the same family, and therefore likely to be similar. What I learned is that each person has some characteristics that align with their generation, and some that do not. Yet, this happens in varying degrees for different people. Still understanding how a person wants to be managed will help a manager manage them more effectively. Since generations play a big role in how a person works and

A key issue with multigenerational workforces is that senior management may not recognize that the differences between generations is a problem that middle management faces and therefore may not retain the talent each brings to the team. When talent retention becomes a problem in an organization the whole organization suffers.

I find that the greatest advantage of managing a multigenerational team is the diverse points of view from different generations and how the team can be enriched from diversity. The combination of experience with technology savvy people leverage the ability

“Research indicates that people communicate based on their generational backgrounds. Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttons” (Hammil, n.d). Once differences are understood better between generations, work can get done together and not apart. The same applies to gender differences and all others. All individuals must be open to cultural differences or the world will continue to be divided. People should take advantage of the knowledge expressed here because it will teach individuals to work together throughout the many differences individuals possess. Leaders can learn a lot by working with the different generations because it presents perceptions outside one’s own. Seeing what has worked for women in their careers, to how individual’s

“The number of employees over the age of 55 has increased by 30 percent; however, the number of 25- to 54-year-olds has only increased by 1 percent” (Claire, 2009). In 2008 the eldest of the 77 million baby-boomers turned 62. Estimates are that by the end of the decade about 40 percent of the work force will be eligible to retire. As people begin to reach the age of retirement there may be not be enough new employees to fill the gap (Clare, 2009). Companies need to find ways to attract Boomers and Millennials. Companies that want to attract Boomers and Millennials need to be creative in their culture, HR policies and work environments.

With every generation comes a lifestyle with unique ideas, values and language. Accounting Today recognizes the importance of generations and their effects on the business field in its articles “Bridging the Gaps” by Jennifer Wilson and “The Way We Learn Now,” by Jennifer Wilson and Krista Remer. This memo summarizes these articles, analyzes the formation of each generation, and identifies advantages of a multigenerational workplace.