Multigenerational Team

There are many challenges facing managers and leaders in current workforce. The variety of cultures, races and generations in today’s environment is making work harder. “Managing will also get even more difficult because of globalization, multi-generational workforce, dependency on technology, unethical behaviors and practices.” (Kaifi,2013,pg.217). In this paper I will talk about the three generations that we have had over the past sixty years – the Baby Boomer Generation, Generation X and the current Generation Y, known as Millennials. This rich mix of generations in the workforce can be attributed primarily to labor shortages experienced in many industries and the rising average age of retirement.

The workforce is seeing up to five generations working together for the first time in history. People are choosing to work longer and delay retirement. Ultimately, the workforce could experience up to six generations working together. It’s the role of business leaders to embrace diversity and guide their teams to cohesion. Generational gaps can pose challenges in the workplace, but understanding each generation 's unique characteristics and skills sets will assist in effectively managing diversity to keep a peaceful coexistence.

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.

This is the first time in American history where we have four generations in the workplace at the same time? While it is a good problem to have, this situation creates some diversity issues because of generation gaps and stereotypes. As stated by Diana Rigg, “Maybe at this stage in my career, it’s from that younger generation that I have most to learn.” If the older generations and the younger generations took this approach, the workplace would be a more inclusive and efficient place. In learning about the four generations, we can break through the stereotypes created by history and generational misunderstandings to highly functioning teams. As we discuss each

Each generation has developed a set of values and postures that are different from one another. Organizational settings should understand these generational differences in order to be more effective in leading a multigenerational workforce (Al-Asfour & Lettau, 2014). Leadership Training on the Generational Gap & Age Discrimination solutions are an important issue concerning creating a training programs to combat age gap problems in the workplaces. This might help to lower discrimination violations and complaints in the workplace and to the Human Rights Commission. Society in America has become much large in age gaps in labor this is not myths, but a mere reality that needs plans for solutions.

This is the first time in American history where four generations are in the workplace at the same time. While it is a good problem to have, this situation creates some issues because of generation gaps and stereotypes. As stated by Diana Rigg, “Maybe at this stage in my career, it’s from that younger generation that I have the most to learn.” If the older generations and the younger generations took this open approach, the workplace would be a more inclusive place because all employees would be open to learning from each other. By understanding the generational differences, employees can break through the stereotypes created by misunderstandings to become highly functioning organizations. In looking at the similarities and differences among the four generations working today, it has been discovered that these are the same items that bridge the gap to a better understanding. Diverse, cross-generational teams are both beneficial and necessary for organizations to create highly effective and creative teams. In addition, this type of inclusion has the ability to empower employees, and the company will reap the benefits in happier clients and increased profits.

To take a case in point, when discussing diversity in the workplace the main topics discussed are culture, gender, and race. Consequently, the topic of generational diversity in the workplace mostly becomes a forgotten type of diversity to discuss. During the course of LMM328-17: Diversity and Intergenerational Effectiveness, Ms. Sams construes that generational diversity does not focus solely on how each of the four generations’ (Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Millennials) diverse experiences and characteristics influences the manner of how generations apply themselves in the workplace.

As the globalization of work continues and the generational age groups change, the focus on understanding and “leveraging” the skill differences between the groups is becoming more and more critical to the success of a business. Organizations must continue to motivate and engage this multi-generational workforce for the best performances.

Managing multiple generations can pose a challenge for employers. Managers have to find a balance. Taylor (2014) state “The modern workplace is no different than those of years past, with Generation Y, Generation X and baby boomers all coexisting in the same office. But as more boomers work past retirement age, and tech-savvy millennials continue to graduate and enter the workforce, the stark differences in the values, communication styles and work habits of each generation are becoming increasingly pronounced.” (Taylor, 2014). Taylor (2014) also states “"As new generations join the workforce, there is a period of adaptation that 's required on both ends," said Rich Milgram, CEO of career network Beyond.com. "New talent needs to respect and assimilate, while established talent needs to adjust and remain flexible. Companies should challenge their employees to rise above [generational differences], think outside their comfort zone and tackle problems together."” (Taylor, 2014).

The workforce today encompasses four distinct generations, and each of these generations brings its own characteristics and values to work. According to Kevin, problems in the workplace can result, because these different generations bring their varying views and expectations to work, potentially creating dilemmas. In Managing Multiple Generations in workplace, a generation is defined as a cohort of people who share common knowledge, assumptions, and beliefs. A generation is a group of people who have grown up in same era, and their social and historical context tends to produce shared values and approaches. Kevin describes these generations as following, specifically exploring their characteristic workplace behavior, the challenges they

The contrasting values of the generations can impact manangment and human resources in the workplace. Currently, the diverse generational wokplace is a challenge that leadership must face. The genearations contrast in value set can impact the leadership style found in workplaces (Twenge, 2010). Managing Baby Boomers includes earning their respect and communicating with them in person. Because Baby Boomers are the oldest generation in the workplce, they tend to be in higher leadership positions. As a leader they need to keep in mind that the younger geneartions may not value the same things as their generation (Gibson et al., 2009). Workplace leaders need to recognize that Generation X values a work/life balance, so they can offer them flexible scheludes to accomadate their value set. In addition, leaders need to be giving these workers stimulating work, because they value it (Gibson et al., 2009). Unlike, other generations, Millenials favor friendship and working in groups. Leaders should recognize this value and allow their workers socialize in the workplace (Gibson et al., 2009).One way leadership could allow their employees to socialize is through group projects and company parties. It is crucial for leaders to recognize that the generations value many of the same things like health, family security and honesty.

The workforce of today incorporates employees from not one but several different generations. With each of these generations, there comes the challenge of being able to manage them effectively in the workplace. Each generation is motivated by different factors and responds differently to management styles. Human resource management of today requires being able to identify the generational differences, managing the generational differences and being able to bring them all together to produce the most effective working environment for the employee and the success of the organization they work for. In the article about Mixing and managing four generations of employees Hammill talks about how to find the perfect unity between all four of the generations in the workplace. While Jacobson discuses the characteristics of each generation, and how to properly manage each generation. The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) covers the topic as a whole. SHRM explains each generation in detail and what the generation believes in, and how each generation would work together best.

In today’s workforce, it is very common to have coworkers in multiple generations. The four generations that are currently in the workforce are the Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. Currently, the Baby Boomers and Generation Y make up the majority of employees in the workforce. There is great diversity between the generations in terms of what motivates them to perform well at work, attitudes about work, causes of conflict in the workplace, and communication in the workplace. Another aspect of the generations that has great diversity is the way in which they learn in the workplace. Because of this, employers have to provide training and development opportunities that cater to each generation. Baby

The aging labor force affects Human Resources by that the department needs to take the time to motivate employees who are older to push themselves, start planning for retirement and manage the cost health care. In today’s society, many older people do not plan on retiring anytime soon or do not have enough money to retire. From this, some older workers are cutting down hours, working on temporary assignments, and are working from home. This allows older generations to mentor younger generations with work ethics and other aspects of the business. While this also gives the younger generations to mentor older generations with the latest technology and new ways of thinking. Human Resource management might run into different issues with the different generations such as the silent generation values job security and income. Baby Boomers value job opportunities and time management. on the other hand, Generation X is self-managed and can be pragmatic and Generation Y is good with technology and respect the hard work of older generations.

These theories should assist organizational managers with the ability to attract and retain employees with traits concerning the organization’s goals no matter the employee's generations (Nichols & Cottrell, 2014). The framework and concept for this research will provide answers to the multigenerational management questions directly related to this qualitative and how to manage a multigenerational workforce effectively. Organizations must build teams to respond quickly to business environment and technology changes to ensure the organization's future existence in the current business (Bai, Lin, & Li, 2016). The role of technology in relation to a multigenerational workforce is a concept of specific rules on technology usage in the workplace (Haeger & Lingham, 2014).