Baby Boomers to Millennials: Bridging the Generation Gap

With a battle of the ages being played out in the political arena, how do businesses create harmony between Millennials, Generation X and Baby Boomers? Our own Millennial HR Partner, Laura Rigby, takes a look at how an age diverse workforce can be brought together to share common goals and help your business to succeed by bridging the generation gap.

By Laura Rigby

I’m sure you will agree that this year has been an extremely strange one when it comes to politics.

The results from the EU referendum, American Presidency and recent Snap UK General Election were completely unexpected and not as the polls predicted.

It seems that society cannot make up its mind as to what is for the best, what we need and where the future should take us. But why is Society so fragmented?

Personally, I believe that the wide range of different generations has had a huge impact on political decisions this year. This then got me thinking about multi-generational workplaces and how the various generations successfully work towards the same goals and to the same policies if their personal values differ so much, as indicated by political outcomes of this year?

Multi-generational workforce – from 16 to 80+

Workplaces could potentially have employees with ages ranging from 16 all the way through to 80. Typically each generation will have had very different upbringings, life experiences, work styles and expectations and therefore have very different ideas of what is important.

Whilst Baby Boomers tend to value individuality and place importance on material success, Generation X are more focused on flexibility, work-life balance and development/promotion and Millennials value social activities, personal freedom and workplace engagement.

How to bridge the ‘Generation Gap’

To ensure all employees are on the same page, it is essential to have an organisational Vision and corporate Values in place, and ensure that all staff have been involved in the creation of these so that it can be guaranteed that everyone’s thoughts and suggestions have been considered.

8 reasons why it’s important to have a Vision and Values?

• It sets direction and expectations
• Provides clarity and common focus
• Puts everyone on the same page
• Builds trust
• Creates the recruitment of the right people
• Allows the development of strategies
• Enables consistency
• Builds culture and character

How do I put a Vision and Values together?

Weeeeellll you’ll have to keep reading our blogs as we have more to say on this subject with a case study coming soon…and if you need help now, please get in touch and we will carry out a free assessment of your needs – details below.