How younger staff can work with older staff

You’ve recently landed a new job and are excited beyond belief. The position is in a sector you love. The role is a perfect fit for your skills and values. You’re young with opportunities for advancement.

After a few months, however, life isn’t rosy. While you respect them, you’re struggling to work with the older employees on your team.

Research shows that friction between generations can be a problem. It can lower productivity, including through employee dissatisfaction, overall confusion and inefficient work patterns. This expert article provides ideas and tips on intergenerational inclusion.

Question 1: What is intergenerational inclusion?

Intergenerational inclusion is when everyone at work is recognised and valued, regardless of age. It is about the  unique and beneficial ways different age groups add value and meaning to an organisation’s end goal.

Some workplaces today include members of four generations—Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers—so dealing with intergenerational issues is important. In a healthy workplace, every generation feels confident and free to bring unique strengths, perspectives and approaches to the table. Intergenerational inclusion also covers a willingness to learn from all generations.

Question 2: Why is intergenerational inclusion important?

Embracing intergenerational inclusion—instead of resisting or fighting it—adds enormous value. Diversity and working across generations positions organisations to stand out. Benefits include greater and/or improved:

• innovation
• engagement
• customer services
• efficiency and effectiveness
• savings (time and money)
• collaboration
• decision making
• employee satisfaction.

Healthy intergenerational inclusion is also a moral imperative in today’s workplace. It enables organisations to avoid discrimination and stereotypes. It supports organisations in building a meaningful, inclusive and harmonious culture for all. As such, intergenerational harmony can be transformative and rewarding.

Question 3:  How do I manage working with older employees?

Start with these tips.

Gain perspective

People are living and working longer. This global trend sees older workers staying in jobs longer and even retirees returning to work. It’s even a government priority to embrace mature age workers for their enriched experience, lifetime of knowledge and valuable transferrable skills. The government has financial incentives for employers to hire Australians 50 years of age and over, including the Workforce Australia wage subsidy.

Avoid assumptions

Never assume that older employees are less capable or a detriment to a vibrant, go-getter workforce. This attitude will hinder your ability to work alongside this cohort without bias, and you’ll certainly miss out. The reality is that ‘mature aged’ workers have been through the traps—much more so than you have—and they have valuable insights based on real, hard-earned experience.

Be flexible and keep an open mind

Flexibility is key to getting along with all colleagues, regardless of age, background, gender or culture. You learn more, adapt better and are seen as more progressive and professional when you keep an open mind. This includes being understanding, flexible and adaptable when dealing with colleagues older than yourself.

Don’t be threatened

Some younger workers, without realising it, may feel threatened by more experienced and older colleagues and act defensively or disrespectfully as a protection mechanism. Communicating with more mature colleagues, to better understand them, will counter-balance feelings of discomfort.

Be willing to learn

Every generation can learn from every other generation. That’s a fact of life. So embrace what older workers have to offer and learn from their wisdom. Ask questions. Listen carefully.

Share your knowledge

Just as you can learn from older generations, mature workers can learn from you. Don’t be shy about sharing knowledge, including in the technology space.

Think big picture

Great managers appreciate, applaud and award employees who support organisational goals, and collaborate on the big picture. This includes employees who can work in teams with members that cross generations. Position yourself to work with all team members, no matter what age they are.

Learn more

Benefits of hiring mature aged workers

Tackling a personality clash at work