From feedback received at a conference breakout session titled Collaboration in a Multigenerational Workplace, a millennial asked for information on how to deal with older generational thinking. My presentation was geared to managing the younger generations (Millennials and Gen Z’s) because they account for 51% of the workforce this year. To answer to my curious participant, I’ve written this short Leadership Tip to help younger managers collaborate with their older subordinates, to reduce or avoid unnecessary conflict, and it’s all about relationships. 

Respecting our elders is traditional, and it’s a humbling experience for them to be managed by someone younger.  According to Forbes, over 80% of millennial managers were promoted within the first five years of working for their company, compared to under 20% of baby boomers. You can see how this statistic alone shines light on contrasting workplace values;  ‘starting at the bottom and working your way up’.  As a young manager, if you can put yourself in their shoes, and empathize by communicating how challenging it can be, then you’re on the right track.  Technology and the fast pace of continuous change is also an area that breeds insecurities for older workers, and therefore another opportunity for empathy. 

Collaborate, Collaborate, Collaborate

It’s a fact that different generations have different values and skill sets.  For example, younger generations have technological abilities that far surpass their older counterparts. Older generations feel insecure about technology and their abilities to embrace it. Some feel a risk of being made redundant and for that their confidence could use a boost. By respecting their knowledge and experience, they can feel valuable and indispensable, which will assist with collaboration and engage them to feel important in the way forward.  

Younger often means less experience, although many younger colleagues have education degrees that provide very relevant and current information.   

If you’re a new manager, you’ll want to help people understand that business will continue as usual, at least for the time required to seek to understand people’s roles, and to build relationships for good communication and collaboration, rather than posing a threat to their job security. 

One of the most important ways to mitigate conflict is to recognize that the feedback that you’re getting is about work and to not take things personally. Remember to bring your Q-TIP to work (Quit Taking It Personally). 

Respect is garnered by understanding and accepting the character traits of each other. For example, the older generations admire hard-working, productive, team players, and mentorship.  By attempting to acquire similar values, you’ll be closing the gap as a young manager and becoming more balanced between the characteristics of bringing the positives from the older generations and weaving them into some of the values of embracing technology and work-life balance that younger generations admire.   

In summary, an attitude or intention of meeting somewhere in the middle where you can empathize with and learn from those in the older generations and help them learn and emphasize with you. By recognizing that none of us is as smart as all of us, and the best workplace generation is … all of them combined, you’ll be well on your way to managing and building successful relationships with the older generations in your workplace.  

If you can’t find your way, call Penny Tremblay, because the high cost of conflict is avoidable and profits can be used for better things. 

Penny

P.S. In case you missed any of them, here are the other posts related to this series:

• Collaborating In A Multi-Generational World
• Collaborating In A Multi-Generational World (Part II)
• Managing The Multi-Generations
• Retention and Remote Work in a Multi-Generational Workplace
• Engagement Across the Generations

Resources: 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielmarlin/2017/10/30/3-ways-millennials-can-gain-respect-from-older-co-workers/?sh=5b3449833a0e 
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/093015/how-get-boomers-millennials-working-together.asp