The Future of Work is Intergenerational Teams!

What does the future of work look like for you?

With people living and working longer, the highly functioning intergenerational team is the future of success!? In fact, 89% of talent professionals agree that a multigenerational workforce makes their company more successful.? (GetSmarter.com ) Intergenerational teams take it a step further.? They are “multigenerational” teams that work closely together to maximize their differences.

Here’s how it works!

It all begins with an attitude of curiosity, a strong desire to learn why co-workers, especially those from other generations or age groups, have different perspectives and expectations.? An attitude of curiosity is the opposite of an attitude of bias or judgment, and it leads to understanding each other.

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When we understand each other, we begin to appreciate our differences.? We are better prepared to show empathy to those who think differently.? We move beyond generational differences and look at people as individuals instead of using stereotypes.? There is mutual respect and trust for each team member.

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When we trust the people we work with, we are open to other’s ideas, and we feel confident about sharing our own.? ?The team climate is positive, creating a safe zone for trying things that may or may not work.? There is room for conflicting ideas that push people outside their comfort zone and expand possibilities. This environment of positivity and trust eliminates the need for “concern about who gets the credit.”?? These expanded possibilities result in teams making the best decisions for the organization.? Everyone feels like their opinions matter; they feel included.

Feeling included, regardless of age or tenure, leads to greater involvement and engagement in the progress of the team and organization.? When people feel included, they take ownership of their contributions to progress.? They have a sense of accountability for their time and work.? There is a desire to cooperate and collaborate with co-workers.

Collaboration is extremely important in today’s competitive workplace.? With so many generations working together, collaboration means that each age group and individual uses their unique experience and skills to contribute to the overall success of the project.?? The collision of differing experiences and perspectives leads to greater innovation!

Innovation is a key competitive advantage.? It stems from creative thinking that challenges the status quo.? Innovation is an essential part of financial success, and one of the best ways to increase innovation is to bring together people from different generations who have different life experiences and perspectives.?? For innovation to truly be successful, there must be trust, a sense of inclusion and a culture of collaboration.? Companies who are innovative Thrive!

Thriving organizations are future focused.? They are expanding, growing and profitable.? They prepare their people of every age for leadership.? They harness the experience and wisdom of more tenured people and combine it with the fresh perspectives and ideas of younger people.? The members of the organization are working together toward a purpose or vision greater than themselves.? They respect and value their differences.? There is an ideology of curiosity that seeks understanding leading to trust, inclusion, collaboration, and innovation.

This vision of thriving prepares and propels organizations into a more successful future.? A future of greater success and prosperity with unlimited possibilities.?? Thriving organizations reward the members of that organization from every generation both tangibly and intangibly creating a positive culture that values curiosity instead of bias, along with understanding that leads to inclusion, collaboration, and innovation.? These organizations Thrive! The future is high functioning intergenerational teams.