Managing Multigenerational Workforces

When addressing workforce issues, there are two extremes to avoid: over-simplifying and over-complicating your approach.

Let’s consider a topic that frequently comes up in discussions with leaders—managing multigenerational workforces. Here is a ‘quad matrix’ across current workforces, with some stereotypical descriptors:

In our experience, relying on such stereotyping is an over-simplification that can hamper authentic employee engagement. It fails to account for temperament differences within a generational grouping, and may inadvertently de-emphasise the common needs we have if we are to be productive human beings (e.g., the need for psychological safety).

Jennifer Deal, in her 2006 book “Retiring the Generation Gap: How Employees Young & Old Can Find Common Ground”, emphasised similarities rather than differences.

There is still some value in considering where people are at in their careers, and adapting accordingly.

In applying approaches to harmonising multigenerational workforces, organisations also need ?to avoid over-complicating the process by taking overly bureaucratic or “under the microscope” approaches. The true need is to identify the optimal approach for addressing your organisation’s unique challenges.

If you recognise this as your need, we at Quantum Leap Global can assist by working with you to integrate the blend of ‘science + craft’ needed to develop an effective people and performance culture.?

Contact us?for an obligation-free chat.?

Your partner in business success.

#success #multigenerational #teamculture #leadership