The Generation Game

Do you have a mix of ages across your team?  Whatever title you want to give the diverse generations of people you work with is irrelevant. The reality is that each generation is different and potentially they need managing slightly differently. Each generations outlook on life and work differs for lots of reasons:

• Changes in the way people bring up their children 
• Changes in teaching methods at school
• Society has changed
• Advances in technology
• The dreaded social media!

I’ve heard so many managers who are around 40 years old and upwards talk about managing people who are 19 – 25. I can’t say what they call them but it’s not always complimentary! They talk about how the ‘youth’ has changed.

• They are more demanding
• They think the world owes them a living
• They want everything now
• They are always asking why!

My generation was one of ‘do as you’re told’ and ‘speak when you’re spoken to’.  I took this mentality into the world of work.  A lot of my generation are now managers and struggle with people not mirroring their own mentality.

I sense their frustration when they are talking about them.  However, they are fighting a losing battle.  Gen Z (1997-2012) aren’t going anywhere, so maybe it’s time for managers to adapt to the different generations of people they work with. Embrace their outlook on life, the way they challenge, their desire to not settle for a ‘job for life’ and to explore and try new things.

Personally, I do think all of the generations cross over and it’s far to simplistic to categorise people, but I do think it’s something you can’t ignore and certainly as a manager you can’t lose sight of.

One more thing – the next batch are on their way – Gen Alpha (born 2013 – 2022). It won’t be long before they are venturing into the world of work, and it’ll be time to adapt once again 😱