Avoiding generational stereotypes in the workplace. How can people from different generations work well together?

What happens when we are quick to make generalizations about groups of people? Normally, these inaccurate ideas thrive when we have little to no contact with them.

In recent times, the US as a society is becoming more segregated by age. Young and old people have fewer interactions in their communities that connection and understanding between different generations weaken and misunderstandings strengthen.

What happens in “intergenerational warfare”? 

In 1928, Karl Mannheim, a Hungarian sociologist, came up with the theory of generations. He said that people who were born in the same generation were shaped by the social conditions and historical events of their time. 

Truly, the social, political, economic, technological climate has evolved, and the different generations from the Silent Generation, born between 1928 and 1945, Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964),  Gen X (1965 to 1980), Millennials (1981 to 1995); Gen Z (1996 to 2012) and Gen Alpha, born since 2013 adapted to the environment they grew up in. 

However, our consciousness, perceptions, habits and way of life are not merely from the generation we were born in, but they are a product of our human complexity and personal experiences. 

Thus, when different generations are ascribed with common traits, which are merely generalizations that are not representative of who we truly are, it results in harmful beliefs that cause misunderstanding, disconnection, and even division. 

In the workplace, “intergenerational warfare” means:

• Not giving equal opportunities to people in different generations to be hired because of negative stereotypes against their generation,
• Failing to assess and integrate strengths into team work,
• Making assumptions about each generation’s needs,
• Preferring only specific generations as part of the workplace thus preventing diversity,
• Not recognizing diverse perspectives and experiences.

Why is it easier to form generational stereotypes? 

• We have a tendency to choose simplistic explanations instead of inquiring in detail. A question that can help us understand other generations can be, “What challenges has this generation struggled with during their time?”

• We have cognitive biases. It makes us use faulty reasoning that does not follow logic, reasoning and plausibility. Because of this, we judge, make decisions based on our biases and act aligned with them.  

How do we avoid generational stereotypes in the workplace? 

• First, be aware of the common stereotypes for each generation to identify which generalizations we currently believe about them. There are so many stereotypes, but here are some of them. 

• Baby boomers: Optimistic, likes teamwork and cooperation, ambitious, are workaholic, not open to learning new things
• Generation X: good managers, best workers, resistant to change, lacking technological proficiency, poor team members  
• Millennials: enthusiastic, tech-savvy, independent, socially responsible, lazy, unproductive, self-centered
• Gen Zs: adaptable to change, good at multitasking, no loyalty, cynical  

• Take time to learn the truth about each generation, consider that each brings with them assets, skills, and experiences that are crucial for workplace success, and use the knowledge to create more equitable hiring processes, training and skills enrichment programs to deal with possible skills gaps. 

• Create opportunities for intergenerational teamwork and collaboration. This way, companies can leverage experiences, knowledge, and creative thinking. The workplace becomes more diverse, and strengths are valued. 

• Assess actual skills rather than relying on stereotypes and assign roles based on skillset to give each more opportunities to solve company problems and a sense of purpose. 

Being rigid about our approach in hiring, retaining and working with intergenerational teams can be counterproductive and harmful in workplace productivity and resilience. 

When we understand that we have more things in common than the things that divide us, we find top talents that we would have overlooked without challenging our stereotypes. 

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