From the Silent Generation to Gen Z, there are a lot of generations in the current workforce. But you may worry that multigenerational teams will experience friction, with everyone thinking their own way is best. In most cases, that couldn’t be further from the truth. They may be slightly trickier to manage, but teams that span the generations bring unparalleled benefits. Here are just a few.
Different Perspectives
While each person is an individual and should be treated as such, every generation is broadly shaped by its collective experiences. This highly diverse range of perspectives can lead to new ideas and unique ways of looking at business situations. In addition, different age groups tend to have varying areas of primary concern. For example, your Gen Z workers might have some ideas on how to make a product “cooler,” while your older team members focus on how to make it easier for seniors to use.
More Creative Problem Solving
The primary tools we use to solve problems have evolved over the years. Multigenerational teams have the benefit of a wide range of skillsets and life experiences. From business challenges to interpersonal conflicts, each generation has something to contribute in finding the best solutions.
Seamless Knowledge Sharing
Older workers eventually retire, taking their accumulated lifetime of wisdom and experience with them. Before that happens, though, working on teams with those who are just starting their careers gives them a chance to share their knowledge. Rather than reinventing the wheel, younger workers can benefit from those decades of hard-won life and professional lessons.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
Ultimately, your customers are a highly diverse group of people with individual needs. The more diverse your teams are, the better they will be able to anticipate and meet those needs. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction, increased brand loyalty, and a stronger bottom line for your company.
Managing multigenerational teams isn’t always easy. But the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. If your teams aren’t as diverse as they could be, consider making a commitment to change that this year.
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