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Boomers are out of touch, Gen X is lazy, Millennials are entitled, Gen Z is too sensitive – these are just some of the stereotypes often referenced on social media, in the news and even in our own communities. This tradition of generational shaming isn’t new. In fact, studies have shown broad generalizations about each generation date back thousands of years.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of criticizing those who grew up in a different time than us, but our differences won’t go away. Today’s workplace contains five different generations, and the dynamics will continue to shift. In 2024 there are more Gen Zers in the workplace than Boomers. Employees are working long past traditional retirement age. Millennials are shifting into senior roles and Gen Alpha will enter the workforce starting in the late 2020s.
Working Better, Working Together
So how do we work on, well, working together better?
For starters, it’s important to recognize that experiencing intergenerational friction is normal. We may feel a sense of injustice after being criticized (avocado toast or OK Boomer anyone?), frustrated by different ideas about career growth and work/life balance, or simply find it difficult to understand different communication styles. Learning to accept these differences can help avoid a culture of unhealthy competition and mistrust and lead to generational gaps where people interact with those more like themselves.
To help employees learn more about working together cross-generationally, Northrop Grumman’s Generation 2 Generation (Gen2Gen) Employee Resource Group (ERG) was formed with the goal to bridge the gap between junior and experienced professionals and help promote greater understanding, communication and sharing between generations.
Robin Gaur, Gen2Gen enterprise chair, and Iesha Pankey, enterprise vice chair, both believe working together starts with curiosity and a willingness to share. Here are three things they encourage employees to do to increase understanding and facilitate knowledge transfer.
Question Your Assumptions. Don’t get caught up in cliches and generalizations. Instead of assuming someone will act a certain way because of their age, focus on understanding the person and how their unique experiences might shape their perspective.
Form Intergenerational Teams. Create project teams with a mix of ages. Diverse perspectives can lead to more innovative solutions and a deeper understanding of strengths. If you notice most of your project team is within the same age range, consider expanding.
Practice Traditional and Reverse Mentorship. Older generations have a wealth of knowledge and experience, while younger generations offer fresh perspectives and technology expertise. Establish formal knowledge-sharing programs, or informal coffee breaks and one-off “sessions” to share perspectives on a topic or challenging project.
Building Intentional Connections
Gen2Gen is all about giving employees a platform to connect with and learn more about each other, no matter what age or background. Amy Gawlik, vice president human resources and enterprise executive sponsor, shared her excitement about the ERG because, “It’s so relevant to the current employee landscape. The modern workforce now comprises five different generations of employees – Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z – each with a different set of experiences and knowledge to share.”
Focused on bridging the generational gap, “Gen2Gen makes a difference in the lives of our employees” she says, “Creating intentional connections for our multigenerational workforce promotes greater understanding, communication and learning between generations, which in turn strengthens our culture of belonging and collaboration.”
ERG members also share in the excitement for a people-focused community. Jacqueline Coble says, “It’s the perfect platform to connect, learn and grow through conversations and working with one another. It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who has been around the company 30+ years, or you’re here for the first time. There’s always something we can learn from each other.”
Getting Involved
Visit the Gen2Gen website to learn more about their mission and to join or start a chapter near you. Or if you’re looking for a simple way to start bridging the generational gap, consider asking a colleague, “What are some misconceptions people have about your generation?”. A simple question like this can spark enlightening conversations and build strong working relationships.
Written by: Caitlin OConnor and Mackenzie Reulein