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Effective Executive Journal

Working with Different Generations at the Workplace: Challenges for Leaders

Article Details

Pub. Date	: Dec, 2019
Product Name	: Effective Executive
Product Type	: Coaching and Mentoring
Product Code	: EECM51912
Author Name	:Stephanie Jones, Parth Chauhan and Amirbahador Torabian
Availability	: YES
Subject/Domain	: Management
Download Format	: PDF Format
No. of Pages	: 08

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Abstract

A typical workplace can include four different generations, all working together. How can leaders deal effectively with them? Generation Z is just entering the workforce— these are the money-conscious, entrepreneurial and individualistic young first-level entry hires, born between 1997 and 2015. Meanwhile, Generation Y or Millennials— born between 1981 and 1996, and more keen on work-life balance—already make up a large proportion of employees. Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980 and trying to keep up with technology, are often in management roles, whilst Baby Boomers (born after the World War II—in the 1940s to 1960s), known for being workaholic and disciplined, are now either retired or on the point of retirement. What are the attitudes toward tasks at the workplace and what are the values and priorities of these generations, as employees or bosses themselves? These issues are among the challenges experienced by leaders in managing many aspects of workplace diversity.

Description

The diversity of the typical workplace poses many challenges to leaders and managers these days, especially in terms of different ethnicities and gender; but another and less-studied aspect can be that of different generations all working together. In this paper, we look at four different groups of people—based on generations—and analyze the different ways in which they can be motivated and engaged at the workplace. The focus is on how leaders can deal effectively with these different generations to get the best out of them. Generation Z (Gen Z) is just entering the workforce now—these are the young first-level entry hires born between 1997 and 2015. Meanwhile, Generation Y (Gen Y) or Millennials—born between 1981 and 1996—already make up a very large proportion of many employee groups. Generation X (Gen X)—born between 1965 and 1980—are often in middle and senior management roles, whilst Baby Boomers (born after World War II—in the 1940s to 1960s) are now either retired or looking at retirement in the next decade or so.