Much is written about the workplace generation gap and the difficulties that can occur because of differences in attitudes, beliefs, outlook, behaviors, and opinions of younger versus older generations. The majority of the workforce is made up of three different generations, including the baby boomers, Gen X, and the millennials. While there are likely to be challenges with these groups working together, there are also advantages as each group brings its strengths to the table.

Competitive Team Players

Known for being the least tech-savvy group, baby boomers are competitive and thrive on recognition and rewards while being resistant to change. However, boomers are also the most committed of the three generations, tend to work overtime, and are generally known as workaholics. The biggest strengths of this group include being team players, working well with others, and being great mentors to colleagues and junior workers.

Balanced Sandwich

Generation X is sandwiched in between the older and younger generations in the workplace generation gap and values getting work done quickly as opposed to working overtime for perfection. The majority of workers in this generation are unhappy with senior management but are not likely to speak up when they disagree with them. Despite all of this, Gen X is considered to be the biggest revenue generator and is believed to have the best workers. This group also desires a good work-life balance from organizations.

Impatient Creativity

Being a team player is not high on the priority list for the millennials group. Known to be impatient with career growth, almost half of this group may leave if they feel the organization is not doing enough to develop their skills. Millennials are interested in the ethics and social responsibility of the organizations where they are employed and are the most independent workers of all three generations. They are creative and, having grown up using technology and sourcing their own information, work best if left to develop their own processes rather than receiving detailed instruction.

Differences in behaviors, opinions, attitudes, and other attributes of the generations can cause some problems in the workplace just as they do in personal lives. Understanding the strength of each generation while minding the weaknesses can help organizations work through challenges and capitalize on the advantages each group contains. Much productive and meaningful work can come from fostering the positive attributes of each generation and preparing for the next one to come.