Younger Managers; Older Workers
You can try these seven tips for better interactions with the older generations.
DOES your workplace suffer from a generational rift? If you're like the
majority of companies, the answer is yes. However, today's pressing concern is
no longer "how to manage the Generation X crowd." With the Gen X'ers now
entering managerial roles, today's biggest concern is how these new young
managers can effectively lead people their parents' age. According to the U.S.
Department of Labor, the number of workers ages 20-34 in the managerial category
increased from 4.8 million in 1994 to 5.2 million last year. And the rank of
young supervisors is expected to continue to swell as the 52.4 million people
who compose Generation X assume managerial roles.
At no time in American history have so many different generations with such
diversity in worldviews and work philosophies been asked to team up and work
together. One of the keys to understanding the generational differences that
exist is to know what the four different generations are and some of the basic
values each group holds. Zemke, Raines, and Filipczak, authors of "Generations
at Work," define the four generations working together as:
- Veterans. This group was born between 1922 and 1943 and includes about
52 million people. As one of the older generations, these people prefer
face-to-face interactions with supervisors over e-mail or voicemail, and they
place a strong emphasis on teamwork.
- Baby Boomers. This group was born between 1943 and 1960 and includes
about 73.2 million people. They were born during or after World War II and
raised in an era of extreme optimism, opportunity, and progress. Most Baby
Boomers grew up in two-parent households with safe schools, job security, and
post-war prosperity. Like the Veterans, they prefer face-to-face communication
and value teamwork over individual achievement.
- Generation X'ers. This group was born between 1960 and 1980 and includes
about 52.4 million people. They were born after the Baby Boomers into a rapidly
changing social climate and economic recession, including Asian competition.
They grew up with both parents working, rising divorce rates, downsizing, and
the dawn of the high-tech and information ages. At work, they can be fiercely
independent, like to be in control, and want fast feedback.
- Generation Nexters. This group was born between 1980 and 2000 and
includes about 69.7 million people. They were born of Baby Boomer and early
Generation X parents into our current high-tech, neo-optimistic times. They are
the youngest workers, but they represent the most technologically adept. They
are fast learners and tend to be impatient.
Keys to Effective Interaction
Knowing and understanding the
differences between the generations of people you work with is essential because
the interdependent nature of work today cannot succeed with the underlying
tension of intergenerational conflict. With the continual rise of younger
workers managing older workers, the young workers need to learn how to
effectively manage their older employees.
Young managers can use the following tips to avoid a disconnect and
miscommunication with their older employees and to gain their respect:
1. Be sensitive to emotional issues. As a young manager, you need to
be aware of issues that will upset your older employees. For example, if you
have a Gen X'er and a Veteran vying for the same promotion and the younger
employee gets it, the older employee will be upset. He or she will feel that the
company wasn't loyal to him or her. While the older workers realize the younger
workers may have excellent degrees, they question whether the younger staffers
know what they're doing.
When this happens, ask your older employees how they are feeling. Don't say,
"I understand how you feel," because they believe you cannot possibly understand
how they're feeling. Also understand that older workers may be resentful of you
because you're making more money today than they did their first 20 years of
working. However, by encouraging them to express their feelings, you'll forge a
greater understanding and respect between the generations.
2. Realize change is harder for older workers. Older workers may be
very set in their ways and resistant to change. For example, they may have
trouble if you implement new systems or ask them to use new technology they're
not familiar with. To help them get over this, explain the "why" of doing
things. By explaining "why" you need them to do something a certain way, you
open up the lines of communication. Use this open communication as a way to reap
the benefits of the insight your older employees can offer.
3. Understand and use the older worker's preferred communication
style. As a young manager who grew up with the technology of computers, you
probably prefer to communicate via e-mail. However, your older employees prefer
face-to-face communication. Older workers tend to view e-mail as cold and not
very relationship-oriented, so you should regularly schedule face-to-face
meetings with your older employees. Also, when you need to give them feedback,
get up from your desk and walk over to them to give it. Or pick up the phone and
call them. The more human contact you give them, the more respect they'll have
for you.
4. Be coachable. As a manager, you should be coachable and able to
take information from your older employees without feeling threatened by them.
Think of your older employees as internal consultants. Realize that they are
valuable assets to your company because of their many years of experience.
5. Know the difference between recognition and appreciation. As a
member of one of the younger generations, you probably prefer to be appreciated
rather than recognized. You are satisfied with a "Thank you" or acknowledgement
for something you did. However, your older employees will want recognition. They
want an outward sign of your appreciation, such as a plaque or an "Employee of
the Month" award rather than a simple "Thank you" or "Job well done." When you
give your older employees the recognition they deserve, they will be very
grateful.
6. Know your stuff. Knowledge doesn't come only from book smarts. It
also comes from experience. You have to work harder to appear knowledgeable to
your older employees because they don't think you have enough experience.
Knowledge is also one of the keys to creating trust. People respect people they
like, but more important, they respect people they trust. Regardless of age, you
always want to know your boss is trustworthy. So work on building that trust
between yourself and all of your employees.
7. Ask great questions. Don't be afraid to say you don't know
something. Always be open to asking your older employees questions. When you ask
questions, they will be less likely to think of you as an "arrogant, know-it-all
kid." Also, when you ask questions, ask open-ended ones rather than yes or no
questions. Use the magic of 3s. For example, you could ask, "What are the three
biggest challenges you are facing with this task?" Not only do you open the
lines of communication, but you also show that you care about how they are doing
on the job.
Managing for Success
As a young manager, you need to know and
understand the differences in the values and beliefs of the older generations.
Knowing how to manage older employees will help you reduce the
inter-generational conflict within your company, thus improving working
conditions and productivity. As a result, you will gain a greater respect for
your older employees, and they will gain a greater respect for you as their
manager.
This article appeared in the November 2005 issue of Occupational Health
& Safety.
This article originally appeared in the November 2005 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.