Thriving in the Tri-generational Workplace

There is a scene in the 2009 film “Up in the Air” where 20-something Natalie (Anna Kendrick) says to 40-something Alex (Vera Farmiga), “You're so pretty. You're exactly what I want to look like in fifteen years.” Alex and Ryan (George Clooney) exchange knowing glances before Alex -- barely able to keep a straight face -- accepts Natalie’s awkward attempt at a compliment with a bemused, “Well, thank you.”

I found the scene poignant because every day I work with clients struggling to understand and work well with colleagues across three generations. Problems can arise from differing mindsets and communication styles, aggravated by new technology and work patterns that mix employees born in different eras. The good news is: this tri-generational workplace offers many opportunities from a personal branding point of view.  Your ability to understand and work well with older and younger colleagues will help you to flex your communication style for greater impact and influence.

THE PLAYERS

First, a quick disclaimer: experts disagree on precise birth year boundaries for each generation, so I’ve used some of the most common ranges I found. And, it goes without saying there are plenty of exceptions to any broad generalizations. One way you can build your own brand is by becoming an exception to your own generation’s perceived limitations.

Baby Boomers (about 46 to 64 years old now)

• Grew up with: a TV and a transistor radio
  
• Grew up without: laptops, cell phones, Facebook pages or email
  
• The stereotype: techno-dunces who value long work days over good work
  
• The truth: With the most highly-evolved interpersonal skills in the workplace, they know the value and art of building and maintaining strong business relationships.

Generation X (about 30 to 45 years old now)

• Grew up with: computers, cell phones and email
  
• Grew up without: a lot of supervision; often both their parents worked
  
• The stereotype: aloof and disinterested in being a team player
  
• The truth: Quite possibly the glue to the entire system. With their combination of tech savvy and workplace experience, they are in the best position to relate to both other generations.

Millennials  (younger than about 29 years old now)

• Grew up with: smart phones, social media and virtual friends.  Some of them were raised by over-involved “helicopter” parents.
  
• Grew up without: as much face time or fresh air as other generations, often spending more time at the keyboard than in person.
  
• The stereotype: spoiled and have a strong sense of entitlement
  
• The truth: They are quick to embrace and creatively leverage new technology. They can bring critically-needed fresh perspectives and new ideas to every team or task.

Brand yourself as cross-generationally comfortable

Secure in the knowledge that “different” is neither better nor worse, you can brand yourself as a leader by seizing opportunities to share your unique skills and strengths with colleagues who might be struggling in your area of strength or insights. Equally important is that you seize opportunities to allow those same colleagues to share their unique skills and strengths with you. Your business relationships will be strengthened by both the giving and receiving ends of your collaborations.

Tips for Baby Boomers

• Do the math. If your colleague or client was born in 1983, then your reference to the 1970s sitcom, “All in the Family” will fall flat. This happened to me once while giving a speech. It wasn’t pretty. 
• Be authentic.  Act and dress your age. There is nothing sadder than a baby boomer dressed like Beyonce talking about her BFF (best friend forever).
• Be aware. You may have grown up believing tattoos were for bikers, but according to Pew Research 36 percent of millennials over 18 have at least one. It doesn’t make them less competent or less credible.
• Cross generational faux pas: Avoid saying, “When I was your age,” or “We tried that years ago.” The first is condescending and the second marks you as old and not open to change.  
• Be savvy:  Focus on the results employees produce rather than on how they get it done. Don’t confuse character issues like immaturity, laziness or intractability with generational traits.

Tips for Generation X

• Do the math. Your millennial colleagues may act like they know it all, but they have not worked or lived as long as you have. You could become the best mentor a 20-something ever met.
• Be helpful. You are young enough to have a non-combative relationship with technology and old enough to have valuable work experience. Bridging the ravine between baby boomers and millennials could make you the most important member of the team.
• Be patient. What a millennial lacks in experience he or she might make up in creativity. What a baby boomer lacks in techno-wizardry could be more than eclipsed by advanced interpersonal skills and corporate savvy. You can learn from both.
• Cross generational faux pas:  Avoid saying, “Whatever” and never roll your eyes. These mark you as a perennial pouting teenager – a stereotype your generation must avoid.   
• Be savvy: While remaining authentically you, put yourself in the shoes of your senior management to speak their language.

Tips for Millennials

• Do the math. A colleague who grew up before laptops and smart phones, might prefer face to face and verbal communication to texting and tweeting.  Ask and honor their preference.
• Be respectful. Both generation Xers and baby boomers have a ton to teach you. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, rather, it can be a sign of respect. Take advantage of their experience.
• Speak up. You have fresh ideas and experiences your colleagues don’t. Sharing your strengths with older colleagues in ways that help them succeed can quickly earn their respect and appreciation.
• Cross generational faux pas: Your baby boomer colleague is not your parent and doesn’t want to be treated as such. Remarks like, “Oh, that’s so 1990s” can embarrass older colleagues and make them less likely to share their valuable experience with you.
• Be savvy:  While you naturally gravitate towards technology-based forms of communication, invest time in honing your conversational skills for building greater rapport and visibility.

Your Ace in the Hole

As I discuss in my latest book, “Taking the Leap: Managing your career in turbulent times and beyond,” communicating well always works, no matter the age of the person on the receiving end. If you are genuinely interested in understanding and working well with your colleagues and you communicate that, you are half way there.

Be sure to invest time in establishing commonality with the other generations.  In a recent coaching session I commented how handsome Paul Newman had been as an actor, in addition to his delicious salad dressings. My client subtly raised her eyebrows as if to say “Who is he?” Oops. I immediately explained that his looks were equivalent to Brad Pitt’s.  When that didn’t stir a response either, I realized I still have some research to do.

The generation you were born into may always define you in some ways, but it never has to limit you; respecting that about yourself and others will brand you as “generation-proof.”    

Are you fireproofing your career? Are you taking the right steps to promote your value? In my latest book, Taking The Leap: Managing Your Career in Turbulent Times...And Beyond (co-authored with Beth Banks Cohn, Ph.D.), we've taken all the old rules of employment engagement, shaken them up, and delivered a game plan with brave new rules. Taking the Leap is the ultimate post-recession guide to career success. A must-have for every stage of your career. To make it easy, you can now purchase it directly from my website at www.usheroff.com. You can also preview the book at http://www.usheroff.com/book_takingtheleap.html before you buy.

Reviewed by The Midwest Book Review:

Transitioning between careers can always be a rough and chaotic time. "Taking the Leap" is a guide to career changing when the job market isn't so facilitating to upward mobility. Filled with much valuable information for those faced with a chaotic fight through the career worlds, "Taking the Leap" should not be ignored for those shifting careers.

Able Greenspan