You may proudly be looking at your team, consisting of a multigenerational workforce, thinking about all the opportunities they will bring to the table. But one crucial question may still be ringing in your head. How to find mutual ground and help them culminate together as a dedicated team?
In 2020, nearly a quarter of the workforce was taken over by Gen Z. Though this may just sound like data, it has a significant impact on employers and their management strategies. Each generation comes with its professional outlook and opinions. End of the day, it all comes back to how you manage the team effectively.
You have to find the balance or the grey area between these different generations and steer that in the right way to push them towards working together as a team. Here are some strategies that you can use to improve engagement among the employees.
Innovation and Improvement
To understand the nature and the demographic shift of today’s multigenerational workforce scene, you have to use data analysis, technology, and other best practices. Many employees are eager to improve their retirement readiness and financial well-being. In this case, you can offer them consultations with a financial advisor.
It will demonstrate that you are concerned about the employees’ issues and trying to help them plan their financial aspects. You should also engage with them mainly on topics that are relevant to them.
If you take younger workers, you can help them improve their financial scene by talking to them about debt management and budgeting. Similarly, when it comes to people in their 40s, you can talk to them about how to effectively manage their retirement funds. These will improve engagement and establish a good connection.
Be Open to Flexibility
Some employees need to change over the course of their careers. Millennials may want a flexible schedule to accommodate and work on their coursework or project. Some may look for an option to work from home because of personal health issues or other family obligations.
Even baby boomers during the end stages of their career may need to tone down or swap to a part-time role. To understand these situations, you have to be involved with the employees and help them through every stage of their career.
Respect Their Preferences
When it comes to a multigenerational workforce, each employee would have a preferred mode of communication and engagement. YouTube and Instagram are two of the popular social media platforms which keep the younger generation hooked. So you can make use of social media to engage the millennials.
But the same does not apply to the other generations. So you must make efforts to update yourself on the new developments and current trends in communication. It does not mean you should ignore emails, newsletters, and face-to-face meetings. Tailor the mode of communication that will cater to all the generations.
Encourage Collaboration
Employees from different generations have their equal share of insights and strength to share. You can encourage a collaborative culture for each of them to contribute and learn with each other. Exchange of innovations and ideas are pivotal aspects that drive the company’s growth and increase profitability.
So try to keep them engaged by introducing mentoring sessions and cross-training to the entire organization. Fresh ideas and experience will benefit the company well. Encourage cross-generational collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Push Development
Every employee will have their personal goals to achieve when it comes to working. No matter what stage they are at career-wise, you should ensure that you make efforts to know and understand their potential and goals.
If you take younger employees, they may have ideas to pursue post-graduation and any other educational courses. Those who are in mid-career may look for certification and online courses that do not take up much time. Everyone will be eager to explore the opportunities for lateral transition.
Unless you have regular in-person discussions about this aspect, you will not be in tune with them or understand their career needs.
Review the Company Policies
Check and review whether your company furnishes policies that are mindful and inclusive of the multigenerational workforce. If you find them awry, then make changes and update the policies with everyone’s preferences in mind.
Baby boomers may look forward to healthcare plans to safeguard their future; in this case, if you find this initiative missing from your policies, you can update it accordingly to engage them better. On the other hand, the younger generation looks for employee-friendly policies that incorporate constant recognition of their efforts.
If you want your company to be successful, you have to be thoughtful in coming up with ways to engage the multigenerational workforce. Focus on individual needs and potentials and use them to drive the team together to success.
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