Talking about Generations

We knew it was going to happen eventually.  We just didn’t want to believe it.  We knew the day would come when Generation Y would lead the way, as our bosses.

Remember that movie “In Good Company?”

That movie totally predicted this sort of situation, although it did seem a bit unrealistic at the time.   I recommend it as a comic film as well as a glimpse into our future.

However, I have to say that I don’t feel the film does a very good job of depicting Generation Y.  The main character reminds me more of Generation X, but in the movie he supposedly belongs to Generation Y.

In the end, this movie isn’t just a movie.  It’s real life.  I watch my nieces and nephews, who haven’t even turned 30 yet, and are already becoming bosses and managers to Baby Boomers.   A lot of workplace conflict stems from the fact that each generation has a distinct perception of what constitutes a productive work environment.

Generation Y generally doesn’t believe in face-to-face meetings.  They feel that almost anything can be resolved through e-mail, video conferencing, MSN, or in rare cases over the phone (you know that old prehistoric invention, in which we waste time asking how the family is etc etc).

In complete contrast, Baby Boomers love face-to-face meetings.  In fact, they need them.  That’s the way the exchange ideas, and check the boss’ mood,

So how will these two generations coexist?  How will they produce and work in the same business organization in such distinctly different ways?   Will we be able to recognize and understand our different perceptions?  Will we be able to deal with this conflict?

If a face-to-face meeting has to happen, will Generation Y be able to handle it?  And if it doesn’t happen what will happen to the Baby Boomer’s necessity for it?

But wait, there’s more.  Just imagine your face, as a baby boomer, when your boss, conducts a meeting while keeping one eye glued to his or her blackberry.  Will you think it’s a lack of respect?  Or will you understand that Generation Y always uses PDA’s during meetings, as a way to boost their efficiency?

And what about you, Generation Y, are you aware that Baby Boomers were raised to give their undivided attention to the person in front of them?  Actually they don’t know how to do anything else besides pay attention to the person in front of them.   That’s why they think it’s a lack of respect when you address them and your Blackberry at the same time.

My message is this, if differences in perception aren’t put out in the open, everybody will end up feeling angry and disrespected.  This will surely affect employee motivation and productivity.

And what about you, HR manager, how do you deal with intergenerational conflicts at work?  Do you realize how these generational differences affect the corporate environment?   Do you understand that Baby Boomers may not respect Generation Y’s values and vice versa?   Do you know that young people feel more at ease because they have their whole career in front of them, and that older workers, are often fragile and worn out by the business world?  Are you ready to act fast while remembering that you are an HR manager in a time of economic crisis?

My advice for HR managers goes like this:  Understand how to improve your business environment, which is filled with the fear of layoffs, and overstressed employees balancing heavy workloads.

Work hard to maintain motivation by managing work conflicts without favoring one generation over the other.  A productive and peaceful coexistence between generations depends very much on you.

Tags: Baby Boomers, Generation, Generation X, Generation Y, Job, Movies