Bridging the Generational Divide: Embracing Curiosity and Civility in the Workplace
Written by Kristin Harrington
As I walked past a small group of people huddled near a pool this past weekend, I caught a few buzzwords from their discussion. The keywords “Millennials,” “entitled,” and “lazy” jumped out the most. As a Millennial, it piqued my interest. It became evident they viewed their Millennial colleagues in an unfavorable light.
This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered intergenerational conflict. As I tour the country teaching leadership, dealing with other generations in the workplace often comes up. Rarely is the discussion broached from a place of excitement. Instead, it follows a similar refrain to the pool—an all-around distaste for other generations.
We now have five generations in the workforce: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. From a technology perspective, we run the gamut from the introduction of early radios to smart devices and TikTok. Given such extreme differences in upbringings, it’s not surprising we see the world in starkly different ways. Yet, rather than embrace our chronological diversity, most of us run from it. We seek to “other” over intentionally connecting. We choose ourselves over choosing each other.
The power of curious connections has been increasingly on my mind. What if we leaned into curiosity in radically different ways? What if, instead of focusing on our differences, we sought to understand the unique experiences and perspectives each generation brings to the table? Here’s how we could lean into radical curiosity to bridge the generational divide:
Embrace civility. The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) recently launched its 1 Million Civil Conversations campaign to promote civility in the workplace. Through the campaign, they provide resources to turn disagreements into discussions and conflicts into opportunities, all in the name of civility. Access no-cost resources from SHRM to promote inter-generational civility here.
Start listening. You learn very little by only talking about yourself. By asking questions, listening actively, and valuing the insights of others, we transform inter-generational conflict into collaborative growth. Try flipping the model, embracing a curious approach to other generations. Explore what they value and why they value it with open-ended questions like “What drives your passion for your work?” or “How did your upbringing shape your perspective on the workplace?” You’ll find that curiosity leads to more robust, more innovative teams where everyone feels valued and understood.
Expand your network. Encouraging cross-generational mentorship programs can further bridge the gap. Pairing employees from different generations can foster mutual learning and respect. For instance, a Gen Z employee might teach a Baby Boomer about the latest social media trends, while the Baby Boomer can share insights on industry history and long-term strategy. This exchange enhances skills and builds relationships based on shared knowledge and respect. By embracing our differences and learning from each other, we can create a more cohesive and productive work environment.
Imagine a workplace where Traditionalists share their wisdom, Baby Boomers offer their experience, Gen Xers bring their adaptability, Millennials contribute their tech-savviness, and Gen Zers introduce fresh perspectives. Such an environment would not only bridge generational gaps but also harness the collective strengths of a diverse workforce. Creating a radically curious workplace where everyone thrives starts with each of us.