To say that we have a multi-generational workforce today is an understatement. With 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring every day, most managers are now Gen X’ers. The Millennials are now the largest living generation, and Generation Z is starting to graduate from college and enter the workforce. 

We now have four generations comprising one workforce, but with four very distinctively different ideas of what it means to be a professional. Their values and experiences could not be more different.

We’ve gone from the Silent Generation that volunteered to fight in WWII and got medals for their sacrifices, to a generation that got participation trophies just for showing up. We’ve gone from fiercely independent Gen X that virtually raised themselves (“Latchkey Kids”) to a generation that wasn’t allowed to do anything by themselves because of Helicopter Parents.

The Baby Boomers’ blind careerism has been replaced by a generation whose focus is more on work-life balance. They expect to work shorter hours but reap faster rewards. 

Now comes Generation Z, which grew up in much scarier times than prior generations, experiencing things like the 2008 recession, school shootings, terrorist attacks, child abductions, and the 2020 pandemic before they even reached adulthood. They’ve seen more in their childhood than most prior generations experienced in an entire lifetime, and it’s greatly affecting the way they communicate, collaborate, and work.

Glenn explains how to get all four generations to work together as a team.