The Genius of Generational Diversity

by Tom Donaldson | Dec 19, 2019 | Coaching, Collaboration, Teamwork

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The Genius of Generational Diversity

In May of 1992, I joined Microsoft Corporation in the Customer Service and Support division and began a great career that continued for over 20 years. There were 45 of us who started on that same day here in Las Colinas (Dallas) Texas. One of the things I immediately noticed was a bit of an age offset between me and most of my coworkers. At the time, I was 43 years of age, and most people in my training class seemed to be more like 23.

Fast forward to this week. I spent several hours yesterday with a young man who is a graduate student at the University of Texas at Dallas. Through a Christian ministry organization on the campus, we have become “Friendship Partners” with several international students. Akhil is from India and is 23 years of age, which bears a striking relationship to my early Microsoft days. The big difference is that I am no longer 43! (Full disclosure—I hit 71 in September…)

When I was “only” 43, it was curious but pleasant to be thrown in with younger folk who had a lot of energy, high hopes, and genuine excitement to be a part of Microsoft in those days. Many of them continued as colleagues over the years, joined by fresh faces, often newly minted with college degrees. I learned a lot from these younger gals and guys that has made me value generational diversity, no matter where it may occur. I want to share some benefits of multiple generations working together in the workplace, or any other organization.

Each generation has a unique set of experiences and expectations.

Society and culture are influenced in multiple ways, unique to each period in history (read: decade) and at an increasingly fast pace. Some experiences have a similar weight. For my generation, we might ask, “Where were you when Kennedy was assassinated?” For my daughter’s generation, the question might be, “Where were you when the Challenger space shuttle blew up?” For all of us, we can ask, “Where were you on 9/11?” These often tragic, newsworthy events jolt us in a similar way, sometimes drawing us together, and always making us clarify our most important values. Speaking of which…

Each generation brings value to the world and to the workplace.

Some say that we Baby Boomers have wisdom borne of our experience. This may be why many coaches are Baby Boomers. We learned patience and perseverance as we climbed a ladder to success and significance. Gen Xers seek authenticity and realism. They have perspective to determine the pros and cons of a situation. They work on their own terms and value steady, honest feedback. Millennials bring confidence and energy to teams and groups. They are optimistic and tech-savvy, and they are aware of the power of influence. Gen Z (those 22 or younger) are entrepreneurial, competitive (read: impatient!), have a welcoming attitude toward change, want to be heard, and prefer independence (corporations should probably rethink those open workplaces with no walls or cubicles…)

People of different generations have much to teach each other and learn from each other.

When teams and their leaders understand and value the differences and unique benefits of each generation, a wonderful synergy and balance is possible. In my observation, our younger generations have a genuine interest in the perspectives and experiences of older colleagues. When those of us who are older respect and listen to younger colleagues, in the context of shared values and outcomes, we can learn new resources and techniques for achieving goals. What this really adds up to is “two-way mentoring” between members of contrasting generations. The bottom line is that multiple generations make teamwork essential, and only the truly cohesive teams will succeed.

Back to my young friend… I have been amazed at the depth of his professional and personal goals, his intentional focus on friends and family, and his poise through interaction with people of various “ages and stations in life.” I am inspired to be more intentional and focused in my goals for the coming year… and decade. Most of all, I have a renewed assurance about the competence of the generation who will inherit responsibility for the world.

When I think about friends who are 20, 30, or 40 years younger than me, I often say, “I just want to be like when I grow up!” J Who is a cross-generational friend or colleague that you admire?