Managing Across the Generation Gap

Future entrepreneurs are more likely to work with people of all ages. An author on this topic discusses how they can do so successfully

by Karen E. Klein

Demographic studies show that entrepreneurs in the future are more likely to be working with people of all ages than they are today. Twenty-somethings may be supervising senior citizens who have delayed retirement. Baby boomers will increasingly recruit Gen Xers to form the backbone of their small firms (see BusinessWeek.com, 1/16/07, "Lure of Entrepreneurship Beckons Boomers"). How can members of various generations—whose outlooks and life experiences are so different—work together successfully? That's the subject of a new book, Bridging the Generation Gap (Career Press). Robin Throckmorton, owner of Strategic Human Resources, a Cincinnati-based HR consultancy, and Linda Gravett, a national speaker and human resources consultant, are the authors.

Throckmorton spoke recently to Smart Answers columnist Karen E. Klein about how new dynamics in the workplace can be navigated successfully. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow.

What kind of research did you do for the book, and what were your basic conclusions?

Linda interviewed 500 people in each of the four generations we identified, doing a random sampling of folks who had volunteered to participate. She did all the interviews face-to-face or over the telephone, rather than via postal mail or e-mail. Then we spent about three years sifting through the results and interpreting what people were saying.

Overall, we recognized that understanding how work ethics and upbringing have differed among the different age groups is the key to one generation managing another, or even just cohabiting in the cubical next door. It's not helpful for one generation to judge another, or to ask people from one group to conform to the expectations of another. It's never going to work. All the groups have to learn to adapt and work together.

The key to making communications, teamwork, and productivity successful between the generations is to both understand and respect the differences. The business owners and managers who do this in the future will be the ones to succeed.

What generations did you identify, and what are some of the key differences between them?

The "Radio Babies"—people born between 1930 and 1945—are retiring at a fast pace, but 63 million still clock in to workplaces everyday. Many of them are still energetic and enthusiastic about their careers. They want respect, inclusion, and they want to leave a meaningful legacy.

The baby boomers—born between 1946 and 1964—are still going strong, representing 78 million workers and business owners. They want respect for their experience and expertise, and even if some no longer want career advancement, they want challenging assignments, lateral moves, and respect for the dues they have paid. They tend to understand technology and use it comfortably.

The Generation Xers were born between 1965 and 1976. They are the smallest wedge of the pie, at 48 million strong. They are independent but will be loyal to an organization if it's willing to listen to them. They want bosses who are respectable mentors. Once they are won over by a boss or company owner, Gen Xers will be totally committed and dedicated to their jobs.

Believe it or not, the Generation Yers, born between 1977 and 1991, have surpassed the baby boomers in the workforce, with 80 million represented. This group is the "why-ers." You need to explain to them why they need to do something to ensure that they do it. They do not know a life before technology. They want to be treated with respect and make significant contributions to their organizations as they learn. They are not interested in waiting 10 or 15 years to pay their dues.

The youngest generation, the Millennials born since 1991, is just joining the workforce. They will continue to push for cutting-edge technology; for paid time off for them to engage in community activities; and for respect and recognition as the unique individuals that they are.