Heterogeneous teams tend to have greater potential than teams whose members are very similar to one another. This rule also applies to age. Having people from different age groups enriches any team in many ways. In a multigenerational team, experience that comes with age intersects with creativity that comes with youth, which makes the team as a whole more diverse and better able to face various challenges that may arise in the future. Yet how do you maintain the integrity of the entire group and good relationships among colleagues when there are age differences?
Support for collaboration
According to Forbes, it is important not to separate younger and older colleagues but instead strive for their maximum integration. First, it is advisable not to divide colleagues into separate offices by age, thereby creating quasi subteams separated by age. Ideally, everyone should work together in one office or open space, although the arrangement naturally depends on the size of your team.
It is equally necessary to hold joint meetings and briefings. Address the entire group as a whole and seek to unite the team in pursuit of a shared objective. Similar motivations usually help overcome differences among colleagues, including age differences.
Knowledge sharing and mentoring
Both youth and age bring their own advantages and disadvantages. Everyone can teach others something they know and can learn from others in areas where they are less experienced. Open dialogue among colleagues and actively encourage them to exchange views, experiences and skills in a constructive way.
It is often younger employees who need intervention if they show a lack of respect toward older colleagues. It is essential to make clear that showing disdain toward others because of age will not be tolerated in your team. Similarly, older employees may need to be reminded not to look down on younger colleagues due to their perceived lack of experience. As a team manager, you must serve as a moral unifying force and an example for others.
-mm-