How to Manage a Multi-Generational Team

Harvard Business Review, August 31, 2021

When we fundamentally can’t relate to someone due to age gaps, we often resort to using harmful stereotypes (snowflake, OK boomer, etc.) and blame solvable problems on each other instead of working to understand the differences that distance us.

In reality, what we value is often influenced by events completely out of our control, dictated by our experiences at the beginnings of our lives and careers. Each generation entered the workforce under certain conditions, which helped to shape our sense of purpose, our preferences, and our drivers for success.

To get guidance around how we can move past our differences to realize the many benefits of cross-generational work, I spoke with Megan Gerhardt, Ph.D., director of leadership development at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business and author of Gentelligence.