The generation gap is a topic that seems to be continually bounced around. Whether you’re talking about “Baby Boomers”, “Generation Y”, or even the latest “iGen”, we’ve heard it all before.
We all know that “Generation Y” are the trophy generation, right? They expect the world and move on if they don’t get it. Nothing like “Generation X”, or are they? Every day, in almost every workplace people from all generations exhibit a great many characteristics which are stereotypical of other generations.
Putting people into neat categories might sound fine, but it rarely works effectively. Theres a simple reason for that. Take everybody born in a certain year and label them “Generation Y”, treating them all the same in your particular generational management style. Some people don’t fit the stereotype, and won’t respond to the same style. It’s a little like taking everybody of a particular race and treating them differently.
Now obviously that;s not exactly the same, and it’s definitely not practiced. Why, then, is doing it based on age appropriate? Why should a poor performing, selfish “Baby Boomer” be treated any differently to a member of “Generation Y” with the same attitude? That’s not going to result in an effective workforce, and it certainly won’t be motivating anybody.
Instead of generalizing, treat people based on real, observable behaviours. Don’t slap them all with the same coat of paint and expect them to toe the line. People are, of course, individual, and they respond to being treated as such.