Karen Perham-Lippman, CDP, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Otis Worldwide Corporation and Ph.D. candidate Eastern University.
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Worldwide, people are living longer. Several factors contribute to higher life expectancies, such as advances in healthcare, a greater emphasis on nutrition and people staying physically active as they age. These things have helped mitigate or prevent chronic diseases that are leading causes of death, like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
By 2030, the number of American adults aged 65 or older is expected to reach 72 million, accounting for 20% of the population. This is significant because research also indicates older Americans are working for longer periods and dedicating more time to their jobs compared to previous generations. In fact, the International Longevity Centre UK predicts that by 2040 employed individuals over 50 will represent 37% of the U.K. workforce. This trend is not only financially motivated but also linked to the benefits of social engagement and staying mentally and physically active.
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting demographics, the concept of intergenerational leadership may serve as a key factor for organizational success.
What is intergenerational leadership?
Intergenerational leadership is based on the idea that each generation has something valuable to offer each other and the workplace. This requires actively considering each generation's needs and characteristics to foster meaningful connections and engagement between them. Intergenerationally minded leaders encourage cross-generational partnerships, mutual respect and continuous learning. They also promote equality through horizontal leadership, rather than hierarchies.
A vivid example of intergenerational leadership and its transformative role comes from the UN Women's 2020 Generation Equality Forum, which emphasizes youth leadership and intergenerational partnerships as crucial drivers for achieving gender equality. The forum showcases how the contributions of the younger generations, when combined with the experience of advocates and visionaries of all ages, can create impactful solutions for a more equal world. This initiative highlights that sharing power across generations can help ensure an equitable agenda for all.
The Benefits Of Intergenerational Leadership
Organizations that prioritize intergenerational leadership stand to benefit in numerous ways.
• Improved Problem-Solving And Decision-Making: Leveraging the diverse perspectives and experiences of different generations can enhance teams' and organizations' ability to solve complex problems and make better decisions.
• Increased Innovation And Competitiveness: By harnessing all generations' diverse talents and strengths, organizational leaders can boost innovation and competitiveness in the market.
• Enhanced Inclusion And Engagement: By fostering a culture that values and respects generational diversity, organizations can cultivate inclusive workplace environments.
How To Practice Intergenerational Leadership
As multiple generations coexist in the workforce, organizations must be able to harness the benefits of this diversity. By fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and collaboration, leaders can leverage all these unique experiences and perspectives. Here are some tips to help you become an intergenerational leader.
• Understand Your Workforce: Recognize and value differences and similarities among generations. Avoid stereotypes and generalizations, and treat each individual as a unique person.
• Increase Collaborative Opportunities: Encourage and facilitate cross-generational collaboration within teams and for projects, tasks and initiatives. Provide clear goals, roles and expectations, feedback and coaching. Celebrate achievements and learn from challenges.
• Foster A Growth-Focused Culture: Promote a culture of learning and mentoring. All employees should be able to share their knowledge, skills and experiences formally and informally to exchange feedback, insights and best practices.
Challenges To Monitor
Intergenerational leadership isn't always simple. Generational differences in values, behaviors and communication styles, as well as biases and stereotyping, can lead to internal conflicts. These can stagnate organizational progress, innovation and problem-solving. Considering people's perceptions of generational differences often don't match reality, it's vital to ensure these flawed views aren't inhibiting your organization's ability to succeed.
Conclusion
A multigenerational workforce presents unique challenges and opportunities, demanding that leaders navigate perceived generational differences with empathy, flexibility and a commitment to inclusion. Thus, intergenerational leadership is becoming a necessity for organizations aiming to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing world. By embracing generational diversity, you can cultivate a culture rich in innovation and inclusivity. As we look to the future, the principles of intergenerational leadership will be key for developing strategies that are resilient, forward-thinking and adaptable to the needs of diverse global workplaces.
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