Show notes
Employers and people leaders across industries are facing the same challenge at work. How do you lead a diverse workforce well?For the first time in history, there are five different generations in the workplace—Silent, Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z. And each generation has a fundamentally different experience of the world, leading to competing expectations of the employer. How can leaders demonstrate care and respect for all of their employees when they experience the same work environment differently?In this episode of How People Work, Jordan and Jason discuss how leaders can meet the competing needs of today’s employees without neglecting any one group.They’ll answer questions like:How do our employees want to be recognized?What incentives will motivate each generation?How do employees define wellbeing and why does that matter?Key ideas and highlights:Currently, Millennials and Gen Z make up 35% and 7% of the workforceBy 2030, Millennials and Gen Z will make up over two-thirds of the workforceRewards and recognition programs need to be tailored to the different expectations of each generationShowing appreciation to a Millennial in the same you would you show appreciation to a Boomer is likely to offend rather than inspire that employeeThe experience of the world is fundamentally different for each generation.Employers who aren’t aware of these differences will struggle to acquire and retain top talent.“Companies are grossly unprepared to handle the generational shifts about to take place over the next 5 years. The experience of the world is fundamentally different for each generation.”— Jason MurrayWord of the day: AmeliorateChapters:(0:00) Intro(1:18) What are the five generations in the workforce?(3:06) What the workforce will look like by 2030(3:56) The radically different expectations each generation has for their employer(5:10) Why many recognition programs do more harm than good(7:16) What each generation has in common at work(17:18) How to lead all 5 generations well(22:50) What happens when you view work as the enemy(24:18) Why “work-life balance” is a ridiculous false dichotomy(26:30) What we stand to gain if we think of work as play(27:30) What work, camping, and sports have in common(29:05) What language trips up leaders and silences employees?(33:28) How leading out of fear vs. trust will inform your talent strategy
