What can a generational gap do?

Source: Flickr- Generation Gap _ xflickrx

Understand more about the current generational gap and how it plays a role in the formation of the workforce of a country.

In the market economy, modern work culture has grown to accommodate various dimensions of diversity including generational diversity. While this is beneficial as it brings in a wealth of experience, innovation and different angles of thinking, it poses some peculiar problems especially the situation of generational gaps. The significance of such competitiveness in promoting and sustaining the economy can be seen at the workforce level without any doubt.

Differences in values and ethics

One of the more visible effects of a generational gap in a workplace is in the workplace ethics and the value systems of various age groups. For instance, the older adults who fall within the Baby Boomers and Generation X classes have a tendency of placing great emphasis on loyalty, long-lasting employment, and traditional working practices of hard work and commitment. They may prefer flexible roles with organizations that allow hierarchy and are used to more orthodox communication.

That’s not the case with younger workers such as Millennials or Generation Z, who are very flexible, technologically capable, and strive for a work-life balance. They focus on what is engaging, offers flexibility, and the possibility of self-development rather than the terms of the employment. This dissimilarity may create conflicts and communication problems in the workplace because one generation will rationally evaluate the values of its counterparts as lacking justification or relevance.

Communication gap

As observed, generation gaps are also evident in communication styles which affect the interaction of team members. Where older workers tend to prefer face to face or phone and lengthy email conversations, younger employees seem to easily adopt trend such as messaging and social networks. This needs to be tackled carefully because differences in the ways one communicates can lead to frustrating situations.

Besides, the gap in technological proficiency can be a great factor in communication problems. Young employees who have grown in the digital world may get irritated at their older counterparts who are not well versed with modern technologies. On the other hand, older employees may feel lost or out of place due to the use of new technologies that they are not used to.

Knowledge transfer

Another area in which the generational gap tends to cut across is the transfer of knowledge and progression of innovation in the workplace. Cultivated over time and through experience, older employees are often well immersed in the organizational culture and possess vital knowledge to the organization. The caveat here is that where the gap persists without a concerted effort at building bridges across the generations, the knowledge in question may never be transferred to the younger generation.

Of the benefit, modernization often provides young generation employees into the workplace. It works well when tackled together and both parties come toward the aim of the workplace.

Workplace culture

Generational differences can also affect recruitment and retention strategies big time. For example, millennials and Gen Z are keen on purposeful work and work cultures that reflect the organization’s values. On the other hand, they are likelier to quit an organization that does not satisfy their expectations relating to self-actualization, work-life balance, or workplace environment.

Workplace culture is also fashioned by generations. Organizations that understand how to close the generational rift usually embrace an inclusive culture that respects anxiety. This promotes a constructive tension that creates a vibrant and innovative advertising workforce seeing that workers feel appreciated irrespective of the position they occupy in the company hierarchy.

National Impact

But more broadly speaking, the generation gap in the working-age population can determine the level of industrialization and economic growth of a nation. For instance, countries that have older populations have a problem when the older generation goes into retirement and there are very few younger workers to step into the productive roles. This forces organizations to contend with gaps in labor, higher burdens of expenses in social services, and subsequently, a slower rate of growth in the economy.

At the same time, countries with a comparatively younger workforce can benefit from a more dynamic economy but they have to make sure that there are more than enough opportunities for these people to get educated, trained, and employed. If the younger population isn’t catered to properly, there can an increase in the rate of unemployment, underemployment, and unrest. So, all in all, it is a double edged sword.

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