Conflict at Work: Is It a Generational Thing?

The workplace is now staffed by four generations: the Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z. Each generation is different in terms of their points of view and ways of working. Their differences are often framed as negative—Millennials are entitled job-hoppers, Gen Z is constantly on their phones, Boomers are resistant to change.

Everyone's an individual, of course, and stereotypes only tell a small part of the story. But generational divides are a real phenomenon, and one that can lead to conflict and misunderstandings if you don't approach each other with curiosity, not judgment, to understand where your coworkers are coming from.

Baby Boomers - Hardworking and Traditional

In multi-generational work environments, Boomers are likely to occupy positions of seniority. From their perspective, they earned these positions through hard work and commitment, not because they’ve been around longer than anyone else. Boomers believe that hard work pays off.

People in this generation are known for their competitiveness and independence. They prefer to rise to the top through their own efforts rather than relying on teammates to make them look good. But they tend to be generous with their hard-earned wisdom, and they respect people of any generation who demonstrate ambition and a willingness to learn.

When Boomers run into conflict at work, it is usually because they feel they’ve been overlooked, written off, or treated with disrespect. Boomers often place a high value on the organizational hierarchy, and they don't like it when their experience is ignored or dismissed as outdated by younger people who think they have all the answers.

How to work with a Boomer

• Show respect for their experience and knowledge.
• Be open to their advice and guidance.
• Avoid dismissing traditional methods outright.
• Establish trust by demonstrating reliability and commitment.
• Be clear and concise in your communication.
• Collaborate effectively by valuing their feedback and ideas.

Generation X - Independent and Adaptable

Sometimes referred to as the "latchkey" generation, Gen X grew up in a time of economic downturn and societal changes. They are known for their independence and adaptability, having learned to fend for themselves from an early age.

Gen Xers are laid back and easy to get along with when they're able to set their own schedules and control their working environments. They like to receive clear instructions, and then be left alone to work with as much autonomy as possible. Try to micro-manage them, doubt them, or second-guess them, and you'll quickly see their rebel streak. They dislike the attitudes of autocratic managers of any generation, and they can become impatient with younger co-workers who seem disorganized or poorly prepared.

Gen Xers like working for and with professional people who get the job done in a low-drama environment. This is the first generation to truly hold their work-life balance, and they likely will clash with other generations who prioritize work over personal life.

How to work with a Gen Xer

• Give them space and autonomy to work independently.
• Provide clear expectations and goals.
• Avoid micromanaging or second-guessing their decisions.
• Be open to flexibility in work schedules and arrangements.
• Offer advice in small doses, and make sure it's actionable, not a veiled criticism. 
• Make sure expectations are reasonable – they will rebel against unrealistic demands.

Millennials - Collaborative and Tech-Savvy

Millennials are energetic and enthusiastic, especially in team-oriented workplaces where employees in all roles are encouraged to be innovative. They are extremely comfortable with technology and remote work, and they appreciate being given the flexibility to get things done in any way they choose.

More so than their older co-workers, Millennials expect their achievements to be recognized by their employers. They want praise for their efforts and take it as a personal criticism if they aren't given positive feedback. They also want to advance quickly in their careers and are not afraid to ask for promotions or seek new opportunities elsewhere.

Like Gen X, Millennials generally refuse to let their jobs get in the way of their family and personal lives. This is not due to a lack of commitment. Millennials are driven by the desire to get good results but want to do it on their own terms, not their employer's.

How to work with a Millennial

• Compliment them for their achievements.
• Acknowledge their contributions, no matter how small.
• Provide opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
• Understand that they value a work-life balance.
• Make sure expectations are clear and manageable.

Generation Z  - Innovative and Resourceful

The newest generation in the workforce, Zoomers bring abundant energy, creativity and fresh perspectives to the table. They grew up in a world of social media, smartphones and on-demand services, making them natural multitaskers who are skilled at finding solutions to problems in non-traditional ways.

Interestingly, Gen Z values developing friendly face-to-face relationships with their co-workers and managers even more than Millennials or Gen Xers. Despite growing up with technology—or perhaps because of it—they crave more personal interactions in the workplace.

When Zoomers run into trouble in the workplace, it is usually because they don't like dismissive attitudes of older colleagues. Gen Z are not tied to the corporate hierarchy at all, and they're uncomfortable with people who patronize or stereotype them as too young and inexperienced to know much. This generation has a lot of their identity tied up in their work, so they need to be taken seriously.

How to work with Gen Z

• Show respect by having bi-directional conversations – make sure their voices are heard.
• Allow them to use their preferred technology as a tool in their work.
• Enlist their problem-solving skills and co-create with them.
• Show empathy for the challenges they face being new to the workforce.
• Create an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Support them to be their best professional and personal selves.

Generation is just one layer of workplace dynamics

While understanding generational differences can be helpful in navigating workplace interactions, beware of using it as a catch all for individual behaviors. Every person is unique and may not fit into the typical traits of their generation. In fact, Truity has found that while most people align with the values of the generation they were born into, as many as one in five are outliers who identify more with the values of a different generation. If you're curious about that, our True Generations test will help you explore that further.

Bottom line? Different is good. You all have to get along with each other, and generations is another tool in your toolkit to help you do exactly that.