Fueling Workplace Innovation Through Cross-generational Fluency
Racepoint Global
At RPG, we shape conversations that matter for tech-forward brands.
This month’s issue of CTM is brought to you by guest editor, Amy Palladino . Amy is EVP, strategic services at Racepoint Global and leads our employee communications and change management practice, RPG Prism™.
It’s Global Intergenerational Week, a time to celebrate what can be achieved when people of all ages come together.
Why This Matters
In the workplace, an aligned and collaborative multigenerational team fuels innovation. With a diverse workforce, “companies can take advantage of unique viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences to push their business forward.” Success looks something like this:
“When individuals who entered the workforce before email can collaborate smoothly with those who were raised on memes and selfies, your business can bring more widely appealing products to market, craft compelling marketing campaigns to touch millions, and win love for your brand across the generational spectrum.” – Andrey Khusid, Miro’s founder and CEO
Yes, the diversity of experience that comes from having five generations working side-by-side is great for innovation. It also creates a challenge for your internal communications team. In fact, “communication styles often represent the greatest difference among workers from different generations.”
According to Harvard Business Review, “disconnects might be as simple as misunderstandings about vocabulary and emoji use across generations or generational preferences for communicating by email, messaging, telephone, and social media.”In a multigenerational workplace, communicators need to address up to five different learning styles, world views, and motivational drivers. For instance, whereas Boomers and Gen Xers might be motivated by recognition, Gen Zers need constant feedback and Millennials need a sense of purpose in their work.
Effective communication in today’s workplace requires cross-generational fluency. This is the ability to:
One size does not fit all when it comes to employee communications in a multigenerational workplace. Channels, formats, and styles need to flex to ensure your workforce is aligned, motivated, and inspired to innovate.
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Additional Perspectives
Gen Z and Workplace Communications
When it comes to workplace communications, only 32% of Gen Zers feel very equipped with the resources they need to thrive in the workplace. They expect workplace communication to mirror that of their daily lives: open, authentic, inclusive, and two-way.
Why it matters:
Gen Z is coming of age in the workplace. They are expected to overtake baby boomers in the workforce this year. And in 2025, Gen Zers will account for more than a quarter of the workforce.
Additional Perspectives
Employees from different generations come to the table with varying communications needs, styles, and expectations. We need to take the time to understand and address these differences. This will not only ensure deeper cross-generational alignment with our culture and strategy, but also unlock greater innovation.
Have questions about aligning your multigenerational workforce to fuel innovation at your organization? Reach out.
What conversations matter to you? Hit us up and we’ll dig a little deeper together in a future edition.
Bob Osmond , president, Racepoint Global