How Inclusivity Leads to Success
By: K.M. Robinson
When companies are built around the knowledge and experience of employees from different generations working together, it can advance performance well beyond that of companies limiting their skillsets to those of one generation. One of the easiest ways to create a highly functional workplace is to diversify the workforce that collaborates within the business. By bringing an intergenerational group of minds together, companies can pull from the best of new methodologies, technology, and advancements, while sidestepping pitfalls and struggles that have come up before and allow them to leverage paths that were forged over the years with tested results.
When organizations promote age-inclusive workplaces, it not only fosters productivity but helps to create a more harmonious and fruitful environment for the people working there. Companies that spend time building an inclusive workplace that actively values the ideas and work of everyone on their team create a friendlier space that is not only willing to collaborate but thrives on it. When individuals feel respected and are given authority for their place in the organization, their work is often done to a higher standard to reflect their position of respect.
Utilizing the unique skillsets of the different age groups represented in a workplace elevates what an organization can do. Younger people bring greater knowledge of how to use and leverage technology, while older generations bring the benefit of experience through tried-and-true opportunities they’ve already been through. Combining the knowledge of different parties who have learned how to accomplish tasks differently means a balance can be found making work more effective and lifting the burden off of people handling tasks on their own by bringing their coworker’s experiences into the discussion and implementation of tasks.
“Each generation brings its own life and work experiences, strengths, challenges, work ethic, and expectations,” said Denise Scruggs, Interim Director of the Beard Center on Aging at University of Lynchburg. “A multigenerational workplace is not just a concept, it’s an ideal that brings numerous advantages. Research has shown that such a workplace is not only more productive but excels in problem-solving and creativity, thanks to the diverse perspectives and experiences each generation brings.”
As a former teacher, I was able to work with hundreds of young people who grew up with the technological advancements that were just starting when I was a college student. These young people had a far better awareness of how to leverage technology than I did even though I specialize in teaching technology now. Each day I worked in the school I saw how great an impact those young people would have on our community based off how they were learning to educate themselves differently, how they could problem solve using tools and resources older generations may not immediately think of, and the way their mindset was radically different than those of my and my parents’ generations.
Likewise, I’ve had the advantage of being mentored by those who accomplished what I wanted to do in life before I ever started. These men and women were able to speak into my life with such a strong experiential education that I was able to leverage what they knew to work powerfully and avoid common mistakes I wouldn’t have been able to see for myself without their guidance.
I’ve had the privilege of pairing people together from different generations to work on projects, and when their individual mindsets, skill sets, and educational sets came together, they were able to problem-solve much more efficiently, effectively, and quickly. Knowing what works and then putting a twist on it to make it faster and stronger was the key to successfully finding and implementing solutions that allowed us to move on to bigger projects.
Bringing fresh eyes to any project is invaluable for making the work stronger and taking less time to accomplish it. Regardless of what generation starts the work, bringing in a fresh set of eyes with a different perspective can revolutionize how that task is done within the organization.
“While understanding generational differences is crucial and we need to take into consideration the benefits and challenges each generation brings to the workplace, it’s equally important to recognize and appreciate each worker as a unique individual with their own valuable skills and abilities,” said Scruggs.
“This respect for individuality fosters a culture of inclusivity and respect, enhancing the overall workplace environment.”
Companies that limit their workforce to a specific age range limit their success. If a generation was taught only one way to problem solve for a task, finding a new way to approach it will be far more difficult without a new perspective. Different backgrounds allow for more fruitful conversation.
Cultivating companies with multigenerational perspectives impacts the success and drive of the individuals, the company, and the community they are working with. Inclusiveness comes in many different forms, and often age is overlooked when diversifying the workplace.
For those that put a focus on it, the results can speak for themselves.
