Age is just a number! The benefits of cross-generational teams.

In years gone by, it was common for just two age groups to be represented in the workplace. These were the longer serving, ‘dyed-in-the-wool’ old-timers and the ambitious younger newcomers. Times have now changed, and you can find yourself working with as many as five different generations today – as the number of people working into their 60s, 70s and beyond is increasing.

The different generations are loosely grouped as below, there is obviously a degree of flexibility with regard to the cut off years:

Silent Generation (born 1925 to 1945)

Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964)

Generation X (1965 to 1980)

Generation Y or ‘Millennials’ (1981 to the Millennium)

Generation Z (2001 to present)

Broadly speaking, each generation has its own set of preferences, styles, perspectives and experiences. Each one has a very different ‘life experience’ and a completely different relationship with technology. Some are ‘digital natives’ meaning they were born into a computerised or smart-enabled world, whereas some are ‘digital migrants’ who have learnt to adopt, and adapt to new technologies.

Here at MANDATE we have a team spanning the last three generations (ageing from 19 – 59) and with myself being the oldest (but still young at heart) - I personally feel that having a mix of young and more mature in the workplace works very well. 

I have to admit some of the things I have learnt during team chats over lunch and drinks I find rather amusing... Little did I know that ‘Grime’ is music not dirt, and ‘Sick’ means good not vomit. There is an app for most things – ‘I have an app for that’. Oh and ‘Fast Fashion’ does not mean models running down the catwalk. Something new which I heard recently is that ‘Ghosting’ does not have anything to do with Halloween or the supernatural.

This guy is learning something new every day and I love it. The explosion of generations and the fusion of different life experiences within our team creates amazing ideas and boosts creativity. This is because we all look at problems and briefs from different perspectives. It also massively helps with developing messaging and media targeting – again, due to cross-generational input.

Other benefits to working with mixed ages is the constant stream of fashion inspo! What to wear to work each day?  In my generation’s youth, brand name and ‘street cred’ were hugely important, and we were exceptionally materialistic in outlook when it came to our wardrobe. In my teens, 20s and 30s I had to wear the latest designer, or sports brand at that time - whether it was Calvin Klein, Boss, Adidas, Puma, Reebok etc. Today, brand name is not as paramount as it used to be in the style stakes. Our Millennial and Gen Z team members are more likely to want more-for-less and get it faster. There is less conformity in fashion today and I love seeing people’s individuality and styles expressed. This is where I gravitate to ask for advice on what to wear. I don’t want to look like ‘mutton dressed as lamb’!  So working with the younger crew keeps me young, bang on trend and that’s another reason why I love working with different age groups. 

Generational diversity has great potential. People from different generations can grow and learn from one another as they are exposed to vastly different, and at times opposing, ideas and experiences. The new perspectives they gain spark fresh ideas and prompt creative ways of working. Though there is the possibility that different generations could struggle to understand each other's values and working styles - but being a smaller business, I don’t feel that this is a problem for us. We have a truly dynamic culture at MANDATE based on embracing change, pivoting, reaction, proactivity and ongoing learning.

It doesn't matter how mature or how experienced we are - we all crave respect and this must be mutual across the different generations. And, just as newcomers joining a team need to respect seniority and experience - longer servers need to adjust to and welcome the talent, ideas and fresh approaches that younger teamies can bring to the party. Only when all age groups respect each other mutually can we all thrive.

I would like to think that our team also learn a bit about life from me as well. I remember when I was younger working with a lovely older guy (my old bosses’ father) who could tell some really interesting stories. We quickly became good friends and even though there was a 30-year age gap it didn’t feel like it. He was a such a laugh and great company over a beer or two. I learnt so much from him and many things that put me in good stead for today.

So, to round up, I believe that working with different generations is great for a company’s success, it drives morale, it is superb for idea generation, fantastic for the individual and I wouldn’t want it any other way.