There’s never been a time in history like today where four generations have worked together alongside each other. As a team leader, that can present you with many challenges since your team could be comprised of older Traditional and Baby Boomer generation members right alongside Generation X and Y team members. If you don’t manage the relationships properly, the generation gap between your team members could seem as large as the Grand Canyon.

Here’s the problem. Younger team members often think the older ones are way too stodgy, rigid and stuck in their way of doing things. Older team members think the “new kids on the block” should pay their dues, hunker down and work hard, and quit expecting to be thanked just for showing up at work.

How do you find a happy medium and use the strengths of your team members to accomplish your team goals? Understanding what they want will go a long way in helping you make everyone a star. [Read more...]