This document discusses the challenges organizations face with multigenerational workforces. There are more generations in the workforce today than ever before, causing a lack of generational awareness and differences in motivation that can lead to clashes. If not addressed, these generational differences can cause communication barriers and conflict. However, by embracing diversity and leveraging each generation's strengths, organizations can foster understanding, knowledge sharing, and inclusion to attract, engage, and retain employees of all ages.

1. Leveraging Differences Multigenerational Workforce

2. Today’s Workforce Organizations are struggling with the changes of the workforce. There are more generations in the workforce today than any other time in the United States’ history 10% 24.7% 34% 2 4.7% 24.7% 38.6% 32.1% Catalyst, Generations in the workplace United States & Canada (2011)

3. Overview How is this affecting organizations? Lack of generational awareness Differences in motivation Generational clash at work Disconnect among supervisors, subordinates, and co-workers Why does it matter? May lead to communication barriers that cause conflict within the workplace Leader/Employee Co-worker/Co-worker What is the solution: Organizations need to utilize the generation differences to create innovative results to stay ahead of the competition 3

4. Factors of Generational Differences The origin of these differences vary across all employees (not just generations) Origins of differences Generation Culture Values Norms Beliefs Gender Experiences 4

5. Cultural Differences Generational differences stem largely from a person’s upbringing. 5

6. Generational Differences Employees’ upbringings are vastly different and can be attributed to cultural factors. Additionally, cultural factors can cultivate differences within the workforce. Work ethic Feeling/reactions to organizational change Perceptions of organizational hierarchy Orientation toward workplace relationships Motivation 6

7. Work Differences Generational differences can affect the perception of work and boundaries Multigenerational employees bring different life experiences and frames of references to the workplace that influence how they perceive management and authority Please note that not every employee will fall into a specific category 7

8. Generation Gap These generational differences cause gaps through the organization, leading to a disconnect among leaders/employees and between co-workers Why is this a problem? 8

9. Not Addressed: How Does Addressing or Not Addressing the Differences Affect the Workforce Dynamic? Successfully Addressed: Needs are not being met Barriers in communication (across generations) Unrealistic expectations of others Distrust Exclusion Open communication Collaborative work environment Knowledge sharing Transferring of skills Trust Inclusion 9

10. Why Organizations Need to Embrace the Idea of Having A Multigenerational Workforce Attract, motivate, and retain employees based on the specific generational needs of its employees and the organization as a whole. Creates awareness and understanding for others’ points of view. When employees are better able to appreciate diverse perspectives they will work more cohesively together and increase the amount of knowledge shared and transferred. Employees remain engaged and productive in the workplace. Increase employee engagement  Heightened job satisfaction 10

11. How to Leverage the Differences to Benefit the Organization Provide resources to enhance generational strengths Each generation brings something of value to the workplace. Knowledge sharing and transferring of skills Mentoring programs Inclusion Multigenerational teams and task forces 11

12. Conclusion Generational awareness helps to foster an environment of understanding, respect, and inclusion. Companies that fail to adapt to societal changes risk stagnation, which stemsfrom being caught up in the “old way” of doing things. 12

13. Contact 13 If you would like more information or training on Multigenerational Workforces please check out our website at http://www.monarconsulting.com Follow us on Twitter @MikeMonar