Millennials and Baby Boomers: The Dream Team – with Practice

By Alex Batty, MHI Marketing Communications Coordinator |@mhi_alex

So, I have a confession to make.

I am a Millennial.

*gasps* I know.

You probably already guessed that though. I also can’t spell Millennial (thanks, Microsoft Word), but that’s beside the point.

As a Millennial I’m on the entering side of the work force. We’re young and fresh faced and full of ideas (apparently). But we also have the Baby Boomers who are in the top dog positions of the companies we’re entering, and we’re like brand new, adorably enthusiastic puppies. We have very different lifestyles and outlooks on life simply because we grew up in two different worlds. So when working, sometimes we can clash.

Clashing is not good.

So how do we work through it? Well, step one is to be educated on the perception differences. There are a lot of stereotypes out there about both generations, but where do they come from? What’s actually going on as we clash? As I was researching for this post, so many things became clear when I looked at this chart:

Generational Differences Chart

For those of you who aren’t fascinated by the socio-cultural phenomena that drive our interactions (thanks, grad school), here’s a summary:

Core Values

Post-WWII America and the social changes of the 60s and 70s really shaped the baby boomers core values and thus their social interactions in the workplace. Very anti war and anti government, they don’t trust easily, but are team oriented and want to make the world a better place for their children.  Millennials tend to be more civic minded and tolerant, but their desire for fun can be a drawback in a workplace. However, they are often considered the most educated generation and bring a competitiveness and techno savvy that are real assets in a changing market.

Work Life Experience

Baby boomers tend to be “live to work” type people. They came out of a post war economy and were fearful of losing their position in the company if they took too much time off. On the other hand, Millennials are much more focused on work/life/play/community/self-development balance. For most Millennials a job can be fulfilling, but we’re making money to be able to do other things outside of work, so we’re “working to live”. Both generations have assets and weaknesses when it comes to a workplace environment.

In short, Millennials are full of potential: unwired work brains, laser focus when a cause is deemed worthy, digital nativism, and a desire for mentors. On the other hand, baby boomers have the experience: the ability and desire to mentor, the knowing of what works, and loads of intangible wisdom.

Step two is figuring out how to work with those differences. I’ve compiled some tips for working out those differences. See, you don’t even have to go looking for them. I’ve done the Googling for you.

Using Technology

Baby boomers aren’t used to new technology, so it’s important to remember to offer solutions that aren’t technology based. Sometimes you’ll find that old school is better. Whatever the solution ends up being, remember to keep the conversation constructive. Compromise is awesome and if they ask, or if it’s necessary, there are ways to optimize with new things without remaking their entire process. Remember when teaching them about technology to never say “This is so easy.” Baby boomers can have fear and anger about technology from past bad experiences, so you need to remember to be gentle.

Swap Skills

As much as I love my shiny new diploma that says I’m qualified to do things, I don’t know everything. Or even a lot of things. Yes, I’m knowledgeable and bring real skills and knowledge, but baby boomers have lots and lots of experience and can see patterns that we don’t even know exist yet. If we can learn to swap skills, everyone wins.

We love technology, but it may not be the end all be all for practical solutions. You could always use robotics and real time monitoring of magnetized tie downs to make sure that your new apartment furniture stays in the back of the U-Haul truck, or you could just get some rope and remember what my grandpa told me: “Two half hitches will hold the devil.”

Don’t get me wrong, I love me some technology and have the shiny new iPhone and touchscreen laptop to prove it, but it’s not the end all be all. Baby boomers have been in the business for a long time. You bring something to the table; they bring something to the table. Working together finds the best solution, which is ultimately beneficial for everyone and the company’s bottom line.

Have a Little Empathy (and Show a Little Restraint)

Remember, the world existed before 1990. There was a whole world and several social revolutions that happened before you were even a twinkle in your parents’ eye.

Previous generations *cough cough baby boomers* had to sit at their elders knee and listen to how things were dictated. They just had to grin and bear it until they became elders. Now that they are, the next generations aren’t waiting captive for them. I’m not saying that’s bad, Gen X and Millennials are making great headway, but we probably need to have a little empathy and remember that they put in all that work for seeming no reward.

“Millennials may find that baby-boomer self-esteem has declined precipitously in response to rapid societal change. It’s difficult to deal with that kind of emotional baggage when you’re trying to get work done, but a few solicitous questions go a long way. Imani Oakley advised, “Ask them how they did it — baby boomers love to be heard and admired.” April Quioh has noticed that her boomer colleagues have a “jones for humility,” so it’s best to display a willingness to learn from them.”

It may help you to remind yourself that you will be old and complaining about the next generation someday too. Or, if you’re like me, already complaining about kids these days.

It doesn’t have to be World War III when the generations work together. We all have different things that we’re good at, and Millennials can learn a lot while still pushing their companies forward into the global market and modernizing. If you as a Millennial feel undervalued, remember you may just need to add a little perspective to the situation.