Now more than ever, the workplace is composed of several generations of workers. As a result, employers who tailor their management styles to emphasize the strengths of each group and minimizing the differences will get the most out of their staffs.

One article that has recently addressed this concept discusses workplace harmony among the generations.

The folks at The Twiga Foundation, a Boise, Idaho, nonprofit that focuses on family and workplace issues, have identified four generations of workers, each generally defined by their own characteristics.

Traditionalists (age 62 and older): Traditionalists are known for their dedication and sacrifice; a penchant for conformity; respect for rules and authority; putting duty before pleasure; and being disciplined about work.

Baby boomers (ages 43 to 61): Baby boomers, the largest of the four groups, are known for their focus on personal gratification but generally being optimistic.

Generation X (ages 29 to 42): Generation Xers are known for their self-reliance; being skeptical; having a work-to-live attitude and seeing work as a means for supporting their lifestyles.

Generation Y or Millenials (age 28 and younger): Millenials are known for their diversity, independence and being comfortable with technology.

While comfortable with the attitudes of our parents, we baby boomers do need to recognize differences in attitude among those we have sired. We are used to their peccadilloes, having raised them to adulthood. Maybe we need to employ those same parenting skills in the office place.

After all, we are depending on them to maintain payments to the Social Security system.

search for : Traditionalists, Baby boomers, Generation Xers, Millenials

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