Leadership Exchange - Winter 2009

Let Every Generation Be Heard Programs to Bridge Differences

By Rohini Anand

For the first time in our country’s history there are four distinct generations working side by side: members of the Traditionalist, Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Generation Y generations. Each of these generations has very different values, ideas, communication methods, and approaches to completing assignments. They also have significantly different motivational and engagement factors. Understanding what drives each generation and their underlying experiences is key to creating a cohesive work environment in which people feel valued and empowered to focus on their strengths, honor their differences, and celebrate their contributions.

In the workplace, generational differences can affect everything from recruiting and team building to productivity, morale, and retention. Developing strategies for effective cross-generational communication can ultimately eliminate confusion and misunderstandings and help create an environment in which employees of all generations feel engaged, challenged, and fulfilled.

demonstrate adaptation skills for communicating and working effectively across generational differences.

Sodexo has also developed a Work–Life Effectiveness Steering Committee responsible for examining and making recommendations regarding the quality of work life for Sodexo employees. A subcommittee focuses on the mature workforce as well as intergenerational issues. The subcommittee supports life-stage related research through e-surveys and focus groups that validate Sodexo’s current work–life strategy. In addition,

this subcommittee created an online toolkit to celebrate May
as Older Americans Month, which was first enacted through
a presidential proclamation in 1963. The subcommittee is
currently championing the formation of an
intergenerational employee network group.

Generations in the Workplace

Each generation relies on unique attitudes, behaviors, expectations, and motivational factors. What does this mean for the workplace? At Sodexo, this means acknowledging differences and recognizing that education and awareness are important tools in creating a cohesive and mutually satisfactory work environment. With this in mind, Sodexo created the Generations in the Workplace learning lab. An old proverb says, “People resemble their times more than they resemble their parents.” Building on that wisdom, this interactive and informative learning lab invites participants to select the generation with which they most identify and experience the three-hour workshop with that group. Key information is shared about the four generations and participants learn to better understand each generation’s values, beliefs, and behaviors in the workplace. Participants also practice skills to bridge generational differences in communication styles for more effective communication across generations. For example, Traditionalists and Baby Boomers generally prefer to communicate more formally, such as face-to-face or over the phone, while members of Generation X and Generation Y generally prefer more informal communication, such as e-mail.

By the end of the session, participants are able to identify key traits of each generation, describe how generational differences can shape workplace behavior and interactions, and identify ways to adapt communication styles, such as picking up the phone rather than sending e-mail, to communicate more effectively across generations. In addition, participants are able to

Mentoring and Networking

Sodexo has also used mentoring to influence
generational understanding and apprecia-
tion. Through its Spirit of Mentoring initiative,
Sodexo encourages employees to learn from
each other by sharing knowledge, experi-
ences, and best practices. IMPACT, Sodexo’s
most formal program, involves both mentors
and mentees who apply for the opportunity
to be part of a year-long structured mentoring
experience. Peer2Peer is an informal mentor-
ing program offered by the employee network
groups. Sodexo’s informal BRIDGE mentoring program is
tailored to meet the needs of each business division.

In addition, Sodexo is in the process of developing an Intergenerational Employee Network Group open to all employees. The network group will create an environment in which generational differences are understood, appreciated, and leveraged. It will also enhance understanding of employee and organizational needs and provide opportunities for the transfer of knowledge between more seasoned employees and entry-level workers. Employees of all generations will have opportunities to create dialogue, discuss their differences and similari-ties, and focus on team cohesiveness.

The most successful companies continually seek opportunities to let every generation be heard. This appreciation of diversity allows each group to contribute to and participate in the growth of an organization. By focusing on and encouraging the professional contributions of all employees, we can help close the generational gap and offer ways for members of each generation to recognize their strengths and add value to the workplace.