We have all been challenged in recent years to pause and consider other perspectives. And it’s not always as easy as it sounds in the workplace because most people don’t control how businesses are generally run. They must abide by the rules and policies of their employers – like them or not. However, the pushback and tension are REAL and PERSISTENT.

In this episode of “I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY” I talk to Ilhiana Rojas Saldana, Founder and President of BeLIVE Coaching & Consulting, dedicated to supporting companies with their Executive and Leadership Transformation Strategy. We take a deep dive into the generational clashes that are happening in workplace cultures across the U.S. and how to best navigate them.

Ilhiana points out that for the first time ever there are five generations of employees represented in work environments (traditionalists, baby boomers, Generation X, millennials/Gen Y, and Generation Z), all with very distinct values. When we add into the mix (and tension) the fact that the younger generations are the most diverse we have ever experienced in terms of gender identity, race, and ethnicity, let’s just say – it’s A LOT to navigate from the employer’s perspective.

Communication is critical because if everyone is not on the same page with regards to the expectations of each individual and each team, then performance will be at most satisfactory and oftentimes disjointed or “meh”. From a generational standpoint, people tend to have differences in three areas: what they value at work, how they behave at work, and their skill sets. For example, while a seasoned salesperson might have more years of customer service and forecasting experience a recent college grad is a native speaker of tech and Web 3.0.

Something’s gotta give. We can all start by listening with empathy and admitting that we don’t know it all. There is MUCH we can learn from newer as well as more mature colleagues. We also have to come to terms that things will never go back to pre-pandemic work experiences because people are prioritizing LIVING…and many want work with PURPOSE. So, at the end of the day, if people feel valued, appreciated, and respected in the workplace, they will feel their employer actually cares about them and they will want to stick around for the long run. Otherwise, it’s time to BOUNCE!