For the first time in history, organizations are likely to have five different generations working together—each with their own skills, interests, priorities and expectations. Not surprisingly, this generational diversity is forcing employers to take a new approach to talent management, embracing both the unique opportunities and the unique challenges of a multigenerational workforce.
First, there’s Generation Z—the newest members to enter the workforce—who never knew the world before the internet. Then there are millennials, who bring a sense of “purpose” to the workforce and have high expectations for career growth and development. In the middle, there’s Generation X: self-reliant and juggling their jobs, child care and elderly parents. The baby boomers follow, often hesitant toward technology, but strong believers in collaboration and teamwork. And finally, the traditionalists—also known as the “silent generation”—who prioritize financial security at work and are fiercely loyal to employers