Today’s workforce is characterized by multigenerational diversity. At most companies, you will find a combination of Boomer, Gen X, millennial, and even Gen Z employees. Each generation brings its own set of life experiences, ideas, and expectations to the table. While this diversity can be fodder for creativity within the workplace, it can also present some challenges when it comes to building a coherent culture.

HR feels these challenges most acutely, especially when trying to earn the trust and goodwill of an unwieldy or multigenerational staff. As your HR team tackles this common obstacle, here are a few tips and suggestions that might help.

How to Build Trust within a Multigenerational Workforce

1) Develop a “yes, if” culture.

Nobody likes presenting an idea to the group, only to have it shot down. One way to eliminate this fear is to encourage your employees to avoid responding with no, and instead to try yes, if answers. This can give all members of your team the freedom to voice different views and opinions, without fear of being shunned by more senior employees (or ridiculed by younger ones).

2) Provide age inclusion training.

Does your company offer diversity training to its employees? If so, you might want to consider making age inclusion a part of the program. This is particularly helpful if you find employees lapsing into typical complaints or cliches about the members of a different generation.

3) Diversify your training options.

Different people learn in different ways, and often these differences fall along generational lines. For example, older employees may prefer a more traditional lecture- or discussion-based training session, while younger employees might be more comfortable with an online training program. Keep this in mind as you think about onboarding and professional development for your team.

4) Solicit feedback.

One way to build trust among your employees is to create a chance for them to share their opinions in a safe, anonymous way. Anonymous surveys are a tried-and-true option among HR teams, and can be a good way to check the pulse of your multigenerational workforce.

5) Establish common ground.

While your employees may be diverse in their viewpoints, it’s also important to remind them of everything they have in common. One way to accomplish this is to develop a mission statement, established on the basis of a shared set of values. In developing your mission statement, try to incorporate feedback from employees representing different generations.

6) Encourage socialization.

Another way to encourage empathy and camaraderie across generations is to facilitate socialization. Consider having a fun event, like a happy hour, for your team members to mix and mingle. Make sure you hold the event during work hours so that nobody feels resentful about having to come.

7) Promote a shared goal.

Finally, you can bring together employees from different generations by regularly reminding them that you are all working together toward the same goal. Make sure you have clearly-defined short-term and long-term goals, and that you can connect every employee role to the fulfillment of these goals.

Learn More About Leading Multigenerational Teams

For HR, it’s crucial to establish trust among all members of the workforce, including representatives of different generations. For more tips on how to do this, or to chat about your HR needs more generally, reach out to WhiteWater Consulting today.