We are experiencing job loss at a rate not seen in 34 years and an unemployment rate not seen in over 16 years.  To add to the challenges and for the first time, there are four generations in the US labor market all bringing different values and experiences to the mix. 

There is a lot of research that outlines the difficulties of managing a multi-generational workforce.  Although there are differences from country to country, we can generally identify four generational groups that are currently active professionally:  Traditional workers (born before 1946), Baby boomers (1946-1960), Generation X (1961-1979), and Generation Y (starting from 1980). 

Each generation brings different values, attitudes, expectations, motivations and behaviors to the mix.  If it is hard to get people from various generations to reach any agreement, it will be even harder to do so within a company, corporate function or department.  Managing a multi-generational workforce is a challenge that many organizations and managers are facing today. 

The differences between generations can be apparent and lead to internal discord.  Are we prepared?  The success of multi-generational workplaces depends on how well management and employees understand these generational differences.   The goal should be to increase awareness - this can be accomplished through communication, training and employee education. 

The management style of leaders will need to reflect the respect and harmony needed by all four generations to be as collaborative, productive and competitive as possible. We will need to have a multi-generational perspective when it comes to the US workforce and with that comes opportunities to strengthen our functions, departments and teams. 

Generational differences can impact the overall goals, product and productivity of any team. These differences can affect a company culture to its foundation.  These generational differences will also affect how we recruit and are recruited.  How we will build teams and how employees deal with change.  How managers lead and how team members react to that leadership. 

I�??ve been able to find quite a bit of research, books, articles, blogs and discussions focusing around the differences between the generations, but little on how to integrate the different generations into one harmonious team.