As baby boomers retire en masse and younger people transition into their workplace roles, you may be among the many Americans navigating work with people from several different generations.
Some researchers have found key differences in how baby boomers differ from Generations X, Y and Z in navigating the workplace. Others say those studies are way too generalized in the way they categorize individuals.
Ultimately, understanding commonalities in how co-workers of different ages think could be helpful in succeeding in your role as a traveling nurse — as long as you keep the research in perspective and treat your co-workers as individuals with their own thoughts and feelings. As such, here are suggestions for getting along with people of different generations while you’re on the job.
- Use universal standards of respect and integrity with everyone at work, regardless of their jobs. Among other things, that means making eye contact during conversations; not interrupting them when they’re talking; using established titles; being on time; telling the truth and doing what you say you’re going to do.
- Seek to understand co-workers by asking them questions, getting to know them and looking for common interests and points of view. People of all ages tend to appreciate sincerity, authenticity and the ability to listen instead of dominating every conversation.
- Keep generational labels to yourself; for example, refrain from comments or jokes related to entitled millennials, technology-deficient baby boomers or out-of-touch traditionalists.
- Stay humble. Recognize people younger and older than you may have skills you know nothing about and could never master.
- Be sensitive about differences in technology skills based on generation. Not everyone grew up taking technology for granted, and given the breakneck speed of emerging technology, you'll likely be the one scrambling to keep up one day.