Resolving Conflicts

You’re right, but I’m the boss!
Just do your job!
I remember when …
The kid wants a promotion after six months on the job!
No!


These are the phrases you would probably hear if you work at a place with large generational differences and related conferences. If you remember, in the previous post, I outlined many of the problems that are uprising across workplaces caused by generational differences. In this entry, I will detail solutions and ways to solve and bridge those generational differences. It's important to work through these differences to ensure a more productive and efficient workplace setting. Below are some tips I found regarding how to bridge across differences to find a common ground. 


Most important aspect and strategy to bridging the differences of generational differences is communication. This means instead of arguing and focusing on the differences between the different generations, focus more on the similarities. Don’t generalize characteristics just based on generations.Understand that each person has his/her habits. (Filipczak, 1999)

Ask questions, rather than make statements. Let others understand the faults to their points by asking questions so they can figure it out themselves instead of you bluntly saying it out loud

Communication effectively is very important. Many problems associated with the misunderstanding across different generations are related to lack of effort in communicating. It might be more work. Especiallly as the Y generation, we should stray away from using slangs such as “lol”, “btw”. Know who you are working with and be respectful of their differences.
Even though we value self-expression, we should also pay attention to professionalism and business etiquette in the workplace. (Sutton, 2002)

Lastly, be patient with the older generations. Know that this is our time not theirs. Which means we are most familiar with the rapidly ranging technology (show pic of changing tech). We are the ones most updated with the different social networking sites. Help you by helping them. help them adapt and get more accustomed to this changing world.


One of my favorite quotes and what prompted me to write for the past two posts is Carolyn Heilbrun's quote, "Although the old,as we are daily warned, are growing in umber while the population of the young yearly declines, it is the young who influence the world we live." (Stoller, 2000, p. 90) This quote really capitalizes the role I need to partake in as well as how important we all need work together to manage generational differences in all aspects of our lives. Especially since I am studying business and planning on working in an accounting firm after graduation, I should start preparing and learning about working in a multigenerational firm. The more prepared I am, the better the transitioning to the new environment will be. 


1. Wey Smola, K., & Sutton, C. D. (2002). Generational differences: revisiting generational work values for the new millennium. (J. M. Spector, Ed.)Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23(4), 363-382. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. / Business. Retrieved from http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/job.147
2. Zemke, R., Raines, C., & Filipczak, B. (1999). Generations at work: Managing the clash of veterans, boomers, Xers and nexters in your workplace. New York: AMACOM Books.
3. Stoller, E. P., & Gibson, R. C. (2000). World of difference inequality in the aging experience. (3 ed., p. 144). Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.