Being the manager of a team in the hospitality sector can be a daunting task. It can be even more intimidating when you have to manage a team with people older and younger than you.

Working with people from different generations can be both challenging, but rewarding, for you and your business. Here’s how to reap the benefits of having a team filled with individuals of different ages:

The Issues

The younger generation expect a lot of different conditions than individuals who are older, and vice versa. Working with people of different ages means you have to manage expectations and create a consistent working environment in areas where you can.

Millennials and Generation Z are used to a digital world, so introducing the younger generation to any kind of new technology like apps or hospitality software on tablets will be a lot easier. However, the older generation may need a little more training. On the other hand, the older generation have a lot more experience than employees of a younger age, because they’ve lived more years in the industry. Whereas, younger individuals may not be used to the way your business works. Yet, the younger generation offer innovative ideas and look at things from a different perspective. Therefore, having diversity in your team can help to evolve your business.

How to Manage It

According to corehr, ‘one of the challenges facing organisations is to adapt to disruptive technologies and to create an environment that will attract digital natives like Millennials and Generation Z.’ Technology makes employees lives easier, so should be incorporated where possible. It will help bridge the gap between the younger and older employees as it creates a community where everyone is using the same equipment to a similar standard. Digital software helps level the playing field, so everyone has an equal experience at work, especially with the correct training.

Business owners need to recognise talent and achievements to retain employees. Identify where you can improve aspects of your company to benefit the individuals that work for you. Give benefits and incentives to your cross-generational team, ones that will help employees individually. For example, the younger generation could benefit from flexible working hours. On the other hand, remote working could be a great advantage to the older generation with families to take care of.

Keep in mind that employees of different age groups will all communicate differently, so make sure your business reflects this. As a manager, make sure you’re available through different platforms for advice (e.g. email, phone, messaging platforms). Ensure you’re checking in regularly with your employees and ask if they are happy with how your business is running. Open the floor to your employees, so they feel comfortable expressing ideas that could benefit your company; there could be a new app or piece of software that will make the day-to-day running of your business easier.

Hold regular team meetings where your employees can sit and get to know each other a little better. Different generations can learn and grow from each other, so make sure you’re holding group activities or outings, so they can evolve on a more personal level too.