What are effective strategies for managing healthcare staff across generations?

1 Understand generational differences

The first step to managing healthcare staff across generations is to understand the general characteristics and motivations of each age group. While you should avoid stereotyping or making assumptions, you can use some common frameworks to identify the key factors that influence each generation's work style, communication, feedback, learning, and career goals. For example, you can use the model developed by William Strauss and Neil Howe, which divides the current workforce into four generations: Traditionalists (born before 1946), Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Generation X (born 1965-1980), and Millennials (born 1981-1996).

2 Communicate effectively

The second step to managing healthcare staff across generations is to communicate effectively with each age group, using the appropriate channels, tone, and frequency. For example, you can use face-to-face meetings, phone calls, or emails to communicate with Traditionalists and Baby Boomers, who value formal and respectful communication. You can use text messages, instant messaging, or social media to communicate with Generation X and Millennials, who prefer informal and frequent communication. You can also adapt your message to suit each generation's preferences, such as using facts and data for Traditionalists, stories and emotions for Baby Boomers, results and feedback for Generation X, and collaboration and innovation for Millennials.

3 Provide flexible options

The third step to managing healthcare staff across generations is to provide flexible options for work arrangements, benefits, and professional development. For example, you can offer telecommuting, flexible hours, or part-time work for Traditionalists and Baby Boomers, who may want to balance their work and personal lives. You can offer health insurance, retirement plans, or wellness programs for Generation X and Millennials, who may be concerned about their financial and physical well-being. You can also offer mentoring, coaching, or online courses for all generations, who may have different learning styles and career aspirations.

4 Encourage collaboration

The fourth step to managing healthcare staff across generations is to encourage collaboration and teamwork among your staff, using various methods and tools. For example, you can create cross-generational teams or projects, where each member can share their skills, knowledge, and perspectives with others. You can also use online platforms, such as Google Docs, Zoom, or Slack, to facilitate communication, coordination, and feedback among your team members. You can also organize social events, such as lunches, happy hours, or retreats, to build rapport, trust, and camaraderie among your staff.

5 Recognize and reward

The fifth step to managing healthcare staff across generations is to recognize and reward their contributions and achievements, using different forms and frequencies. For example, you can use public recognition, such as certificates, plaques, or announcements, to reward Traditionalists and Baby Boomers, who value status and recognition. You can use monetary rewards, such as bonuses, raises, or commissions, to reward Generation X and Millennials, who value compensation and incentives. You can also use personalized rewards, such as thank-you notes, gift cards, or tickets, to reward all generations, who appreciate genuine and sincere appreciation.

6 Seek feedback and improvement

The sixth and final step to managing healthcare staff across generations is to seek feedback and improvement from your staff, using various sources and methods. For example, you can use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to collect feedback from your staff, regarding their satisfaction, engagement, and performance. You can also use self-assessments, peer reviews, or performance appraisals to evaluate your staff, regarding their strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. You can also use coaching, mentoring, or training to support your staff, regarding their goals, challenges, and opportunities.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?