Multi-generational teams – an explosive topic. People are working longer and longer, thereby contributing to a more diverse working world. At the same time, characteristic differences are becoming increasingly clear. While the baby boomers, which is the generation of the baby boom of the 50s and 60s, are now all about to retire, generations X and Y (also known as millennials) are in the middle of their working lives. The zoomer generation (Z), so all those born around the turn of the millennium, are just starting to take off professionally – the result: up to four generations under one company roof. 

But this generation mix not only brings advantages, it also risks. This applies to the security industry as well. With poor management, conflicts within a multigenerational team are therefore inevitable. But what challenges do managers face?

Living to work – or the other way around?

Security managers who lead different generations within a team should be aware of the following challenges:

  • Digitalization & automation: while the generation of the late 90s in particular has grown up with digital devices such as computers, cell phones and tablets, previous cohorts still suffer from a sometimes considerable lack of experience. When digital dinosaurs meet digital natives, there is a threat of tension. This becomes all the more acute against the backdrop of the constant digitization and automation of security processes.
  • Values and self-image: The value systems and self-image of generations differ, in some cases considerably. This relates not only to expectations of their own role within the security organization, but also to the relevance of sense-making and sustainability. To avoid conflicts, managers must weigh the different values of the individual team members – in harmony with the corporate culture.
  • Career & expectations: The importance of one's own profession and career has changed significantly across the generations. While baby boomers still tended to set high career goals, self-fulfilment and one's own private life have since become increasingly important. Balancing family and career is moving into the focus, even in the security industry – a challenge that can quickly become a balancing act for security managers in order to meet the expectations of all team members.

X, Y, Z, Alpha – what`s next?

The differences between individual generations are obvious and are reflected in countless aspects of everyday working life. Good managers are needed to make professional interaction as compatible and conflict-free as possible. The next generation, the so-called Generation Alpha, is already in the starting blocks. In order to master current and future challenges within multi-generation teams, company managers should actively train their executives in the security sector. Security-Island offers a professional training with the e-learning "Cross-Generation Leadership" - also for your company.