Tom Coombes Tom Coombes
There’s no getting away from it: generations matter in the workplace.

People born in different eras have competing views regarding how and why work matters. This is a good thing. When properly understood, generational differences can contribute to a more creative and rewarding workplace. Finding ways to tap into generational preferences, while expelling negative assumptions, can lead to a more productive — and most importantly, a happier — work experience.

Right now there are four “work generations”: The Silents (ages 70 to 87), Baby Boomers (51 to 69), Generation X (35 to 50) and Millennials (18 to 34). Millennials are ascendant; they outnumber Generation X and soon will surpass retiring boomers.

While each generation has its quirks — Millennials tend to use Slack or instant messaging, while Boomers prefer in-person meetings — smart employers look for opportunities for everyone to communicate.

Here are six ways to make sure every employee, no matter their age, works in an environment where they can communicate.

Opportunity

This is the single most important motivational factor. Employees need to see the opportunity an employer can provide. Communicate to your staff what a career path looks like at your company and what opportunities there are for growth. Be transparent about any type of monetary and professional advancements that may be ahead and be open to role changes that make sense for the company and employee as an individual.

Openness

Secrets build suspicion. The more employees know about the structure, goals and clients of a company, the more secure they feel.

Don’t just send an internal monthly memo. Make sure there are regular face-to-face and electronic opportunities employees to gather and speak freely about concerns. Consider an “open door” policy for meetings.

Know your staff

No organization is so big that individual employees should feel anonymous. Learn about interests and activities, backstories and histories of as many people as possible. Keep notes about people and find ways to make connections. Encourage line managers to do the same, establishing a culture where people are curious about what makes everyone special.

Flexibility

Is the VP of sales a coach on his daughter’s soccer team? Does your office assistant have krav maga on Tuesday afternoons?

Understand the needs of your team. You don’t need to grant every request for a personal activity, but try not to pit the needs of one employee against another.

Each individual’s personal situation may require a little extra flexibility in the workplace. We have some employees that have young children, some that have a long commute, others that are taking care of a sick family member, and some attending graduate school. Catering to these differences is important.

This could mean working with your employees to find alterative and possibly non-traditional ways of getting things done. Coming in early and leaving early, working remotely, taking a leave of absence: these are all options that can be offered to your staff to effectively have a reasonable work-life balance. Be open and think outside the box in order to keep strong performers.

Invest in your staff

Every employee wants to feel like their employer cares. Sit down with each of them and talk through their professional goals. With their manager, set up a plan to get them to achieve these goals within a specific timeframe.

This might mean taking on a more prominent role with clients, or taking external classes to learn a new skill. Group training sessions and internal mentorship programs can be options as well. There should always be a mutual goal between staff and employer to improve an individual’s work quality and skill level.

Positive workplace

A recent study found that happy employees can be up to 12 percent more productive. There are several ways you can brighten people’s days in ways large and small:

When hiring new employees, make sure they’re a good fit for the larger office as well. Look for role models to add to your company family.

Get the team together after work on a regular basis. It’s called happy hours for a reason. Encourage people to talk about more than just work.

Do a company retreat. If you have employees spanning several offices, find a way for them to meet each other in-person. Stronger relationship makes collaboration easier.

Nip company gossip in the bud. An open office will have fewer rumors.

Do something small each week. Get a new plant. Buy snacks at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday. Celebrate a birthday. Participate in a food drive.

Every employee is a person. It doesn’t matter if they listen to Cole Porter or Future, eat Spam or quinoa, party all night or rise before dawn. If you meet their basic needs and build a better environment, everyone will get along better.

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Tom Coombes is CEO and Founder of Cognito.