Among the many shifts shaping the world of work, multigenerational teams are one of the most fascinating—and complex—realities. When five generations—Baby Boomers, X, Y, Z, and Alpha—share the same workplace, differences in language, values, and habits can easily create misunderstandings.
Younger generations, especially Z and Alpha, tend to be more open to innovation. They carry fewer ingrained biases and adapt quickly to new approaches. But keeping them engaged can be a bigger challenge. While a Gen X colleague might commit to a company through a professional development program, a younger employee may respond more to a mental health initiative. So where do these differences come from—and how do we bridge them?
“The concept of authority is being redefined.”
The traditional view of authority has shifted dramatically. Older generations grew up in a world where authority—whether from parents, teachers, or employers—was rarely questioned. For younger generations, authority now rests on competence, creativity, and emotional intelligence, not on age or tenure.
“We work with different concepts in the 21st century, and this causes tension between generations. Each generation understands certain terms differently and sticks to different habits because they’ve followed different models and drawn from different sources.” – Dr. Katalin Baracsi, generational and social media expert
Advice from older colleagues can sometimes trigger friction, particularly with Gen Z. Much of it is rooted in experiences from a world that no longer exists in the same form. If guidance feels outdated—or worse, like criticism—it can be seen as a threat to autonomy, which younger generations value deeply.