Generation gaps

[KathieK]

With many teams consisting of members spanning several generations, I thought I'd throw this topic out their for discussion - how does your team deal with the generation gaps?

USA Today ran a story back in November that talked about the issues that are starting to come up in the workplace between my Baby Boomer generation, the Gen Xers and now the Generation Yers. Differences among generations have existed forever. So maybe I'm just noticing things more now as I am approaching a major birthday, ie "getting old".

Since FIRST teams tend to be a microcosm of the workplace, have you noticed any differences in respect, work habits, expectations, etc. on your teams between the generations? How are you dealing with it (ARE you dealing with it?)? Do you include discussions of the differences between generations in your teambuilding exercises? If you are a Boomer like me, what are the issues you see in the younger members of your team? If you are a GenX or GenY person, what are the issues you see in the older members of your team?

This is not meant to be a gripe session; please do not use team specific information. It is intended to be an open discussion on the topic, to help me understand how to incorporate these issues in the teambuilding sessions I am preparing to do with teams in the fall.