By Steff WillisMonday 5 Aug 202452Q with Steff & MicahLeadershipReading Time: 3 minutes
Understanding how to bridge the gap and connect between generations is a crucial skill, whether you’re leading a team, working within an organization, or even communicating within your family.
While you might prefer to hang out with those who “get you”, it’s just not a reality. So how do we overcome and close the generational gap?
Clifford Morgan is a leadership expert and endorsed organisational psychologist with over seventeen years of service with the Royal Australian Air Force. As a coach Cliff has worked with CEOs, military commanders, government executives and business and community leaders across a wide variety of industries and he is the author of The Coaching Leader.
Cliff joined Steff and Micah on the latest episode of 96five’s podcast 52Q to chat about how bridging the gap between generations isn’t a new challenge and what it takes to lead a family, team or organisation.
“This is a phenomenon that lasts, it’s gone throughout history” Cliff said
“What’s sitting behind that? Every generation wants to make life better for the next generation, right?”
“We want to make life easier, quicker, safer, and simpler. We’re essentially removing hardship from life in order to make life better for the next generation.”
Cliff went on to explain that in removing hardships, we inadvertently strip away the challenges that build character. A lack of character and resilience is something older generations have criticised younger generations over for centuries.
Cliff Morgan with 52Q hosts Steff and Micah
Leadership Principles to Bridge the Gap
Clifford proposes three core principles to align expectations and bridge the generational gap: know your people, show your people, and grow your people.
Know Your People
The first step in connecting with different generations is understanding who they are. This involves both personal conversations and understanding broader generational trends.
“Get to know what makes them tick, what’s their identity, and what motivates them,” Cliff said.
“Have you asked what motivates them? That becomes really important – getting to know who they are knowing what they’re capable of. Be curious and get connected.
Show Your People
Role modeling is essential in demonstrating desired behaviors. Sharing stories and experiences helps younger generations understand the values and expectations of older ones, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
“Leadership starts in the home and is influenced throughout life, not just at work.” Cliff Morgan, Author of The Coaching Leader
Grow Your People
Growth should be the goal for effective leadership. It’s about equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities to develop their capabilities and character.
“We need to intrinsically motivate people to do growth activities. This involves giving them autonomy, fostering a sense of mastery, and connecting their tasks to a larger purpose.”
Cliff explained how leadership principles are confined to the workplace. These pinciples apply equally to parenting, education, and community interactions.
Understanding and appreciating the unique motivations and challenges of different generations can significantly improve how we lead, manage, and interact with others. While generational differences can pose challenges, they also offer rich opportunities for learning and growth.
“Life is no longer inherently hard, so we’ve got to seek out intentionally hard things in order to develop character” Cliff said.
By embracing this mindset, we can create environments where both young and old feel valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Listen to the full episode with Cliff Morgan in the player below or search 52Q wherever you get your podcasts.
Feature Image: Canva Pro