CANFIELD, Ohio – People’s ages can affect what motivates them and how they communicate, leading to challenges in a multigenerational workplace.

But there are benefits, too, according to Lisa Russell, a senior learning and development consultant with Kane Learning.

She led Generations in the Workplace – The Power of a Multi-Generational Team, on Friday, part of Leadership Mahoning Valley’s Lessons on Leadership Series. The event was at Waypoint 4180.

From retiring traditionalists to Gen Z and Nexters, Russell explained what drives different generations. She urged attendees of all ages to consider ways they can better work with or relate to people from other generations.

“What are some of the challenges you see at work based on these characteristics and differences,” Russell asked. “And what are some of the benefits?”

Gerri Jenkins, executive director of MyPath Mahoning Valley, pointed out communication can be a challenge when generations communicate differently. When she sends an email, for example, Jenkins said she would at least like an acknowledgement of its receipt. But younger people don’t always communicate that way.

Russell said even emojis may have different meanings for different generations. A young woman at the event said no matter what she texts her father, he responds with a thumbs-up emoji, leading her to question whether he even read it.

“A misunderstanding or miscommunication or lack of communication can really cause major challenges,” Russell said.

Other clashes between the generations can come from life-work balance expectations and the ability to manage stress. While employees who have been at a company for years may believe in what they know works, younger employees may question why things are done a certain way.

Ultimately, everyone wants to be respected, Russell said. She suggested getting to know employees on a team. Tapping into differences can make it easier to communicate and work together.

“This is the second time I’ve worked with Kane Learning and we will be working more with them,” said JoAnn Stock, Leadership Mahoning Valley president, “I think it’s great the way they engage the audience… I think you learn more when you’re thinking about how you’re going to apply it in your own workplace and how it fits into your life.”

The audience included a mix of people who have completed the nine-month Leadership Mahoning Valley program and others about to start it or considering it in the future.

Stock said LMV encouraged people of different ages from the same workplaces to attend so they can implement what they learned. 

She said feedback from people who have completed the nine-month program shows they want more programs like Friday’s. The next event will be about women in leadership, including in manufacturing, she said. 

Kane Learning is a boutique consulting firm in central Ohio that works with small companies, nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies, providing training in leadership, team collaboration and internal and external communication.

Pictured at top: Attendees at Friday’s Leadership Speaker Series on Generations in the Workplace.