Generational Differences In Management Styles

This is a good question.

Having worked in an industry that was essentially kids as both the product and the staff (high-fashion models - think Victoria Secrets), as well as others, the millennials work ethic and style are quite different than us baby boomers, etc.

In some respects it may be better, in others it's very troubling. Some of the issues are the same ones we had at that age, in that we always knew better, so that is a cross generational issue, others are a product of our educational system and how they were taught.

This could be a great panel discussion as well...

This is an ever growing challenge in today's workforce. As the new professionals enter the workforce, and the older generation is forced to push off retirement - the dynamics will continue.ive taught classes on these dynamics and the overwhelming take away is ther is no one right answer. People are all different and the new generation and older generation are different in themselves. Some of the actions companies are taking is attempting to better on board new hires to prepare them for how their organization is comprised. Also - continuing to have open and focused meetings about work changes and culture challenges is important. Easier said than done - especially since management will most often be in the older generation

Management style largely depends or emanates from one's management paradigms and most especially what you view the purpose of "the" or "a" business is.

New(er) business/management concepts involve changing your views on business' real purpose. If you view that business' real purpose is the pursuit of profit, then it will reflect on how you treat and manage your employees. If you examine the purpose/goals of newer companies (Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Google, the Musk companies, to name a few), NONE ( i reiterate....none) of them has "profit" as their primary goal. They view "profit" just as a byproduct of the work they do. They also view their employees as partners and not just somebody getting paid to do the work.

Business purpose/concept and management paradigms largely influences company culture. Culture affects management styles.

I have NOT seen any studies, but I will posit that motivations of different generations tend to mold or change in accordance with company culture. Culture is the cohesive factor between generations.

Going back to the subject of your question.....Examine and understand the culture, in order to understand and know the appropriate management style.

There are a few studies out there, CIO.com addresses this topic as so many tech companies are facing generational issues. http://www.cio.com/article/2437236/staff-management/gen-y--gen-x-and-the-baby-boomers--workplace-generation-wars.html

I would love to see a webinar on this topic as well. Thanks to James Scott for posting one link that addresses all but the newest generation(s) to hit the workforce. I thought it was tough as a Gen X managing Gen Y's....until the Millenials came along. While certainly there are varying corporate cultures that either shape managerial outlooks or attract certain outlooks, there is definitely an element of generational focus that has been present in all my workplaces.