The Deep Dive with Aga and Shani: Intergenerational Synergies at Work
Welcome to our monthly show where I, Aga Bajer, along with my fellow culture enthusiast and Wonder co-founder, Shani Persson, delve into topics critical to cultivating thriving cultures at scale. Our aim is to share practical insights, empower you to make better decisions and help you achieve remarkable success in your culture work.
Today, we shine a spotlight on the intergenerational synergies at work.
The workplace landscape has transformed dramatically over the past few decades with 5 different generations now working side by side, each bringing their unique perspectives, experiences, and workstyles to the table.
While this diversity holds immense potential for innovation and growth, it can also give rise to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and even stereotypes.
Generational diversity, if not handled thoughtfully, can inadvertently lead to exclusion or discrimination.
Stereotypes, such as the belief that older workers are resistant to change or that younger employees lack experience, can hinder collaboration and teamwork.
In this chat, Shani and I unpack this topic and talk about how we create strategies that help our organization fight age-related stereotypes and create an environment where everyone unlocks their potential.
Episode highlights
Stereotypes across generations
Tech-savvy isn’t a youth monopoly, and adaptability isn’t age-dependent. Individual traits outweigh generational labels.
Root causes of age-related tensions at work
The real culprits are biases, assumptions, and a culture that lacks curiosity and respect, not the calendar years between coworkers.
The synergy of age diversity
Generations don’t have to clash; they can complement. Each age group brings unique skills and perspectives to the table.
The evolution of ageism
Historical, technological, and societal shifts have fueled ageism, but culture plays a role too.
Culture, age, and independence
Western emphasis on independence skews our views on aging. Community and interdependence are often overlooked virtues.
Global perspectives on aging
From Sweden’s progressive policies to more communal societies, aging is viewed and managed differently worldwide.
The role of community in longevity
Places like Okinawa and Sardinia show that a strong sense of community and purpose can actually help you live longer and better. The workplace can be one of the communities people need to thrive as they age.
Turning age into an asset
Age diversity is an untapped resource, not a hurdle. It’s more about life cycles and less about generational tags.
Flexible work environments for all ages
Workplaces need to accommodate life’s stages, offering roles where both older and younger employees can mentor and learn from each other.
A new take on retirement
Rethinking the linear work-retire model opens doors to flexible life transitions, including short sabbaticals and staggered retirements.
Listen to the interview in the player below or on iTunes. If you like what you hear, please leave a review, and it may be featured on a future episode.
More about Shani Persson
Shani is one of the founders of an experience design lab, Wonder. It’s a company aimed to inspire and support companies, institutions, groups or individuals to help themselves and others thrive through more human experiences. She spent more than 10 years in corporate people functions – driving change, and building culture and experiences for co-workers.
A nerd for anything human development, learning, leadership, culture and experiences that enhance our wellbeing and contribution. Loves exploring – cold plunges, meditation and biohacking included – to learn how we can lead fulfilled lives with healthy minds and bodies, and of course – designing impactful human experiences.
More about Aga Bajer
Aga is the founder and CEO of CultureBrained® – a boutique consultancy on a mission to empower purpose-driven leaders to make work synonymous with fun, meaning and belonging. Aga is passionate about cultivating thriving cultures where people do their best work and solve wicked problems. Before establishing CultureBrained®, Aga led consulting teams in companies like Hay Group, Korn Ferry, and PwC.
In the past 20+ years, Aga helped hundreds of clients to attract, hire, develop and retain A+ talent, accelerate personal and business growth, drive impact and create legendary cultures that scale.
Aga is the founder and host of a one-of-a-kind, global community for Culture Leaders, the CultureBrained Community, where members connect with outstanding peers to discover new ways of cultivating thriving cultures at scale in the brave new world of remote and hybrid work. She is the author of Building and Sustaining a Coaching Culture and the creator and host of one of the most popular podcasts on culture, the CultureLab.
Aga has worked with senior leadership teams of many major organizations, startups, and scaleups. Her client portfolio includes Microsoft, AWS, Nordea, ANZ, Ideo, Toyota, Porsche, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Citibank, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Leo Pharma, Hellenic Bank, Eurolife, Bank of Cyprus, Eurobank, Wargaming, Sanofi, Amdocs, SAP, and many others.
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Additional resources
Discover Your Personal Values.
Interview with Chip Conley on the CultureLab podcast- The New Age of Wisdom: The Rise of a Modern Elder
Documentary: The Swedish Theory of Love
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