FAQs
Short answers to general questions
What is a generation?
A generation is a group of people who share a similar period of development (from birth to approximately their mid-twenties) as well as a similar cultural environment during those formative years.
For example, two people who grew up in Argentina during the 1970s would generally belong to the same generation, while someone growing up in France during the same period would not. This is because a generation is not simply based on age—it is also a cultural sub-group.
What does "intergenerational" mean?
An intergenerational workplace is one where people from different generations interact positively, depend on one another, and benefit from each other's different strengths and perspectives.
How can you tell if an organisation is intergenerational?
Our research identified five characteristics that determine whether generations are working well together:
-
Positive Interactions
-
Connection
-
Interdependence
-
Accommodation
-
Empowerment
Our assessments measure how well an organisation performs in each characteristic, helping leaders identify strengths, uncover hidden risks, and prioritise improvement.
Learn more in our Five Characteristics articles or explore our assessment services.
Why is intergenerational connection important?
Strong intergenerational relationships reduce age-based stereotypes, improve understanding between generations, and create workplaces where people feel they belong. They also strengthen engagement, collaboration, wellbeing, and organisational performance.
How can workplaces benefit from intergenerational diversity?
Organisations benefit by combining the different strengths each generation brings. Diverse perspectives improve innovation, decision-making, knowledge transfer, adaptability, and collaboration when managed effectively.
What are the differences between generations?
It's not so much that generations hold different values, but that they prioritise shared values differently.
For example, every generation values authenticity, but some generations place a higher priority on it than others. Differences often emerge in attitudes toward work, leadership, technology, communication, and career expectations.
Are generational stereotypes accurate?
Generational patterns exist, but they should never be used to stereotype individuals.
Our work focuses on understanding organisational trends and workplace dynamics while recognising that every employee is unique.
Is generational tension really a significant issue?
Sometimes the signs are obvious, but often they remain hidden.
Generational tension frequently appears through reduced engagement, weaker collaboration, increased turnover, poor knowledge transfer, and missed opportunities rather than open conflict. Our assessments help organisations identify these risks before they become costly.
Do you only provide workplace assessments?
No.
Some organisations engage us for keynote presentations or leadership workshops, while others seek advisory services, coaching, or comprehensive organisational assessments. Our services are designed to meet organisations wherever they are in their journey.
How can intergenerational conflict be resolved?
Intergenerational conflict is best addressed through open communication, empathy, and a willingness to understand different perspectives.
Respect does not require agreement. Most conflict reduces when people better understand why others think, communicate, and prioritise differently.
Where needed, coaching or facilitated conversations can help organisations rebuild trust and collaboration.
What are the benefits of mentoring across generations?
Cross-generational mentoring encourages knowledge to flow in both directions.
Experienced employees contribute judgement, organisational knowledge, and context, while emerging employees contribute fresh perspectives, adaptability, and new ways of thinking. Both generations benefit when learning becomes reciprocal rather than one-directional.
Questions related to our services
What services does Intergenerational Solutions offer?
We provide workplace assessments, keynote presentations, workshops, leadership coaching and consulting that help organisations strengthen collaboration across generations. Whether you need a one-off keynote or a long-term organisational strategy, our services are designed to improve retention, engagement, collaboration and performance.
How can Intergenerational Solutions help my organisation?
We help organisations identify and address the workplace conditions that create generational tension. By improving collaboration, communication and leadership across generations, organisations can strengthen retention, increase engagement, improve productivity and build a more resilient workforce.
What makes Intergenerational Solutions unique?
Our approach is grounded in original research rather than generational stereotypes. Instead of focusing on labels, we measure the workplace conditions that influence how generations work together. This provides leaders with evidence-based insights and practical recommendations that improve collaboration, engagement and organisational performance.
Who are your services designed for?
Our services are designed for organisations seeking to strengthen collaboration, leadership and performance across generations. We work with executive teams, People & Culture leaders, managers and organisations across corporate, government, education and not-for-profit sectors.
How can I learn more about your services?
The best place to start is with a discovery call. We'll discuss your organisation, the challenges you're experiencing and whether a keynote, workshop, assessment or consulting engagement is the right fit. Or check out our services page.
Who is a workplace assessment suitable for?
Our full workplace assessments are generally best suited to organisations with around 30 or more employees, where survey data can provide meaningful organisational insights. Smaller organisations often benefit from beginning with a workshop, keynote, consulting engagement or the Generational Snapshot. Check out all of our services to find which one fits your needs, or book a free discovery call to discuss the possibilities.
How does the workplace assessment work?
Every assessment is tailored to your organisation's size, industry and objectives.
Depending on your organisation, the process may include employee surveys, leadership interviews, focus groups and industry-specific assessment modules. This tailored approach ensures your results are representative, actionable and directly relevant to your organisation.
If you'd like to learn more about the assessment process, visit our Assessment page or book a discovery conversation.
What is the Generational Snapshot?
The Generational Snapshot is a short assessment that provides an overview of how your organisation is performing across the Five Characteristics of Intergenerational Workplaces. It is an ideal starting point for organisations wanting an initial picture before considering a comprehensive assessment.
Will responses remain anonymous?
Yes. Individual responses are confidential and are reported only in aggregate. Results are not presented where anonymity could reasonably be compromised, helping participants respond honestly while giving leaders reliable data they can confidently act upon.
Do we have to start with an assessment?
No. Many organisations first engage us for a keynote presentation, workshop or leadership session. Others begin with an assessment before deciding on the most appropriate next steps. We can tailor our approach to suit your organisation's objectives.