Come Monday morning, and you might not feel like you have a lot in common with your colleagues. Some may spend the day recounting a big Saturday night. While others are likely to have spend their Sunday catching up on household chores. However, with last Tuesday marking World Friendship Day, the importance of forming friendships across generations in the workplace was spotlighted by Linkedin. With the business and employment-focused social media platform revealing that 43% of professionals in Australia feel they need a close work friend. To bridge this gap and foster intergenerational work friendships, LinkedIn Career Expert, Cayla Dengate shared her tips below.
If you are a professional who hangs out with someone in the same age group at work, you might be missing out on opportunities. There are some good reasons to want to expand your network of friends at work and add a few people who are of different ages.
One great reason to have friends who differ from you in age is that they will likely be at different levels of the organisation. This could result in mentorship opportunities and also contribute to career growth as they can share insider insights on what matters to the leadership team. In addition, you can also engage in informal conversations and speak freely about the joys and frustrations of your work.
In Australia, 43% of professionals feel they need a close work friend. Yet, close workplace friendships are more common among younger generations. 55% of Gen Zs and 52% of Millennials have a close friend/friends at work, compared to 50% of Gen X and 49% of Baby Boomers. 45% of professionals also feel that they need a mentor at work but only 29% have one.
With 40% of professionals in Australia reporting burnout from their jobs, workplace friendships can offer respite. While it is often easier to befriend people of the same age group, an intergenerational friendship can help to improve understanding and collaboration, naturally foster mentorship and offer a source of emotional support. Individuals, regardless of age, can learn from each other’s experiences, creating a more inclusive work environment.
As our workplaces become increasingly age-diverse, it is important to befriend colleagues across age groups. Embracing these relationships can encourage an exchange of experiences and diverse perspectives, which can evolve into an informal mentorship. Intergenerational friendships can also help to bridge gaps created by generational differences, leading to a more cohesive and collaborative work environment.
Forming close work friendships across generations can be challenging due to differing communication styles, work behaviours, and backgrounds. This International Friendship Day, why not make an effort to get to know your younger or older colleagues better?
Here are my tips for forming close work friendships with colleagues from other generations:
- Find common ground. Start conversations to learn about your colleagues’ interests outside of work. Ask about their hobbies, industry trends that they care about, or their favourite sport at the Olympics. This can help you find shared interests and build connections.
- Be open about seeking mentorship. Let your colleagues know that you’re looking for a mentor and share the skills you want to learn. You might find a colleague from another generation who can guide you and this could just be the start to a new friendship.
- Embrace different perspectives. Connect with your colleagues on LinkedIn, engage with them on their posts and participate in these conversations. Engaging in discussions, both online and offline, helps understand their viewpoints and learn from their experiences.
- Collaborate on projects. Volunteer to work on projects with colleagues from different age groups. This will give you a chance to learn from their experiences and work styles.
- Organise informal meetups. Who doesn’t love a free lunch or coffee? Set up casual outings to get to know colleagues in a relaxed setting, breaking down any formal barriers.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning. Leaders can encourage a two-way mentorship model where both younger and older colleagues can learn from each other. For example, reverse mentoring programs where younger employees share insights on emerging trends with senior staff can be incredibly valuable.
- Address biases and stereotypes. Be aware of generational stereotypes and actively work to challenge them. Every individual is unique, regardless of their age. Approach each colleague with an open mind and you might be surprised by the connections you form.