On the outside, we humans are all pretty much the same. Two arms, two legs, and a head that holds a brain. But peel back that outer layer, and the differences start to pile up. 

What you believe, what you value, how you see the world – it’s a unique mix for every single person. And when you throw age into the mix, the differences get even more pronounced.

Millennials and Gen Xers, despite sharing the same office space and sometimes even similar career ambitions, bring contrasting perspectives to the table molded by their formative years.

In this article, I’ll talk about the similarities and differences between Millennials vs. Gen-X in the workplace and how to handle them. 

Who are Generation X and Millennials?

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Generation X, or Gen-X, includes people born between 1965 and 1980. This group follows the Baby Boomers and comes before the Millennials, and is sometimes referred to as “America’s neglected middle child.” 

Gen-X grew up during a time of significant social and economic changes. They experienced the rise of personal computers, the internet, and major shifts in pop culture.

Many Gen-Xers are often called "latchkey kids" because they spent a lot of time alone at home while both their parents worked. The characteristics of Gen X in the workplace are valuing hard work and a strong work ethic. 

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, include people born between 1981 and 1996. They come after Gen-X and are known for growing up during the rapid advancement of digital technology. They are the first generation to grow up with the internet, social media, and smartphones.

Millennials are seen as optimistic and focused on making the world a better place. They care about things like diversity and social justice. And because of the internet, they're really good at connecting with people and sharing information.

There are 31 million more Millennials than Gen-Xers in the US, according to King University. 

Similarities between Gen X and Millennials in the workplace

Now that we understand who millennials are and what are Gen X known for, let’s look at how similar they are at the office. 

Value work-life balance

Both Gen Xers and Millennials care a lot about having a good balance between their work and personal lives. They don't just want to be workaholics. They also want time for family, friends, and hobbies. 

Over 92% of LiveCareer’s 2024 survey respondents emphasized that having a good balance between work and personal life is really important to them.

Gallup found that 62% of Millennials who feel comfortable discussing non-work topics with their managers plan to stay with their current organization for at least another year.

Adaptability and flexibility 

Gen Xers were the first to see computers move into offices and were early adopters of technology, while Millennials basically grew up with it. Both groups are pretty good at learning new tech tools. 

They can readily adapt to changes in the workplace, like new software or remote work setups. 

One of the big topics in today's employee experiences is the debate over flexible and remote working.

Both Millennials vs. Gen-X want the freedom to choose when and where they work. According to a LiveCareer survey, 76% of the Millennial respondents and 64% of Gen Xers wanted flexible work options. 

Not only that, but when asked what they cared about most at work, 38% of Millennials and 33% of Gen X said that flexible work hours were their number one priority.

Now, where do both of these generations differ? 

Differences between Millennials vs. Gen-X

While both Millennials vs. Gen X exhibit notable adaptability and a mutual love for work-life balance, they also bring unique perspectives shaped by their generational experiences.

Here are some of the differences between the two generations. 

Communication preferences

Communication is a key area where Millennials vs. Gen X differ in the workplace.

Gen Xers tend to prefer straightforward and direct communication. They like in-person meetings and phone calls because these methods are clear. For many Gen Xers, face-to-face interactions are crucial for building trust and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Millennials grew up with technology at their fingertips. They love quick and efficient communication like instant messaging, texts, and social media. This generation is hyper-connected, and according to research, 93% of Millennials have a smartphone, and 71% rely on the internet as their primary source of information. 

They also use collaborative tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to stay in touch with colleagues and collaborate on projects.

Now, this isn't to say one way is better than the other. It's just different. And employers need to be aware of these differences to keep everyone happy. Offering various communication channels is a good start.

Work structure: Independent vs. collaborative

Millennials vs. Gen X definitely have different ideas about how work should get done. Gen Xers often like to work on their own. They're used to figuring things out by themselves and don't always need a team to get the job done. 

One of the key Gen X characteristics is the preference for independence, which means they often excel in roles that require self-direction and minimal supervision. 

Millennial employees, on the other hand, love teamwork. They grew up sharing everything—toys, science projects, and even their thoughts online

So, it makes sense that they like to collaborate on projects. They're good at bouncing ideas off each other and coming up with creative solutions.

Technological expertise

Technology is one of the biggest differences between Gen X and Millennials in the workplace. Millennials are the digital natives who grew up with technology and are comfortable using various digital tools. They are at ease with social media, instant messaging, CRM software, smartphones, cloud storage, and numerous computer applications. 

According to research by CompTIA, about two-thirds of Millennials view an organization’s adoption of technology and innovation as a significant factor in their choice of employer.

Gen X learnt to use tech later in their lives. They’re good with computers and emails, but they often need a little extra help with the newest, fanciest tools. 

The difference can sometimes create tension in the workplace. For example, Millennials may feel frustrated if their older colleagues take longer to adapt to new systems, while Gen Xers feel pressured to learn new technology too quickly.

One thing's for sure: tech isn't going away. So, companies need to keep up and help their employees do the same.
You can learn more about the latest employee trends here ➡️ 7 latest trends in employee engagement for 2024 & beyond.

How to handle each group?

We're all different, and that goes double for people born in different decades. Gen Xers and Millennials, in particular, bring unique perspectives, work styles, and expectations to the table. So, you can’t manage both the millennials vs. Gen X in the same way. 

Millennials are known for their tech-savviness and desire for purposeful work. Here’s how to engage and manage them effectively:

• Embrace Technology: Leverage technology in the workplace. Millennials are comfortable with digital tools and appreciate using them to streamline workflows and improve efficiency. 

• Support Work-Life Integration: Unlike previous generations, Millennials often blend work and personal life. Offer flexibility and support their need for a balanced lifestyle.

• Provide Meaningful Work: Millennials in workplace seek purpose in their work. Connect their tasks to the broader goals of the organization and emphasize how their contributions make a difference.

Gen X personality appreciates a good challenge and likes to have some control over their work. Here are a few tips to manage generation-X employees in the workplace: 

• Provide Autonomy: Gen Xers appreciate having control over how they work. Give them the freedom to make decisions and manage their projects independently.

• Appreciate their experience: They've been around the block many times. Value their input and knowledge.

• Be clear: Gen Xers like to know exactly what's expected of them. Be clear about goals, deadlines, and responsibilities.

How to build a strong bond between Gen X and Millennials in the workplace

Workplaces need to figure out how to make the most of the skills and strengths that different age groups bring to the table. You can use these differences to build a strong bond between teams that work well together and get more done.

Recognize diversity

The first step to building a strong bond between Gen Xers vs. Millennials is to simply acknowledge that they're different and appreciate what each brings to the table.

Both generations have different ways of doing things, but in terms of business, that's actually a good thing! It means you have a mix of skills and ideas.

According to a study by LiveCareer, 89% of people think it's great to have different generations working together. Plus, 87% see the chance to learn from each other as a valuable part of their work experience.

Foster an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued. Ensure that meetings and discussions allow for contributions from employees of all generations.

Create opportunities for cross-generational collaboration

Collaboration shouldn’t be limited to weekly team meetings. Your multigenerational workforce thrives when it can collaborate regularly. 

Create employee experience surveys to hear from both kinds of employees and plan collaboration opportunities accordingly. 

Encourage two-way conversations and knowledge sharing by setting up mentorship programs. 

Let more experienced team members mentor younger ones, and don’t forget to flip things around—let younger team members share their insights with their more experienced peers. 

When planning team-building activities, make them intentionally collaborative. Create activities that require members from different generations to work together.

Focus on results

Finally, let's talk about what really matters: getting the job done! 

Different generations have different ways of working. A Gen Xer might prioritize efficiency in completing tasks while sitting for hours in the office. Meanwhile, a Millennial in the workplace could be just as dedicated while working remotely from the comfort of home or responding to emails late at night.

Both ways are okay. As long as the project is finished, who cares how you did it, right?

As an employer, make sure everyone knows what needs to be done and when. Then, let them figure out how to get there. 

Trust your team to do a good job. When people feel trusted, they're more likely to work hard and deliver great results.

Bonus: Conduct regular employee surveys!

Millennials vs. Gen-X might have been raised in different eras, but they both bring valuable skills and perspectives to the workplace.

The best approach to managing a multi-generational workforce is to focus on open communication and a shared commitment to achieving common goals.

Want to get a better understanding of your employees’ thoughts on generational differences and other workplace issues? Formaloo provides an advanced survey maker and a suite of HR tools to help you gather valuable insights. 

With Formaloo, you can easily create customized employee surveys, analyze results, and make data-driven decisions to improve employee satisfaction and your workplace performance.

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