Five Ways Leaders Can Rethink Multigenerational Engagement

by Aniisu K Verghese:

I had the opportunity to speak on Adapting to a Multigenerational Workforce at the Claims Leaders Summit on May 14 in Sydney. Below is a summary of my presentation and my recommendations for organisations to get their multigenerational workforce truly engaged. I loved the interaction and questions from the audience.

Step into any Australian or international workplace and you’ll find four, sometimes five generations working side by side. Gen Z is bringing fresh energy. Millennials want impact. Gen X balances experience with adaptability. Baby Boomers continue to offer insight and stability. And Generation Alpha isn’t far off.

Most organisations say this mix matters. According to a 2020 Deloitte report (The Postgenerational Workforce), seventy percent recognise leading a multigenerational workforce is critical to their success in the next 12 to 18 months. Yet only 10 percent feel prepared to act on it. That gap is a missed business opportunity.

What’s Holding Workplaces Back?

Generational silos persist: A 2024 EDGE-EY EqualVoice study indicates that workplace experience isn’t consistent. Gen Z is least satisfied with how different generations collaborate, with nearly one in five describing intergenerational teamwork negatively. Older workers, particularly Baby Boomers, are far more likely to say everything’s working well. That perception gap gets in the way of innovation. When people don’t feel heard or respected across generational lines, knowledge gets lost, and ideas stall.

Critical knowledge is walking out the door: A study done by the Australian Human Rights Commission & AHRI in 2021 called Employing and Retaining Older Workers highlights the departure of older workers often means decades of know-how vanish overnight. It affects culture, capability and continuity.

Too many leaders are relying on outdated assumptions: Labels like ‘digital natives’ or ‘resistant to change’ don’t hold up. As per Deloitte’s 2020 Global Human Capital Trends report, preferences are more nuanced and shaped as much by role and life stage as by age. What’s needed is deeper listening and better segmentation.

So, Where’s the Opportunity?

Australia’s multigenerational workforce offers strategic value – if leaders lean in.

Research by Griffith University in 2023 confirmed the strength of generational diversity when it’s managed with intention. Leaders who embrace these differences report stronger team performance, more trust, and greater agility during change.

Across sectors, *forward-looking organisations are already acting:

• Bunnings supports older employees through a tailored ‘Retiring Well’ program and offers a ‘Travelling Team Member’ option to pick up casual shifts while travelling across Australia and New Zealand.
• Canva encourages multi-age collaboration through peer learning and informal coaching.
• Unilever adapts workforce planning to reflect evolving social and demographic realities.

These are culture-shaping moves.

*based on what I discovered online. I am sure there are many more Australian firms who do a great job but don’t share as much as they should.

1. Align policies with reality, not rhetoric

Workplaces often signal inclusivity and respect across generations, but policies don’t always back it up. Leaders must audit existing frameworks. from leave policies to learning opportunities to ensure they genuinely meet the needs of different age groups. For example, the Work Foundation reports that older workers may value phased retirement or extended career pathways, while younger staff may expect faster upskilling or social impact in their roles.

2. Create platforms for shared ownership

Too many generational initiatives are top-down or tokenistic. Instead, give employees across age groups the chance to co-design onboarding programs, participate in reverse mentoring, and shape the tools and systems they use. These shared experiences not only improve engagement but also build trust across generational divides. Hierarchy shouldn’t block contribution.

3. Use intelligent segmentation

Segmenting by age is no longer enough. Leverage behavioural and attitudinal data to understand what different segments of your workforce prioritise. Flexibility, security, learning, recognition, and purpose are valuable. As per the 2020 Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends, microsegmentation, long used in marketing, helps tailor internal programs in meaningful ways. From work preferences to personality types, there are many shades to individuals and generations at the workplace. A 55-year-old returning to work and a 28-year-old switching industries may have more in common than you think.

4. Build a system to retain and share experience

Knowledge continuity is business continuity. Don’t wait for exit interviews. According to AHRC & AHRI’s 2021 report, start early with knowledge transfer programs, internal storytelling platforms, and cross-generational mentoring. Crucially, treat mentoring as reciprocal. Gen Z and Millennials can offer digital insight and fresh perspectives, while older staff bring experience, judgement, and historical context.

5. Measure what matters

Track generational engagement, inclusion sentiment, knowledge-sharing activity and collaboration effectiveness, not just generic engagement scores. Regularly assess if your people practices are building trust and reducing generational silos. Use that data to adapt fast.

What’s at Stake?

By 2033, Gen Z and Millennials will form the bulk of the workforce. Generation Alpha will be entering. Older workers will still be contributing. The most successful organisations will be those that engage across this spectrum, without defaulting to stereotypes or shortcuts.

Appealing to one group or another won’t cut it. Designing a workplace where people of all ages thrive together will make the difference.

Are your teams ready? What practices have you experienced that worked? Which firms do a great job?

#multigenerations #GenZ #communication #inclusion #Millennials #GenAlpha #BabyBoomers #GenX #engagement #employeeXP

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Dr. Aniisu K. Verghese is an accomplished communicator and Prosci® Certified Change Management Practitioner, renowned globally for his prowess in internal communications and personal branding. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice for Internal Communications and Personal Branding in 2023, he moved to Australia on a Permanent Residency Visa under the government’s Global Talent Program. With a robust 24-year track record, Aniisu, the IABC APAC Communicator of the Year (2022), has left an indelible mark on the industry. He is a #WeLeadComms honoree and a Strategic Columnist.

Written by: Editor