What matters, really?
What matters, really?
“We must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world.” - Tony Robbins
What would change if we paused to ask what matters to someone, before deciding what motivates them?
Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with many leaders who are feeling the unique challenges of managing multi-generational teams. Some are navigating how much support “new to the workforce” employees need, while others are noticing that more experienced team members are struggling to relate to younger colleagues. These disconnects—though often subtle—can impact collaboration and workplace harmony.
Workplaces today span four, sometimes five generations. And while that brings a wealth of experience and perspective, it can also bring friction. Research from the Harvard Business Review highlights how assumptions and misunderstandings between age groups often lead to disengagement and missed opportunities. But as I explore in Understood, understanding and feeling understood isn't accidental—it's an intentional practice to shift away from assumptions and biases. And one of the most powerful ways this can be expressed is by making the genuine effort to learn what matters to someone else before deciding what motivates them.
I invite you to consider two ways that you can actively foster understanding across the generations on your team:
1. Invest in building relationships.
Connection creates context. One of the most powerful things we can do is encourage our team members to get curious about each other, not just about what someone does, but what matters to them.
Instead of defaulting to our perceptions and assigning personas - “needy,” “entitled,” “resistant,” “out of touch” - we pause. We learn what truly matters to the person in front of us, rather than letting our assumptions and stereotypes fill in the blanks.
Questions leaders can ask to move past labels and into connection – download here
2. Support peer-to-peer understanding in real time.
Tension and misalignment will happen. But when teams are equipped with respectful, go-to questions to navigate misunderstandings, they can repair and reset quickly.
“Go-To” Questions for Navigating Disconnect – download here
This kind of leadership creates space for understanding—and from that, stronger relationships and better collaboration. Age becomes less of a barrier and more of a bridge.
If you're navigating the complexities of a multi-generational team, know that you're not alone, and support is here when you're ready.
-Maria
