Top tips for managing a multigenerational hospitality team

The success of a team does rely a fair deal on good management. You could have the most brilliant people, a clear company vision and loyal customers, but if the manager isn’t quite sure what role they’d play, the team will never be at their best.

On the flip side, take an inspiring manager and a dedicated group of people and you've got your absolute dream team. That's not to say managing is easy. You've got to rally everyone together and make sure that the team is firing from all cylinders. This gets tricky when you think that the team is made up of a group of individuals, each with their own personality. And then you factor in that you've got the five different generations that are actively working, from the Silent Generation to Gen Z, and you realise just how many factors managers need to keep in mind.

A recent survey found that only 6% of people believe their management team has the right skills and knowledge to lead a multigenerational team. And that's just not enough. So, we want to share some of our top tips for managing a multigenerational hospitality team.

Be aware of stereotypes

There are both 'good' and 'bad' stereotypes for all generations. The Baby Boomers are said to be workaholics, whilst the Millenials are said to crave feedback. But when you think about it, can you lump a group of people of a similar age into one category and put a stamp on them that represents every single person? No.

One study even found there were very small differences between generations. So if there is one thing to keep in mind when managing your hospitality team, it should be to treat everyone as an individual. A considerate hospitality leader is aware of the different challenges each generation faces or the unique views they're likely to have.

Avoid a one-size-fits-all

Around 9 in 10 talent professionals agreed that a multigenerational team is a really powerful thing for a company. But if you're going to harness that power, you need to get to know your team members on an individual level.

Just because two people in your team are in a similar age category, that doesn't mean they learn a new menu in the same way or that they'll both be motivated by an early finish. Be open to new ways of managing. And if you try something and it doesn't work, mix it up again!

Remember that growth and development are important to everyone

It's easy to get caught up in thinking that someone's career will mean different things to them at different stages of their lives. But a generation can span three decades, so we're talking about a big age difference. Plus, remember what we said about thinking about every person on their own level? This is especially important when it comes to developing your kitchen team or waiting staff. After all, you want to get the best out of them! And that's what makes a hospitality manager role so rewarding.

Generation X might have established careers, but that's not to say they're not looking for new opportunities and would turn down the offer of a management apprenticeship. And Generation Z, while inexperienced, are eager to prove themselves. Watch out for that young chef that handles the heat of the kitchen like a pro, and think how you could fast-track their progress.

Encourage everyone to learn from each other

We can't overlook the fact that people from different generations will have different experiences and ways of looking at things. Just as any good hospitality manager shouldn't treat generations differently, they shouldn't overlook these differences. You'll have seasoned hospitality workers that can help newcomers learn the ropes. And, there will be chefs in your team that have spent years learning the tricks of the trade and might benefit from being shown a new trick or two.

Come and show us that you can lead a hospitality team to success

Have you got what it takes to manage a multigenerational team? Well, our teams happen to be made up of many generations. In fact, we pride ourselves on having diverse teams, made up of people of all backgrounds, sexual orientations and ethnicities. You might just be perfect for the role!

And, we make sure that our benefits are designed to suit everyone, from Shift Supervisors to General Managers and Kitchen Team Leaders to Head Chefs. So don't forget to browse our benefits after you've checked out our latest jobs.