Patrick Dunne and Rebecca Robins, co-authors of Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good, explore the dynamics of multigenerational collaboration in today’s world

Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

In this engaging episode, Patrick Dunne and Rebecca Robins delve into the fascinating and timely subject of multigenerational organizations, drawn from insights in their book Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good.

For the first time in history, we have five distinct generations working concurrently across organizations globally, presenting both challenges and immense opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and social impact.

Dunne and Robins argue that the current generational discourse has become reductive, often fixated on stereotypes that do little to foster understanding or promote synergy. Instead, they propose a new narrative that embraces the strengths of every generation — whether it be Gen Z's agility and digital fluency or the seasoned wisdom and reflective thinking that older workers offer. They emphasize the importance of shifting from an "either-or" mindset that pits generations against each other to a "both-and" approach that maximizes the contributions of all age groups.

The authors highlight key findings from six years of research, drawing on extensive interviews and case studies from diverse global organizations like LVMH, Mars and the EY Foundation. These organizations have successfully integrated intergenerational dynamics to not only solve internal business challenges but also to drive positive social outcomes.

They also discuss various models of collaboration, such as NextGen boards, which have proven effective in creating an inclusive environment where different generations can share leadership and decision-making roles.

The episode also touches on how different cultures define generations and how these definitions impact workplace dynamics. From the post-apartheid "Born Free" generation in South Africa to the "9X" generation in Vietnam, the authors provide a nuanced understanding of how context shapes generational identities.

Dunne and Robins conclude with a call to action, urging leaders to recognize the unique moment we are living through — where the convergence of generations presents a "renaissance" of sorts. Instead of framing generational differences as a source of tension, leaders should see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to foster collaboration and drive collective progress, not only within organizations but across broader societal challenges like climate change, inequality, and technological disruption.

This thought-provoking discussion reframes how we should think about multigenerational workplaces, encouraging a more optimistic and pragmatic view that underscores the power of collaboration across ages to "win together for good."

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