Generational diversity: a recipe for chaos or success?

Warming up to our Hitachi Energy Diversity 360 Week, starting from October 14, we’ve asked some of our employees about their experiences and views on collaboration with colleagues from different age groups around the world.

Sherry-Xueqing Lu
Power+ Global Trainee
Beijing, China

Can you share a memorable experience of collaborating with people from different generations?

I worked on a project with colleagues from different generations, focusing on improving processes, building a logical map, and creating a dashboard. The younger member contributed fresh, innovative ideas, challenging the status quo. A millennial colleague, with deeper professional knowledge, helped bridge understanding and strengthen collaboration. Another experienced member ensured that the proposed changes were both practical and beneficial. This project showed how collaboration across generations can improve outcomes and foster better teamwork for overall success.

Do you think companies could/should foster a better understanding and collaboration among different generations? And if yes - how?

We must recognize that, beyond generations, different backgrounds like education, nationality, and culture shape how we think and work. To improve collaboration, we should respect each other's opinions and avoid dismissing them right away. Encouraging fun and relaxing activities can help us understand each other’s strengths and foster better teamwork.

Vinicius Rubio
Sales Manager
Guarulhos, Brazil

Can you share a memorable experience of collaborating with people from different generations?

A memorable experience with different generations was during a team project where younger and older colleagues collaborated. Younger members brought creative solutions, while experienced ones provided long-term strategies and problem-solving. This mix of fresh ideas and expertise created a balanced approach, resulting in innovation and reliability. My generation’s strength in adaptability and openness influenced communication and the workflow, ensuring that everyone’s contributions were integrated smoothly. Collaboration across age groups fosters mutual growth and continuous learning, enriching the workplace and maximizing the team’s potential.

Do you think companies could/should foster a better understanding and collaboration among different generations? And if yes - how?

Yes. Diversity boosts innovation, problem-solving, and work culture. Companies should encourage mentorship, pairing younger and experienced employees for knowledge-sharing. We should focus on forming cross-generational teams to leverage strengths from all age groups and offer training on generational diversity to reduce stereotypes and foster respect. Also promote open communication where different age groups can share ideas and feedback.

Anu Käräjämäki
Global SCM Regulatory Compliance Project Manager
Vaasa, Finland

Can you share a memorable experience of collaborating with people from different generations?

I've had many memorable experiences working with different generations, some younger and some older. What stands out is that personality and humor are more important than factors like age, gender, or nationality. It’s always enlightening to listen and learn from different viewpoints on the same subject.

One of my first memorable moments was a dinner with trainers who were 20 years older than me. I was uncertain at first, but it turned into an amazing evening full of laughter and great conversation. We discussed books, movies, hobbies, and work, and I realized we had much more in common than I expected. Now, as part of a mentoring program, I enjoy talking with younger people. I admire their courage, their fresh outlook on life, and how open they are to changes in today’s rapidly changing world.

Do you think companies could/should foster a better understanding and collaboration among different generations? And if yes - how?

Companies should value overall diversity when building teams. It’s important to hire people who not only fit the role but also fit the team. Ideally, teams should have diversity in gender, age, nationality, and skills, with different personalities that complement each other.

Shylendra Kumar C M
Head of Global Power Quality Engineering Center (COE)
Bangalore, India

Can you share a memorable experience of collaborating with people from different generations?

Early in my career in the 90s, “there is no substitute for hard work” was the standard mindset for success, and I worked long hours, many times on Sundays, to impress my senior colleagues and leaders. A debate about switching to a five-day workweek initially failed but eventually succeeded with the arrival of younger professionals, whose "smart work" approach, aided by technology advancement, led to impact on processes and productivity, and eventually to a faster business growth.

Diversity across age groups is crucial for team success. Younger professionals contribute fresh, innovative ideas, while middle-aged and older colleagues offer long term thinking, strategic orientation, and experience with identifying risks and failure potential. Over time, I found that I could help bridge these perspectives, combining innovation with strategic depth. This balance created stronger team dynamics and helped us navigate challenges more effectively for sustained success.

Do you think companies could/should foster a better understanding and collaboration among different generations? And if yes - how?

We need team members who can bridge generations, ensuring diverse teams work at their full potential. Allowing young talents to observe senior meetings and offer suggestions could surprise us. Breaking generational barriers should be a key people management focus, with workshops and training bringing innovative ideas to foster collaboration across age groups.

If you are an existing employee – visit our Diversity 360 intranet page for more information, resources, guidelines and more employee stories.

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