I Want to Smack My Boss: Exploring the Dynamics of a Multi-Generational Workforce

Today’s workforce is diverse and unique compared to previous generations, a collage of various generations, experiences, backgrounds, and career paths. Degrees of differences between work ethics, work experience, and expectations of how to operate and interact in the workplace (workplace social diplomacy) exist. Unfortunately, these differences are not creating beautiful masterpieces but rather frustrations, anxieties, fears, low morale, and anger.

Organizations find themselves pushed to respond to the market or risk the chance of becoming obsolete in a fast moving and ever changing and demanding environment. The workforce is pushed to move and respond as quickly as possible or suffer the consequence of being absent from the future. Workers who can address immediate needs are promoted quickly but at what cost? This new dynamic gives birth to some unique opportunities in the workplace to expand into new markets, build new skills, and experience working with a global workforce. On the other hand, these changes may also raise issues that cause an uncomfortable or a stressful working environment, causing many to think, “I Want to Smack my Boss.”