Intergenerational Collaboration

This introductory-level program explores strategies for working on multigenerational teams. Through familiar workplace scenarios, it encourages learners to identify and challenge negative age-based biases and deepens their understanding of generational experiences. This program was co-developed with Natasha Sharma, founder & CEO of Power In Progress, certified life and business coach, wellness specialist, and DEI leader. It builds foundational awareness of generational challenges, viewpoints, and strengths while also emphasizing shared values.

TOPIC: Collaboration

LEVEL: Introductory

Core Skills & Behaviours

Communicate empathetically: Validate diverse perspectives, avoid minimizing lived experiences, and build connections based on shared values rather than playing “who has it worse”.
Recognize and combat generational bias: Prioritize age diversity in hiring, promotion, and team building. Gently push back on generational stereotypes by stating their impact.
Foster cross-generational connections: Engage in formal or informal two-way mentoring, cross-functional projects, peer-to-peer learning, and knowledge sharing sessions to build connections and leverage generational strengths.
Take a person-first approach: Balance an understanding of generational challenges with a person-first approach to avoid hurtful assumptions and stereotyping.
Get comfortable with “Why?”: Interrogate the purpose and rationale behind existing policies and practices to discover shared values and engage everyone in systemic change.

	Snippet Title	Topic Covered
1	Can She Catch Up?	Demonstrates that technological change is something that will affect all workers over time and that it’s important to not make age-based generalizations about who is able to adapt.
2	I Put In My Time	Illustrates that each generation has faced specific challenges. When issues arise, validating employees’ perspectives can help diffuse the tension.
3	Who Should We Hire?	Demonstrates that generational bias can creep into hiring decisions, and that skills-based hiring can lead to more balanced teams.
4	Set in His Ways	Illustrates how confirmation bias exacerbates intergenerational conflicts and how it’s important to challenge assumptions when they come up.
5	If I Had Done That	Demonstrates that while different generations have experienced different challenges, there is room for validating these different perspectives.
6	A Great Idea	Shows how managers can rethink traditional mentorship hierarchies to encourage more intergenerational collaboration.
7	Just Be Here	Explores the concept of the “sandwich generation” and presents flexible working arrangements as accommodations. Presents practical ways to build team cohesion and social bonds.
8	Thank You Note	Shows how to navigate tension around generational expectations of politeness and deference.
9	Call Me, Maybe	Illustrates that in cross-generational teams, managers should negotiate methods of communication and establish clear etiquette for tools.
10	The “Me” Generation	Demonstrates that intergenerational disagreement can lead to re-evaluating the status quo and developing more inclusive policies that benefit everyone.

Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Natasha Sharma

Founder & CEO Power In Progress | MA, Public Administration | Life & Business Coach | DEI Leader

Natasha Sharma is a certified Life and Business Coach, Wellness Specialist, and visionary DEI Leader with over a decade of experience advancing social justice and wellness. As Founder & CEO of Power In Progress Inc., a global consultancy, she helps individuals and organizations unlock their potential through inclusive, purpose-driven strategies. Natasha holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Liverpool and is recognized for transforming complex challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth. Her work—rooted in authenticity, empowerment, and systems thinking—drives lasting change at the intersection of equity, leadership, and transformation.