“Lost in Translation”: how experienced contractors can adapt and lead multigenerational teams

How can experienced or “seasoned” contractors bridge the experience and communication gaps and foster a productive, collaborative work environment with younger co-workers?

Let’s say a highly experienced IT consultant called Sam, who possesses a wealth of technical knowledge is struggling to connect with the younger members of the project team. Sam accustomed to a more formal, directive communication style, often comes across as aloof and unapproachable to his younger, more collaborative colleagues. This disconnect is leading to misinterpretations, stifled creativity, and impacting project delivery.

Sam’s experience is not uncommon. Many experienced professionals, who’ve built successful careers in a more traditional work environment, find themselves navigating the complexities of today’s multigenerational workforce. But as most industries rapidly evolve, so must its contractors to get the most out of every project and build productive collaborative teams.

What’s changed?

Sam realises the modern workplace (on and offline) is vastly different from the one he started in. He will have witnessed it in previous assignments, but what if the team he is now working with has a mix of experience and is much younger than him? What can he expect and how can he adapt?

Workplace culture: Today’s workplaces are more agile, collaborative, and less hierarchical. Younger professionals expect to have a voice, contribute ideas, and be involved in decision-making.

Communication styles: Younger generations, having grown up in the digital age, often prefer quick, informal communication channels like Slack or Microsoft Teams. They may also be more comfortable with open feedback and less receptive to traditional, top-down communication styles.

How to adapt and thrive

Be open-minded: The IT industry, for example, is in perpetual evolution, with new AI apps and methodologies emerging at breakneck speed. Embrace these changes and be willing to learn from colleagues with different perspectives and experiences. Ask for their professional opinions.

• Example: Instead of dismissing a colleague’s suggestion about adopting a new cloud-based solution, you could say, “That sounds promising. Can you walk me through the potential benefits and how it could streamline our current processes?”

Be a mentor: Share your wealth of knowledge and experience with your colleagues. This not only helps them develop their skills but also builds trust and respect.

• Example: An experienced professional could take a colleague under their wing, explaining the intricacies of a legacy system or sharing insights about navigating complex client relationships.

Be a team player: Focus on collaboration and building positive relationships with all team members, regardless of their background or experience level.

• Example: Instead of dictating solutions, facilitate brainstorming sessions, saying, “Let’s gather everyone’s ideas on how we can tackle this..”

Adapt your communication style: Be mindful of your communication style and adapt it to foster inclusivity and understanding.

• Example: Instead of relying solely on formal email communication, use instant messaging or project management tools to keep team members updated and engaged.

Building a successful team is about more than just delivering projects on time and within budget. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and motivated to contribute their best.

By bridging the experience gap, experienced contractors aged 50 and older can not only enhance project outcomes but also leave a lasting legacy of mentorship and collaboration.

This could lead to great feedback to your recruiter and even lead to future or extended engagements with the same company and team.