Bridging Generations: A Workshop on Cultivating Intergenerational Servant Leadership in the Workplace

Bridging Generations: A Workshop on Cultivating Intergenerational Servant Leadership in the Workplace

Kiera Phillips | 2025

Abstract

Now more than ever, the workplace is inundated with people from many different generations. Gen Z has fully begun to enter the workplace, and the struggle with adjustment is noticeable. Leaders struggle to connect with their younger followers, and new hires struggle to communicate with coworkers who have been in the workforce longer than them. This has created unnecessary conflict, and a significant disconnect that keeps organizations disunified.

The Bridging Generations workshop addresses bias among generations and each generation’s needs while promoting servant leadership and an “others first” approach to change an organization’s culture. The workshop promotes teamwork and provides opportunities for service within the organization’s community, ultimately showing organizations that the only way they can succeed is if they are united in their values and culture. Bridging Generations also allows organizations to practically apply aspects of intergenerational servant leadership to scenarios they would face on a typical day. This workshop was designed to last three days but can be adjusted as needed.

The research elements of this project focused on a practical basis for servant leadership, issues between generations, and ways to change an organization’s culture to better represent the organization’s values and what those within the organization are working toward. Bridging Generations attempts to reduce the gap between generations and create workplaces that benefit people from all generations.

Keywords: servant leadership, intergenerational servant leadership, workshop, multi-generation, age groups, organizational culture, unification