Only about five short years ago there was a concern that we would face a serious labor shortage. Baby Boomers were set to retire, leaving millions of jobs to be filled by younger workers. That prediction never came to pass. Instead, the economy tanked and we have workers from all five generations vying for jobs and trying to figure out how to work together.

Job scarcity has created some animosity between the generations. Older workers are concerned about age-discrimination. Younger workers worry that they won’t be able to land good jobs and pay off student loans. And when younger and older employees do work together, it can become a management challenge. A lack of understanding or appreciation for different work styles across the generations often breeds conflict and frustration.

While each generation brings value and unique perspectives, Generation Y is shaping the way we do business.

Ava Diamond, a Fort Collins-based employee engagement expert says, “This generation comes in wanting to add value from day one. They are eager to contribute. They’re ambitious, high-performing, future-oriented, technically-proficient, and goal-focused. They thrive in today’s team-based, highly networked