By Seth Rhodebeck (AL)

Chad Finke, Court Executive Officer for the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, shared his insights on the challenges of and strategies for managing a multigenerational workforce, drawing from his experience as a Gen X leader born in 1971.  Addressing a diverse audience of primarily Boomers and Millennials — reflective of appellate court clerks nationwide — Finke emphasized the importance of understanding the unique perspectives shaped by each generation’s formative experiences.  Finke acknowledged that generational labels are mere reference points that help engage a multigenerational workforce and, perhaps, provide a framework for analyzing how life stages influence workplace dynamics. Finke cautioned against overemphasizing generational labels, advocating instead for a focus on individual needs to foster a cohesive and effective team.

To navigate the complexities of a workforce spanning up to five generations, Finke highlighted flexibility — both personally and organizationally — as a cornerstone of effective leadership. He urged leaders to adopt varied communication styles to best connect with their employees and to embrace organizational innovations such as remote work, alternative schedules, and social media recruitment. By leading with empathy, conducting “stay” interviews — instead of exit interviews once an employee has already decided to leave — to understand employee motivations, and implementing restorative conflict resolution practices, leaders can bridge generational divides. Finke’s approach underscores the shared values across generations, encouraging managers to respect diverse expressions of those values to build an inclusive and dynamic workplace.