Bridging Generations: Cultivating Empathy and Compassion in the Workplace (P24114)

Client/Industry: Multinational Organisation
Attendees: Managers
No of attendees: 800

Duration: 2 and a Half Hour
Mode of delivery: Virtual Workshop
Date: November 2024 – November 2024

The Challenge:

The organisation was navigating a workplace that, like many others today, had become increasingly multigenerational. Within a single team, it wasn’t unusual to see Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z working side by side, where each bringing their own values, communication styles, and expectations around work. While this diversity offered rich opportunities for innovation and learning, it also created tension. Misunderstandings were common, and assumptions often went unspoken. What one generation viewed as initiative, another might see as overstepping. What felt like efficiency to some came across as impersonal to others.

Managers found themselves caught in the middle. They were expected to lead with clarity, but also to act as translators between generations balancing structure with flexibility, directness with sensitivity. Many struggled to create environments where all voices felt heard and respected. Empathy and psychological safety weren’t just nice-to-have values, they were essential for building trust and keeping teams connected. Yet few managers had been equipped with the tools to lead in this way, especially when faced with conflicting communication styles or unspoken generational bias.

The organisation knew that in order to move forward, it couldn’t ignore these dynamics. It needed to support its managers by giving them the skills and space to practise it. They wanted a learning experience that could help managers better understand the people they lead, build stronger connections across age groups, and foster a team culture grounded in compassion, trust, and mutual respect.

This workshop was eye-opening. The activities helped me understand my biases and build stronger connections with my team. The practical tools, especially the GROW model, are already making a difference in how I approach conversations with colleagues across generations.

The Solutions:

PPEARL designed and delivered an interactive virtual workshop titled “Bridging Generations: Cultivating Empathy and Compassion in the Workplace.” This 2.5-hour session focused on practical strategies for building stronger interpersonal relationships and creating an inclusive environment. The workshop featured:

• Empathy & compassion as a bridge: Activities such as the “Just Like Me Practice” and “Values & Beliefs” exercises encouraged participants to deepen their understanding of others’ perspectives.

•The power of psychological safety: Using tools like anonymous safety ratings and “Mirroring & Modelling,” managers learned how to foster environments where team members can express themselves without fear of judgement.

•Resilience and positive mindset transformation: The GROW Coaching Model and Non-Violent Communication techniques helped participants transform negative thinking patterns and foster a culture of compassion.

• Practical stress management techniques: Mindfulness breathing exercises and a personalised digital reset plan equipped managers with actionable tools to manage stress and encourage well-being within their teams.

The Impact:

The workshop made a meaningful difference for the managers who attended. By the end of the session, 91% of participants reported feeling more confident in their ability to foster psychological safety and lead teams with greater awareness of generational dynamics. Many shared that they had entered the session unsure of how to address the subtle tensions that often arise in multigenerational teams, but left with a clearer understanding of what inclusion looks like in practice.

The hands-on activities brought the learning to life. Rather than relying on theory, the session gave participants a chance to engage in conversations, reflect on their own assumptions, and try out new tools in a supportive setting. The GROW coaching model stood out as one of the most impactful takeaways, where managers appreciated how it helped structure conversations around growth and accountability in a way that felt respectful and empowering. Likewise, the stress management exercises helped participants not only understand their own triggers, but also recognise how pressure can affect different team members in different ways.

800

managers joined
91%

increased confidence in promoting generational collaboration
100%

received digital reset tools for managing stress

PPEARL's Promise:

At PPEARL, we believe that diversity is a strength. Our Bridging Generations workshop empowers managers to lead with empathy, foster trust, and create workplaces where every generation thrives. We equip leaders with the tools to turn differences into opportunities for collaboration and innovation.