Multigenerational Teams in the Wild: Bridging Age Gaps with Experiential Learning
- sofie9022
- 36 minutes ago
- 3 min read

In today’s workplace, it’s possible to have five generations working side by side, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z. It’s the most age-diverse workforce in history, bringing together a wealth of perspectives, skills, and experiences. But this diversity also presents challenges. Communication styles vary. Decision-making approaches differ. Even the tools we instinctively reach for can be generations apart.
At Teamscapes, we’ve seen first-hand that these differences don’t have to divide us. In fact, when approached the right way, they can become one of a team’s greatest strengths.
The key? Experiential learning.
Why Experiential Learning Brings Generations Together
Experiential learning moves teams beyond the meeting room and into hands-on, real-world challenges. It’s not about reading theory or sitting through slides, it’s about doing. And when you do, you discover that:
Titles and hierarchies fade when everyone is working toward the same goal.
Hidden strengths emerge as people contribute in ways the workplace doesn’t always reveal.
Mutual respect grows when team members see each other’s expertise in action.
For multigenerational teams, this is a game changer.
And it’s not just people who benefit from this approach. Across the planet, animals also thrive in multigenerational groups. Wolves, for example, are strongest when the entire pack works together. Older wolves know the territory, the trails, and the risks. Younger wolves bring speed, agility, and energy. It’s not about “what I know” but “what we know”, the collective wisdom of the pack that ensures survival.
Into the Wild: Blending Skills in Action
Picture this: your team is tasked with finding a route to a remote location. You have both a paper map and a GPS device.
The digital natives quickly map out the route using the GPS.
The more experienced navigators read the terrain on the paper map, spotting challenges the GPS doesn’t show.
Together, they create the most efficient route, combining speed with insight.
This is the power of experiential learning: an environment where modern tools and traditional methods both have value, and where blending skills across generations produces better results than either could achieve alone.
Just like in the wolf pack, the strength of the team lies not in any single perspective, but in how different viewpoints are combined before decisions are made.
The Role of Reflection
At Teamscapes, we know the challenge itself is only half the story. The real transformation happens in the structured reflection that follows.
In these debrief sessions:
Younger team members share fresh, sometimes unconventional ideas.
Older team members provide context and lessons drawn from experience.
Everyone leaves with a deeper understanding of how different perspectives complement each other.
It’s this combination of experience and insight that turns an activity into lasting behavioural change.
Practical Tips for Leaders
If you want to help a multigenerational team thrive, here are three ways to make experiential learning count:
Rotate leadership roles – Give different generations the chance to lead activities.
Pair skills with purpose – Match technical expertise with strategic thinking.
Make time for the debrief – Use reflection to turn actions into lasting learning.
Final Thoughts
Generational diversity isn’t a barrier to success, it’s an asset. By taking teams “into the wild” whether that’s an outdoor challenge, a simulated problem, or a creative task, you create opportunities for authentic connection and mutual learning.
Just as wolves rely on the strength of the whole pack, organisations thrive when every generation contributes its unique skills and knowledge. At Teamscapes, we design experiential learning programmes that unlock the best in every generation, helping organisations build stronger, more adaptable, and more united teams.
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