Salesforce Equality Group Leader on the Effects of Generational Bias

Editor's note: This story is part of an ongoing series to spotlight our Equality Groups and how they serve Salesforce employees globally. Check out previous interviews with the leaders of Indigenousforce, Outforce, Asiapacforce, Southasiaforce, and Earthforce.

Genforce is a Salesforce Equality Group dedicated to representing all five generations in today's workforce by connecting employees across all ages and combatting age discrimination. The group helps build community and bridges understanding of employees' needs, perspectives, and challenges across every life stage and career journey.

We spoke with Nayana Kadiyala, a customer success manager at Salesforce and the Global President of Genforce, who shared what we can learn from different generational perspectives and why we should all challenge ourselves to be lifelong learners.

Q. How did you first hear about Genforce and how did you get involved at the leadership level?

Many of us have experienced ageism at some point in our careers. I've faced assumptions and discriminatory comments about my own capabilities based on my age. We also know that individuals at various stages of life have different needs at work and at home.

A few years ago, I wanted to challenge age-related misconceptions and promote age diversity and inclusion at work. I heard about Genforce and was inspired to bring it to India. With the support of executive sponsors, I launched the Genforce India hub in 2022, and have now served on the global leadership team since 2023.

Q. What are some of the misconceptions about different generations in the workforce?

Across the globe, unconscious biases lead to assumptions about what people are capable of based on their age. Someone may assume that older people are not tech-savvy or innovative, or younger people react too quickly or don't want to work hard. One common perception is that career progression would eventually lead to a people leader role. For example, if an individual contributor is 10 to 15 years into their career, there can be a misperception that the individual is unambitious.

The effects of generational bias are prevalent across all career stages, but in reality, members of each generation have different perspectives and strengths that they bring to the table. Genforce looks to break down stereotypes and create an environment where we can embrace our differences and learn from each other.

The effects of generational bias are widespread across all career stages, but members of each generation have different perspectives and strengths that they bring to the table.

Nayana Kadiyala, Customer Success manager and the Global President of Genforce at Salesforce

Q. Can you share an example of how Genforce has made an impact on our business?

We focus most of our energy on awareness and education. One of my favorite examples of creating more awareness is a campaign we launched called "Age Is Just A Number." We asked employees to share their thoughts and personal experiences about someone who's inspired them and challenged their perception of age personally or professionally. It helped open people's eyes to the discrimination that occurs in every demographic.

We also hosted an unconscious bias workshop with the Salesforce Office of Equality in India. The goal of the workshop was to help managers who lead employees in different age groups recognize the age-related biases they can carry and address them. Confronting these biases head-on allows us to create a more inclusive environment for all.

Education also allows us to help employees prepare for the challenges they may face at various life stages. For example, we regularly host sessions on financial literacy to help employees manage student loans, learn how to budget for major purchases, and save for retirement.

Nayana Kadiyala with some of her Genforce Global Leadership Team at the annual Global Equality Leadership Summit (GELS) and at a Genforce community event where members visited a home for older adults.

Q. What are you focused on this year?

Implementing cross-generational mentoring and reverse mentoring is our focus. The idea is to bring together small groups of people from different generations to learn about each others' strengths and the challenges they face. This small-group format allows different generations to connect, learn from each other, create intergenerational friendships, and combat generational loneliness.

Q. How do you encourage members of Genforce?

I encourage members of Genforce to be intentionally age-inclusive and to be lifelong learners. There's no right age to start a new chapter in your life, and no role is defined by age. We can always take on a new challenge, embrace our failures, and have the courage to restart - regardless of our age.

I encourage members of Genforce to be intentionally age-inclusive and to be lifelong learners.

Nayana Kadiyala, Customer Success manager and the Global President of Genforce at Salesforce

Q. Could you share what activations Genforce has planned for this month?

Our theme is "Embrace All Ages, Amplify All Voices" and through programming, we'll have conversations and events highlighting every generation's strengths.

This includes an event with Genforce exec advisors on the theme "Beyond Mentorship: Sponsorship for Career for Advancement" followed by a cross-generational mentoring program. Another event will focus on building careers in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We'll welcome Salesforce futurist Peter Coffee to share how we can continue to grow, develop, and shift our careers as technology advances.

Q. What's the most surprising thing you've learned in your time as a leader?

I've really enjoyed the opportunity to meet with senior executives and learn from them. I've learned that our executives are approachable and want to help us in our pursuit of building a more inclusive workplace for all generations. Being an Equality Group leader is a wonderful opportunity to learn leadership traits and create an impact!

Getting to Know Nayana

• What is your favorite book on leadership?
  • The Compound Effect is one of my recent favorite reads. It highlights how the power of consistent actions can shift mindsets and help accomplish goals to be successful. This book reminds me of my favorite quote: 'A failure to plan is plan to fail.'
• What was your favorite Genforce event?
  • Having the opportunity to moderate a fireside chat with Salesforce India CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya has been a career highlight. She shared so many insights from her inspiring decades-long career, and we had an incredible turnout with more than 600 attendees.
• Outside of your work, what are some of your personal interests or hobbies that bring you joy?
  • I love traveling and exploring new places. I also played chess professionally during my childhood, and I continue to pursue this as my hobby outside of work.

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