The Great Divide Multi Generations at Work
Much like our gender, sexuality and ethnicity
distinguish us so to does our generational identity.
Never before has the workplace housed four
significantly different generations with competing
values and views often resulting in a clash.
The ongoing success of any organisation requires them to
look beyond this clash and leverage multi-generational
perspectives to everyone s benefit.
Below are some suggested strategies to bridge the gap
across the generations and ensuring that an organisation
accesses the best that each generation brings to the work
place.
| THE GENERATIONS |
| 1922 - 1945 The Veterans |
| 1945 - 1963 Baby Boomers |
| 1964 - 1979 Generation X |
| 1980 - 2000 Generation Y or
Nexters |
1. Keep an open mind. Just because one colleague doesn't
share another s work ethic doesn t make them a workaholic
or at the other end of the spectrum, lazy.
For example:
Generation Y may seem slack to a Baby Boomer. Perhaps
it s because they haven t seen work and life balance in their
parents and don t want that for themselves.
2. Adapt Training styles. Veterans are aware that they may
be more technologically challenged than later generations
so are more likely to prefer
one-on-one computer training
than self managed E-learning
suited to later generations.
3. Be careful what you say and
more importantly how you say it. Clashes in generations often
are the result of miscommunications in tone and language style. When giving broadcast
communication test it with all generations first.
4. Leverage off diversity. Effective teams leverage off generational differences to better
understand their clients and customers and ultimately produce better results. Your teams can
provide you with ready made focus groups!
Of course individualism is a key factor in groups but you may be surprised how generations
play a significant role. |
Personally speaking
New assistant
My old personal assistant is my
new assistant. Alison Goode is
back with Happening People. So if
you have an urgent matter and you
are unable to contact me please call
Alison on 0439 415 395 and she will
be able to find me or any HP
consultant.
Bonus for existing clients
From 1st July 2008 we will no longer
charge travel expenses (flights etc)
for consulting in Australia and NZ
for existing clients. This will be a
significant saving in your budgets
when consulting is 2 days or more.
New offices
The first person to find our new
offices in Adelaide and email us
(full address and building
description) will receive a
Professional Development pack
complete with books, our cool caps
and Happening People pens which
everyone loves.
Kind regards, Sam
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