Whether you are managed or managing, leading or following, knowing a bit about how to successfully navigate the generational divide will take you far. The American workplace may contain as many as five generations, each one distinct and proud for good reason. In the absence of understanding, generational myopia has the power to cause entire generations to turn off or tune out. Innoculate yourself from myopic vision by spending an hour reading Meagan and Larry Johnson’s Generations, Inc. Prepare to take notes.
Five reasons to download or reserve this book today:
Guideposts Explained: Cultural or historical events happen to everyone but hold different meaning across the generations. The authors define the importance of guideposts, list them for each generation and use a prism of sorts to show how a single event can be viewed differently.
Generational Profiles: With maturity, major events and national surveys, generational likes and dislikes sometimes shift in unpredictable ways. This 2010 book is a fresh, “new economy” look at how each generation values work, money, time, independence and other aspects of daily life.
Tips on Managing: Succinct, practical advice for young managers supervising baby boomers and vice versa! The authors also provide four basic principles for managing across the generations:
- There is no truth.
- Everyone is different.
- The one with the most tools wins.
- Mutual reciprocity (you get what you give)
Managing “Modes:” Think instead of the different hats a manager must wear when bringing together work groups that are made up from different generations. From collaborator to persuader, this book helps you sharpen your senses for when to be which.
Steps for Resolving Conflict: Solid advice, not too different from what your mother may have provided, but these authors make it memorable and methodical.
Works on generational differences generally have short lifespans on the bookshelf. What else should leaders, particularly emerging leaders, be reading?
