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Pro Way Development
April 2014 
 
 
Conflicts around scheduling, communication and meetings can lead to organizational distress.  Some of these conflicts are caused by generational differences. 

 

The four generations currently working together are known as:

  • Veterans or Traditionalists (1900-1945)
  • Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
  • Generation X (1965-1980)
  • Gen Y or Millennials (1981-1999)

A recent Harvard Business Review article found that generations in the workplace conflict in the following areas:

  • Choosing where and when to work - in an office vs. anytime
  • Communicating among team members - in person vs. online
  • Meeting - scheduled or spontaneous  

By 2020 Gen Y is expected to form almost half of the workforce. Like any other grouping of people, no member of a generation is a stereotype; however "in addition to coincidence of birth, a generation is also defined by common tastes, attitudes, and experience...."

 

What impacted the lives of Millennials?

 

Millennials are living in a high-tech, neo-optimistic time. They appreciate diversity because they have been exposed to many different types of people through travel, daycare, technology, and the media. Some of the major events that formed them were:

 

*        Y2K

*        September 11

*        Homeland Security

*        Iraq War

*        Hurricane Katrina/Indonesian tsunami

 

 Bring Out the Best in Millenials - Tips 
  • Build a relationship - they want more day to day interaction
  • Understand the need for speed
  • Learn to speak "tech"
  • Give fast feedback - the sooner the better and the more specific the better.
  • Be prepared for them to push back
  • Listen to their ideas  

What else do they want?

  • Less hierarchy
  • More Teamwork
  • Fun - work is their second home 

Consider two-way mentoring: partner younger and older workers together. As Baby Boomers retire a partnership with younger workers would help retain institutional knowledge. Millenials can also bring new ideas, a comfort with technology and insight into a new generations of customers. It is a win-win!

 

 Need More Help Managing Generations? 
 

Contact Pro Way Development for cost-effective programs on managing across generations as well as a variety of soft skills training and coaching so that you, your team and your organization have the ability to reach your financial goals.

 

Sincerely Logo

 

Laura Jacob

 

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203.961.0227

laura@prowaydevelopment.com 

 Pro Way Development

 

Pro Way Development is your source for employee training, executive coaching and meeting management.

 

Our services include:

  • Training to increase employee skills
  • Consulting services to manage employee relations issues
  • Meeting facilitation services so you can focus on your content
  • HR advice to motivate the right behaviors for profit and growth.  

To learn more about

Pro Way Development, please visit our website.

 About Laura Jacob

 

Laura works with companies to ensure that their business plan includes a plan give employees and leaders the skills to communicate, manage and lead the organization to drive business growth.  

 

 

In addition to holding degrees in Psychology and Industrial Relations, Laura is certified as a Professional in Human Resources and a 6 Sigma Greenbelt. 

She is a requested speaker on time management, management fundamentals and working across generations.

Laura's teaching and facilitation style is highly interactive and ensures engagement of participants and the transmission of learning. Participants describe her as "keeps things fun, interesting, stays on task and is very learned and knowledgeable about the subject matter," and "able to engage even those hesitant to participate." 



She is also adjunct faculty at the University of Bridgeport and Manhattanville colleges where she teaches adult undergraduates and graduates on a variety of management topics. 
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