Clash of the Generations

All managers must learn the science and art of getting work done through others, and the most successful leaders know they've never learned it all because our world keeps changing. Difficult economic times, longer life spans, and shifting demographics are just some of the factors altering the face of today's workforce, which now spans four generations. Clash of the Generations gives managers, senior leaders, and human resource professionals instructive insight and authoritative guidance for effectively meeting the needs and expectations of team members in every stage of their careers. Whether you're preparing to lead your first team or have led an entire organization for decades, you'll benefit from this eye-opening examination of the working generations, which systematically defines each age group by the lifetime experiences shaping such core beliefs as work ethic, work-life balance, and long-term career goals. With clear caution against stereotyping people by age, this well-grounded work offers valuable insight on the dissimilarities and commonalities among workers of different ages. Through up-to-date research and illustrative, empirical examples from the author's own extensive experience, a clear picture emerges with such positive revelations as:

• Old habits not old people kill innovation, and pairing veteran workers with younger ones has proven to spur innovation at many companies.
• Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and motivating senior team members to develop their skillsets is just as important as mentoring new and mid-career members of the team.
• Employees and managers worry about job stability, and taking part in developing individualized career plans for your talent is a critical way to retain them.

Step by step, this everyday guide outlines how to create a workplace culture in which everyone can maximize his or her contributions to the organization. Keep it at your fingertips for when you need advice on best practices for keeping multigenerational cooperation in mind when setting goals, giving feedback, and distributing rewards; confidently allowing a flexible work schedule that maintains productivity; strategically using communication methods to build unity; and many more tasks and concerns. Finally, you get insiders' perspectives from a diverse cross section of leaders who successfully manage multigenerational workplaces in a variety of industries. Turn age difference into an asset with Clash of the Generations.