A Collision of Generations

The Reality

We have four separate and distinct generations working (or conflicting) in every office, department, and industry in America today, and each generation leads, works, sells, and is motivated by almost completely different factors: 

• The Traditionalists – with work ethics shaped by the Great Depression, this generation simply works hard and remains loyal and dedicated.
• The Baby Boomers – inspired by money and success, this generation finds its ambitions fueled by optimism and networking savvy.
• The Generation X’ers - finding a balance between multiple jobs and a healthy skepticism of the “system," this generation takes the pragmatic approach to work and life.
• The Millenials (or Gen Y) – bringing a sense of social conscience and newness to the workplace, this younger generation knows only a life surrounded by fast-paced technological advances.

Your company’s productivity, performance, and bottom line are on the line as the generations stare (or glare) at each other from across the table. 

The Solution

What everyone needs is a common vocabulary, a frame of reference, and a way to understand the differences between generations in how each prefers to lead, be managed, and serve the client. It seems most companies these days need a series of training programs that will do just that – give everyone in your organization a way to bridge the gaps in a leadership, co-worker, and service-oriented approach.

 

The most underserved areas of these generational gaps are listed below: 

Leading Across the Generation Gap

• Understanding the differences between generational styles and motivations
• Creating real-life strategies to smoothly manage, retain, and communicate from one generation to the next (regardless of whether it is young to old or old to young)
• Looking ahead to transitions of leadership in the coming years

From “Old Fart to Upstart” – Team Building Across the Generational Gap

• Defining the major cultural, professional, and social values for each generation
• Designing a roadmap to link generations together for the sake of the business bottom line
• Setting the company standard of dress code, behavior, and workplace mannerisms

The New Generations of Customer Service

• Honoring the differences in what customers of each generation expect as a standard of service
• Developing a working plan for each employee (regardless of generation) to effectively work with every client
• Accepting service as the “king” and maintaining excellence across the generations

The next few weeks of articles will deal with each of these areas individually and provide answers to some of the biggest questions businesses have concerning how to lead, follow, and serve the generational gap.

For tips to effectively train your people and streamline your organization, and for other solutions to your employee development challenges, visit www.traininginabox.com. Sign up for your free newsletter at www.quicktrainingsolutions.com to make your HR training and development life easier. Corey Nielsen designs and delivers innovative and effective training solutions for businesses through NTG, his business development and training company.

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