Generations at Work…Then and Now
No matter how long you’ve been in the workforce, surely you’ve witnessed disagreements and misunderstandings occur among employees. Have you ever wondered what’s at the heart of these differing perspectives?
Roughly fifteen years ago, Robin Throckmorton, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (President and Founder, Strategic HR) and Linda Gravett, PhD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CEQC (Senior Partner, Gravett and Associates) set out to understand these differences in work and life perspectives. Through their research, they discovered that people’s perspectives and preferences were strongly aligned with the generation they represent. In their book, Bridging the Generation Gap, Throckmorton and Gravett shared what they learned about the five generations in the workplace. Learn more about the book below.
But what about today?
What changes have occurred in attitudes, behaviors, and preferences among the generations at work since Throckmorton’s and Gravett’s original research? That’s what our team at Strategic HR wanted to know when we launched our 2021 Survey on the Generations.
Our new findings address five key areas of research:
- Formative Years & Personal Happiness
- Job Search, Workplace Preferences, & Motivation
- Remote Work Preferences
- Bothersome Characteristics of Other Generations
- What Each Generation Wants You to Know
Discover how a multigenerational workplace can thrive…
Bridging the Generation Gap: How to Get Radio Babies, Boomers, Gen Xers, and Gen Yers to Work Together and Achieve More
What generation are you part of? What about your boss or co-workers? How do different generations impact your workplace?
In Bridging the Generation Gap, HR experts and members of different generations share real-life examples as they recommend solutions to minimize conflict, miscommunication, and wasted energy between the generations. They also explore what members of each different generation think of their group, how they want others to view them, and what they think about other age groups.
This book, written by Robin Throckmorton, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP and Linda Gravett, PhD, SPHR, is filled with strategies and solutions that are easy to implement, helping you to immediately build bridges between generations not only within the workplace but also in day to day life.
Interested in related training? Visit our Generations in the Workplace Training to learn more!
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About the Book
Miscommunication… Employee conflict… Work ethic debates… Loyalty issues… Varying wants and needs…
No matter what position you hold within your organization – manager, human resources professional, business owner, individual contributor – you are faced with these types of issues every day. But why?
Currently, there are six generations in the workplace:
- Radio Babies (born 1930-1945)
- Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)
- Generation X (born 1965-1976)
- Generation Y: First Wave of Millennials (born 1977-1990)
- Generation Z: Second Wave of Millennials (born 1991-2001)
- Generation Alpha (born 2002 and after)
Each of them has a different perspective based on their upbringing and daily lives. The key to making encounters between the generations successful is learning to understand the point of view of each generation, recognizing their similarities, and respecting their differences. The individuals and organizations that do this will be the ones to succeed. This book will show you how.
Co-authors Gravett and Throckmorton take a dynamic approach to the situation by writing in two distinct voices—as a Baby Boomer and a Gen-Xer—using a “point-counterpoint” approach to identify differences and similarities across generations. They share hands-on experiences, real-life cases, recommended solutions, and ground-breaking research on how members of any generation can better relate to minimize conflict, miscommunication, and wasted energy.
You will learn what each generation thinks of the others and how each wishes the others viewed them. Bridging the Generation Gap is filled with strategies and solutions you can implement immediately to help build your own bridges between the generations.
About the Authors
Baby Boomer – Dr. Linda Gravett, SPHR,CEQC (Cincinnati, OH) Senior Partner with Gravett and Associates and President/CEO of Just the Basics, Inc. Linda is a national speaker and human resources consultant specializing in generational differences, workplace ethics, and emotional intelligence. She has a strategic, big-picture approach toward understanding age differences.
Gen Xer – Robin Throckmorton, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP (Cincinnati, OH) President of Strategic HR Robin specializes in competitive retention and recruitment strategies in the workplace. She has a practical, “tell it like it is” approach toward tearing down stereotypes and building collaboration to improve organizational effectiveness.
Here’s what our readers say…
“This is an entertaining and insightful look at the ever-increasing multigenerational business dilemma in the 21st century. Eye-opening ideas with immediate application to work and home!”
“When you finish reading this book it will not go on the bookshelf. Instead, you will keep it at your side and use it as a reference manual. It is loaded with many “how to” tips that are practical and timely. The authors effectively debunk the myths attributed to the various generations and chart a path to success.”
“Bridging the Generations Gap was enjoyable to read from two ‘voices’ or perspectives. More importantly, I learned perspectives and insights that will help me professionally and personally! There were several suggested approaches to building a bridge that I look forward to using.”
“For the Generation Y information, it has been really helpful to look at these individuals in the workplace and out in the world with a less judgmental eye. I know that I sound like an old timer saying this, but I thought that they were just young. Now, however, I understand that how they were influenced by their world was different than how I was influenced by my world.”
Want to help your multigenerational team thrive?
We customize our Generations in the Workplace Training to meet your unique needs.
