Course Description

Today’s workforce is comprised of four different generations for the first time. These four generations know as the Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Gen Yers each has its own unique central values, preferences, and motivators. As a result, new and more flexible management approaches designed to recognize, understand, and take advantage of members of different generations working side by side and leveraging the talents of all generations is required. For example, as the last of the Traditionalist generation and increasing members of the Baby Boomer generation retire, organizations across industries face the daunting task of replacing these skilled, experienced contributors and transferring their institutional knowledge to younger generation workers. In addition, due to the smaller numbers of Gen Xers, The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that over the next two decades there will be a 24% gap between available workers and available jobs worldwide. This means that competition for recruiting and retaining skilled employees will heat up considerably. Gen Yers entering the workplace for the first time have different expectations related to work and career that have not been experienced before by employers and their management. This requires innovative and creative approaches for recruiting, motivating, and retaining younger workers.

This learning session explores the myriad challenges and issues associated with having different generations working side by side in the workplace. Through a combination of brief lecturettes, interactive small group learning activities, and scenario analyses, participants will increase their awareness and understanding of the key challenges and opportunities that such generational diversity presents and develop action strategies for addressing these challenges and leveraging the opportunities in their work area. Effective communication, collaborating, and motivation techniques for use with members of the different generations will be examined and research based leading practices will be discussed.

Meet Our Instructors:

Dr. Joe Mattox

Joe is a popular executive leadership coach who has worked with executives in positions ranging from CEO to senior vice president and middle management. Read more about Joe...

Dr. Ira Levin

Ira is an organization and management consultant who focuses his professional practice in the area of organization transformation and development. Read more about Ira...

Principal Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the distinct values, attitudes, work related preferences, & motivators of each generation.
2. Identify and assess intergenerational diversity related strategic risks, challenges, & opportunities for your organization, department, or workgroup.
3. Learn the major sources and types of inter-generational based conflict.
4. Practice communication and collaboration techniques for managing generational differences and adapting to the needs and preferences of different generations.
5. Develop action plans to leverage inter-generational diversity and improve communication and collaboration.

Sample Workshop Topic Outline:

1. Assessing strategic risks & business impact of intergenerational related workplace trends on your organization.
2. Understanding inter-generational differences: generational values, attitudes, work preferences, & key motivators.
3. Exploring management issues associated with inter-generational differences.
4. Prioritizing inter-generational challenges and opportunities for your organization.
5. Developing action plans for addressing priority challenges & leveraging opportunities.
6. Exploration of leading organization and management practices for leveraging inter-generational opportunities in the workplace.
7. Types and sources of inter-generational conflict & methods/techniques for managing such conflicts/differences.
8. Role play practice in applying conflict management methods/techniques IX. Personal action planning for implementing specific techniques.

For additional information about our services and workshops, please contact us.