ASK THE EXPERT ANN MAX
Are you keeping up with the generational changes in the workplace? 2012 ISPA
Conference & Expo Professional Development Session (PDS) speaker Ann Max says
there is a need to understand and engage each group to build a more profitable and
successful work culture.
ANN MAX
ISPA PDS Speaker
1.
Why is understanding generational
differences important in
today’s workplace?
There are at least four generational groups (Veterans,
Boomers, Gen Xers and Gen Y
or Millennials) who are active in today’s workplace. Each has
different values, perspectives, beliefs and behaviors in both
personal and professional capacities. In order to work together
and avoid misunderstandings leading to an unproductive and
unhealthy workplace, it is essential that we understand why
different generations of people think and act the way they do.
We need to develop skills to increase intergenerational tolerance and understanding and to better interact with different
generations. In this competitive market, tailoring workplace
strategies towards each generation will provide a distinct
advantage.
2.
What are the most common obstacles of
getting employees from different generations to
work together?
Integration of Diversity. Each generation relates to diversity, freedom and equality in a different way; therefore, one of
the obstacles is understanding why or how to integrate this
throughout the organization.
Boomers feel that the days of radical revolution are over
and the work has already been done. Just like their approach
to the work ethic, they are conflict-averse and do not want to
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revisit or change anything. They want to just maintain what
has been achieved and to move on.
Gen Xers, however, welcome, encourage and initiate conversations of diversity. Through the Internet, they have friends
all over the world of various races, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender. This clash results in Gen Xer’s reluctance to
bring up the topic [which could] lead to a feeling of uselessness. They feel it is not useful to be trained on something
that they have embodied since childhood.
VISIT digital Pulse on experienceispa.com to find
out what other obstacles are keeping different
generations from working together.
3.
How can managers balance the delicate act of
understanding generational differences without
automatically putting workers in a box?
Although generations can be characterized by a certain set of
attitudes and beliefs, managers should realize that not all in
the group share the majority’s views. Do not oversimplify the
differences. Use these groups as a framework for initiating
productive discussions while keeping an open mind to the
differences even within the generations. Scientific research
shows that there are fundamental similarities between the
groups. Leverage and understand these to reduce tension, collaborate and achieve your goals.
All generations are looking for “respect, flexibility and fairness” in the workplace, and these timeless values [are what]
management should aim for. Although there are differences in