Webinar: Working With Individuals Across Multiple Generations
The workplace is made up of many different generations, all who have their own set of values. At the end of this one-hour audio webinar by Dr. Stephanie Fraser-Beekman, you will be able to identify the four different generations currently in the workforce, discuss potential challenges that materialize between generations, and describe techniques for capitalizing on the potential of each generation.
Dr. Beekman holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Management from Indiana University, a Masters in Human Development and a Doctorate in Human Development and Organizational Systems from the Fielding Institute. She is a Core Faculty member of Human Resource Management at Capella University, as well.
This webinar is 63 minutes in length and is available for streaming live or can be downloaded for future use. The accompanying PowerPoint presentation may be viewed here.
This entry was posted on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 5:51 am and is filed under Current Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 7th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Thanks, Dr. Beekman, for sharing the recording of your recent webinar. As noted in discussion about another post to this site, “Boomer Workers…Work or Retire?” the multi-generational workplace has many implications for human capital management professionals. Many of us at Capella and other schools also see these issues from the vantage point of educators and learners of different generations preparing for second and third careers.
I see a lot of speculation and discussion in the popular press of mostly anecdotal evidence about generational issues in the workplace—what are researchers finding? To what extent do assumed correlations between age and workplace/leadership expectations hold true? Your presentation highlighted two books on the subject—could suggest any articles that discuss findings from recent studies?
August 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Hi Janet,
Thanks for the questions. I do believe that the current research upholds the earlier studies. The Zemke, Raines & Filipczak text I recommended in the webinar is based on a longitudinal study. The authors have continued to research and update their findings. Claire Raines has a web site at http://www.generationsatwork.com/
I also recommend the work of Bruce Tulgan, a Gen Xer. His book Tulgan, B. (2002). Winning the talent wars: How to build a lean, flexible, high-performance workplace. New York: Norton. is very readible and informative. He too has a web site at http://www.rainmakerthinking.com/.
Also here are some very current articles on the topic of generational differences that you and your visitors might find interesting:
Bartley, S., Ladd, P., & Morris, M. (2007). Managing the Multigenerational Workplace: Answers for Managers and Trainers. CUPA-HR Journal, 58(1), 28-34. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from Business Source Complete database.
Giancola, F. (2006). The Generation Gap: More Myth than Reality. Human Resource Planning, Retrieved April 21, 2008, from Business Source Complete database.
Johnson, J., & Lopes, J. (2008). The Intergenerational Workforce, Revisited. Organization Development Journal, 26(1), 31-36. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from Business Source Complete database.
Tulgan, B. (2007). Finding roles for social-media tools in HR. Strategic HR Review, 6(2), 3-3. Retrieved April 21, 2008, from Business Source Complete database.
I hope you find these resouces helpful! Enjoy!
Dr. B
August 11th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Thank you Dr. Beekman for posting some updated articles about multigenerational workplace and related management issues. In terms of hiring, motivating, developing and retaining workers, it will be hard to ignore the multigenerational workforce. The presentation offers fertile ground for discussion; I will post a few reflections and hope that others add responses as well as your own questions.
One story that intrigues me involves the people missing from most workplace studies—the entrepreneurs, small business workers and freelancers whose workplace often fits into a laptop. How do characteristics of these workers vary by generational group—or do they? Has anyone studied them by cohort?
I do not doubt that world events, cultural trends and social change influence people’s attitudes. But I also wonder whether people who are sharing “key life experiences” NOW have more in common in terms of priorities and expectations of leaders and work life than cohort groups by birth year?
Do parents of young children—regardless of whether they are in their 20s, 30s or 40s have common desires in terms of comprehensive health benefits or flexible sick/personal time off? Does the new parent, like the worker ready to retire, want stability and clear expectations? And do middle aged empty nesters have more in common with the young Nexters in terms of valuing extra time off more than a raise? How can the workplace be better aligned with workers’ needs at different stages of life—given global competition and other pressures? What productivity is lost by ignoring workers’ needs?
As someone with long-term involvement in workplace diversity issues, I have another question: what policies, training and other measures will be needed to avoid/remedy divisive age bias and/or discrimination?
Last, after watching the presentation a couple of times I tried to answer the question about which generation I associate with the most. Apparently I am a one-woman multi-generational worker, since I resonate strongly with characteristics of Baby Boomer, Gen Xer as well as Nexter. Clearly someone trying to manage, develop or motivate me based on characteristics anticipated based on age cohort would have a challenging time!
Please share your thoughts: what issues do you see in the multi-generational workplace, what research is needed to better understand these issues? And where do you fit in—do you resonate with your birth cohort, another generation, or a mix?
Janet
August 21st, 2008 at 3:47 am
Dr Beekman,
Thank you so much for putting this together. I have enjoyed your presentation and learned so much from you at the last colloquium. You inspired me to attend the Academy of Management this August, and I found it quite interesting. Thank you for standing as a leader in this program and for your continuous support and work.
Cheryl Haws
September 30th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Dr. Beekman,
Thank you for the Webinar and the interesting topic selected. “Working With Individuals Across Multiple Generations” offers multi-dimensional discussions on organizational shared-meaning. Generational inclusiveness implies a coherent and cohesive work environment necessitated by a strong desire to share knowledge and wisdom for greater productivity. The idea of generational cohort suggested by Janet might lead to human relations gaps as negative factors for cohesion and Human capital mix.
Job satisfaction, good pay and benefits, conducive work environment, understanding and managing diversity, culture and talent management are essential in reaching accross workplace generations.
Frank Forka.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:59 am
Hi Janet,
I have a few learners conducting their doctoral research on the topic of generational differences and small business owners, but they won’t be published for a while. They took up the topic because they found a gap in the literature as you pointed out.
As far as my own generation, I am a Baby Boomer but stay connected with the younger generations through my teaching and mentoring work with Capella University.
Dr. Beekman
October 1st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Hi Frank,
Thanks for your comment. I agree that they key is inclusion, regardless of generation, gender, race or whatever. And the sooner we learn this the better!
Dr. Beekman