STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING THE GENERATION MIX

Session Speakers: Joe Lim, Karen McRitchie, Rebecca Klein

Today's workplaces are not only culturally diverse, but also generationally diverse. The Silent generation (pre World War II), the Baby Boom generation (1946-1960), Generation X (1961-1977), and Generation Y (1978-1990), all have different values and needs. This can create a challenge for the manager who works with a generational mix of team members. Today's younger employees have different values and needs than those of their more "traditional" colleagues of the Silent and Baby Boom generations. Those team members with more traditional views will often find fault with the "younger" generation's habits and skills.

Facilitation of a successful team requires managers to understand the values of the generations and use that information to find ways to communicate, motivate and measure performance effectively. Fair is not equal in today's workplace and managers need to look at their staff members as individuals; providing them with the resources they need to be successful. There is not a "one size fits all" formula as in the management styles of decades past.

Examining the various characteristics of each generation and understanding their life experiences, can give insight as to what has shaped their roles in today's workplace. Each generation's values are different and understanding these differences, while identifying misconceptions, can lead to successfully managing this diverse group.

This will be a panel presentation followed by a moderated question and answer session.