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Summary: The "new generation gap" is real and matters
Review: The "new generation gap" is real, subtle and matters. It really does. We are all aware that gender, racial, and ethnic differences can impact the tone and tenor of relations in the workplace. We are much less sensitive to generational differences and the ways they can disrupt interpersonal harmony and synergy of effort when they are not acknowledged and managed. Will the world come to a screeching halt if we ignore the presence of this new form of disfunctional diversity? Probably not. In fact, the frictions we write about in "Generations At Work" weren't apparent to us until they hit us over the head while were trying to figure out why a client of ours in the fast food business was experiencing horrendous turn over among new -- read young -- mangers. (What we learned was that Boomer and Veteran managers were trying to motivate Gen X management trainees using, as they put it, "the golden rule," -- the way they themselves were managed and motivated when they were management trainees. The problem with that old shibolth is that it assumes so much about the other person. Better, we learned, you should ask and learn from, those you are trying to manage and motivate, than depend on your instincts and your very personal experiences.) We are well aware that many managers upon hearing of yet another diversity "issue" that they are being entreated to attend to, will roll their eyes and groan. But we have seen too many examples of organizations using generational differences to build a more robust, creative and enjoyable work environment to ignore the potential benefits of dealing directly with with them. We hope you find the book a "good read" --we wrote it to be up-beat, inspirational and helpful, not blaming or negative -- and that you find our advice useful. So enjoy -- and let us know what you think. Better yet, let the people you work with know what you think. Even if you decide we are touting a tempest in a tea pot, it will make great water cooler conversation. Ron Zemke co-author "Generations At Work"
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Summary: Road Map for the New Millenium Manager
Review: The authors have captured the essence and spirit of each generation found in the workplace with humor and practical help for the manager and employee alike!! In my own work area the book has become a great conversation starter for all of ages!! It offers insight into motivation, team work, and development!! The short cut boxes in each chapter are Great!!!
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Summary: Managing Generations
Review: This book, like others in its genre has insightful and fresh ideas for those faced with managing a divergent workforce. While these generational differences should be viewed as guidelines rather than stereotypes, it would be foolish to discount their relevance.. Although I have experience managing people with a variety of ethnic and educational backgrounds, this book helped me go beyond the usual management 'tricks' to better understand each employee's generation identity. This identity is indeed formed by the defining moments in their lives. It is clear that this identity is very real, and is developed over time. I would contend that political and religious affiliation will also influence an individual's personality, and effect their view on generational differences. While many of us share characteristics from a multiple generations, it's clear to that the events, news, music, even sports, of a given generation, shapes who we become. To deny this sociological reality would be a disservice to those who work hard to make the workplace (and home for that matter), more manageable.
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Summary: Understanding other generations.
Review: This study of the beliefs and values of the major generational groups and their attitudes to each other provides a thorough basis for understanding issues that are likely to arise in the workplace. The authors highlight the very different attitudes to work, life and the importance of life style between the generations. They offer ideas for dealing effectively with each generation and with the differences between them. The book is readable and well set out. A chapter is devoted to each generation group, each with useful tabulations and comparisons. This is followed by case studies of good inter-generational relationships and a couple of chapters of advice. The book is concerned primarily with the present - that is with how these differences impact on today's working life, but the sketches of each generation also provide insights into what may happen to work arrangements as different value systems become dominant. An interesting and important question of course is 'What is going to happen to business itself, its values and its relationship to wider society?' Unfortunately this question is not even raised, the implicit assumption being that business will continue unchanged even if ways of organising and doing business change. A dangerous assumption!
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Summary: Demystifies The Generations
Review: Too often we seem to think the "other" generation is at fault for everything from our personal unhappiness to the world's ills. Generations At Work explains the mindset of the various generations in a nonjudgmental format while giving valuable advice for dealing with individuals and team settings that include more than one generation. It's a must-read for anyone who manages people from more than one generation.
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Summary: Useful for dealing with today's mined workplace
Review: Whether you are the manager or the managed, today's workplace has some unusual demands in terms of generation conflict and change. In many ways, older workers feel slighted when their experience is discounted in the face of the technical expertise of younger workers. At the same time, younger workers make big mistakes when they rush ahead without considering that experience and what it can bring to the success of a diverse team. This book gives some good ideas for understanding what generations mean in terms of workplace cohesiveness -- or the lack thereof.
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Summary: A must read for any manager!
Review: Wow! All demographic studies are based on population data. But this book is continually wrong in the most basic demographics! Throughout the book the authors state that the "the population of the United States was in a slow decline throughout the nineteenth century Births and immigration combined were failing to create the numbers necessary for simple replacement ..." Wrong! Try US Census or other historic data and look at the dramatic growth through both births and immigration! The U.S. population doubled four times between 1900 and 1900! This mistake begins on page 14 and is consistently repeated. Where are the editors? If the editors and authors are not just unfamiliar but absolutely wrong about population basics, why bother with the book? See Jim Pruitt's review below for other valuable comments.
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Summary: Wrong Population Data Equals Wrong Hypotheses
Review: Wow! All demographic studies are based on population data. But this book is continually wrong in the most basic demographics! Throughout the book the authors state that the "the population of the United States was in a slow decline throughout the nineteenth century Births and immigration combined were failing to create the numbers necessary for simple replacement ..." Wrong! Try US Census or other historic data and look at the dramatic growth through both births and immigration! The U.S. population doubled four times between 1900 and 1900! This mistake begins on page 14 and is consistently repeated. Where are the editors? If the editors and authors are not just unfamiliar but absolutely wrong about population basics, why bother with the book? See Jim Pruitt's review below for other valuable comments.
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