When Generations Collide

Have you ever wondered why things don’t run as smoothly as they should at work sometimes? With poor communication, conflict, misunderstandings, bad feelings, dissatisfaction, a lack of loyalty, contention, low productivity, and much, much more constantly plaguing the workplace, I think I found some answers as to why these problems exist.

On top of different cultures, beliefs, backgrounds, and upbringings that can cause some misunderstandings and clashes in the workplace, there is something else that makes us all very different: this is our generations. Believe it or not, the year you were born has greatly shaped who you are. The world in which each of use grew up in and the events we witnessed and experienced around the world during our formidable years have had a great impact on who we are and how we act and feel in the workplace.

This is how the generations breakdown:

Traditionalist (Born between 1900-1945)
Baby Boomers (Born between 1946-1964)
Generation X (Born between 1965-1980)
Millennial (Born between 1981-1999)

When Generations Collide is an interesting and insightful book about how the different generations interact at the workplace. Though it is no surprise, the different generations seem to view things very differently. From career goals to retirement, no generation is on the same page—resulting in constant misunderstandings, conflict, and poor communication.

From the aging loyal Traditionalist to the young techno-savvy Millennial, all generations have to work together and compete in the same market. Situations you’ve probably experienced at work are discussed in this often humorous book, as the truth to common misunderstandings in the workplace and in life are revealed. This book will help you better understand not only yourself but also your peers, your boss, and those you manage. The information found in this book will also help you recruit, retain, and better interact with talented people from each generation. And if your not working, the content in the book will help you better understand your children, parents, other relatives, or even those whom you interact with in your community.

Generational differences is a fascinating topic, reminding us we are all unique, and we all can add value to our world. Learning to accept others while embracing our own individual qualities will help us become more successful and more “generationally” savvy. And as you read, you will learn this can be a very high commodity today, as leaders of organizations constantly deal with the continuous collision of four generations at work.

(Below is a list of some views that makes each generation different—just to give you an idea of what you’ll find in this book. To gain further insight and better understanding, please read When Generations Collide by Lynne C. Lancaster and David Stillman.)

Career Goals
Traditionalist—To Build a Legacy
Baby Boomers—To Build a Stellar Career
Generation X—To Build a Portable Career
Millennial—To Build Parallel Careers

Rewards at Work
Traditionalist—The satisfaction of a job well done.
Baby Boomers—Money, title, recognition, the corner office.
Generation X—Freedom is the ultimate reward.
Millennial—Work that has meaning for me.

Views on Changing Jobs
Traditionalist—Job changing carries a stigma.
Baby Boomers—Job changing puts you behind.
Generation X—Job changing is necessary.
Millennial—Job changing is part of my daily routine.

Views on Receiving Feedback
Traditionalist—No news is good news.
Baby Boomers—Feedback once a year, with lots of documentation!
Generation X—Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?
Millennial—Feedback whenever I want it at the push of a button.