Sticking Points: How to Get 5 Generations Working Together in the 12 Places They Come Apart

by Haydn Shaw, Stephen M.R. Covey (Foreword)

Updated with new findings on Gen Z!
With five generations in the workplace at once, there’s bound to be some sticking points. This is the first time in American history that we have five different generations working side-by-side in the the Traditionalists (born before 1945), the Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964), Gen X (born between 1965–1980), Millennials (born 1981–2001) and Gen Z (born 1996–present). Haydn Shaw, popular business speaker and generational expert, has identified 12 places where the 5 generations typically come apart in the workplace (and in life as well). These sticking points revolve around differing attitudes toward managing one’s own time, texting, social media, organizational structure, and of course, clothing preferences. If we don’t learn to work together and stick together around these 12 sticking points, then we’ll be wasting a lot of time fighting each other instead of enjoying a friendly and productive team. Sticking Points is a must-read book that will help you understand the generational differences you encounter while teaching us how we can learn to speak one another’s language and get better results together.

Genres: Leadership

384 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

Haydn Shaw is a leading expert on understanding generational differences and transforming negative work environments and employees. He is a full-time speaker and consultant for FranklinCovey specializing in leadership, execution, and personal productivity methodologies. Before that, he was a minister for nine years and has a seminary degree. Haydn has worked with more than 1,000 businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and governmental agencies. He speaks and consults in excess of 170 days each year for clients who consistently invite him back. Recently hailed as a “leadership guru” by the Washington Post, Haydn Shaw has delivered hundreds of convention keynote or intimate off-site addresses. Known for taking groups from hilarity to deep reflection, he combines rich content with modern teaching methods. Having worked with hundreds of organizations, Haydn employs practical and inspiring examples from the boardroom and from the front line of business. Haydn Shaw travels from Chicago, where he lives in a multigenerational household with his family.

Reviews

[Reagan Belflower · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I thought this book was super interesting, just got a little repetitive towards the end. An insightful look into the 5 different generations and their expectations in the workplace. Also helped me identify as a “cusper” between millennials and Gen X (s/o to that ‘96 bday) and how I never feel like I fully relate to either group.

[DeeDee Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book as a resource for a lecture I was giving for a leadership training for educators on generations. The book was well written and organized. It did not fit my purpose for my lecture, because it is mainly for businesses. It's a shame that generations are mainly studied for the purpose of just companies to use to have a more successful and productive business.

[Steve Bullington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Were you born between 1945 and 2000?
Do you work with people born between 1945 and 2000?

If you answer yes to either of these questions, you need to read Sticking Points by Hayden Shaw. This book will help you navigate the world of working with 5 Generations.

This book is not a concept book but a "how-to" manual. Sticking Points walks you through the backstories for each of these 5 Generations and the "Ghost Stories" that help define the perspective of each Generation.

It then points out the 12 Sticking Points that most companies and teams face and provides you with a 5 step process to help your team navigate bringing your 5 Generations together.

Here's the truth, we old guys (I'm on the Cusp between Boomer and GenX) are going to work longer than ever and the Gen Z's are going to take over the workplace in the next 10 years so we are all going to have to learn to work together. This book will help us get there.

[Tim McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just used this book as the lunch and learn topic for our Diversity team presentation at a factory. We have all five generations working in the factory. Take home thought..why do we think it is ok to stereotype and use “they” and make fun of other age groups when we don’t think it is ok to talk about others race or ethnicity etc in those ways. We cannot change what year we were born or what generations before us taught us or what technology was available when we group up.

[SJ Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously don’t know how I communicated very effectively before reading this book. I was often frustrated with colleagues from a different generation, and how they thought, felt, and interacted. Now I have a better understanding of each generations’s culture and communication styles. This book is a must read for anyone in today’s workforce.

[Brian W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five different generations in the workplace create a large amount of issues. This book articulates what those differences are, why they are, and what to do to get them all to co-exist towards a common goal. Very interesting and well worth the read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

TLDR. I resorted to just the bullet point at the end of the last few chapters. I took what I could to relate to my situation, but this is much more for organizations or companies dealing with all generations.

[Judith Ayala]

Super informative and well organized content!!!

[Kimberly Pavlovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was informative and well written. It was all facts based!

[James Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about generational differences. Gets you thinking about it.

A little too silver bullet will solve all problems for me, but raises good points and conversations.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those "must read" books! Great practical insight into the 5 generations interacting together, whether at work or home.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book help me with how to communicate more easily with the many generations I deal with on a daily basis . Definitely will reference back incase I experience any other dilemmas