Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce

by Megan Gerhardt, Josephine Nachemson-Ekwall, Brandon Fogel

"Vital for any organization with multigenerational staffs, and for marketers, public relations professionals, HRD managers, or executives." Library Journal, Starred Review The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce presents a transformative way to end the generational wars once and for all. This book first introduces Gentelligence as a powerful business strategy and shows why it is critical for the future of work. It then presents a practical guide and a call to action for leaders of all ages to unlock the potential strengths of each generation. Readers will learn how an intergenerational workforce can be reframed as a profound business opportunity and discover how Gentelligence can help them win the talent war, create strong, diverse teams, and build adaptable cultures that will flourish in an era of rapid change. Gentelligence shares groundbreaking evidence that will have readers thinking about their generationally diverse workforce in an entirely different way. Readers will Gentelligence reveals the opportunities within an intergenerational workforce and provides actionable tools to help leaders build Gentelligent organizations. Unlike other books on generational leadership, this book rejects common stereotypes assigned to different generations, replacing them with a deep understanding of why those who grew up in different times may behave in unique and valuable, ways. We challenge leaders to go beyond simply accepting generational differences to leverage them proactively to increase engagement, innovation, and organizational success.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Leadership

296 pages, Hardcover

Published June 8, 2021

Reviews

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit it. I can be the grumpy 50-something at work who sometimes has a "get off my lawn" attitude with my young coworkers. You're gonna tell me how to do something? I've been in this business longer than you've been alive, whippersnapper.

But after reading Gentelligence, and listening to Megan talk about her work in this area, I'm changing my tune. My young coworkers (and those older than me) have a lot to teach me, and I need to pay attention.

I've had the opportunity to hear Megan speak several times about her research in this field, and now have had the chance to read about it in-depth, and it really is eye-opening. Are you as guilty as I am of stereotyping people based on the generation they're from? Is this ageism? It's certainly adjacent to it, even if it's not completely the same. This book has made me more conscious of the attitudes I hold toward people based solely on whether they share my experiences based on when we grew up.

The concepts outlined by Megan and her co-authors are applicable to life in general, not just the workplace. Many of us need to change the conversation around generational interaction in our families as well as in our offices, and Gentelligence can help us do that. Just understanding more about each generation and where they're coming from, based on what they've experienced, is a great help in understanding myself and those around me.

This is a fairly quick read, and is laid out in a way that makes the visuals and examples stay with you. For example, the chart on the four principles of Gentelligence is something that lives in my head now, and will be there for reference as I interact with coworkers and extended family of all ages.

If you interact with people of varied generations on a daily basis -- and most of us do -- you really have to read this book. It can help teachers, parents, teens and twenty-somethings relate each other, and grumpy old ladies like me relate to their Millennial and Gen Z coworkers.

Thanks to Megan and the publishers for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book!

[Dalton Akos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was pretty interesting for a professional development read - looking at how a multi-generational workforce can best function from a lens of teamwork and leadership.

[Cristin Grenier · Rating 5 out of 5]

What generation are you from? Gen X? Baby Boomer? Are you a Millennial? Gerhardt, Nachemson-Ekwall, and Fogel shed light on the differences in generations focusing on the Baby Boomers through the Millennials because they currently inhabit the workforce in their book Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce (published by Rowman & Littlefield). Although the book title may lead you to believe that the techniques used are strictly geared toward the workplace, the truth is that the strategies can be beneficial in everyday life even just within the extended family dynamic. I found the information on the strengths and motivations driving each generation eye opening. I myself am a Gen-Xer and I am completely guilty of ageism and assuming the worst, especially, of the younger generations.

I love that the book is well laid out and easy to reference if needed. It is not overly long at 296 pages which makes it a quick read. One thing I really liked about the book was when the authors describe in details companies that are just nailing Gentelligence and describe what they are doing to get it right. Another is, there are so any examples of interactions that I could relate to. I also appreciate the visual charts, lists and shortcuts that are easy to find and reference. For example, the chart on The Four Principles of Gentelligence. I will not spoil the book by telling you what they are, but I am able now to visualize them in my head as the chart and ask myself if I am practicing the four principles when I feel my patience is wearing out with someone just due to their age and the differences that result.

As I stated before, I believe that this book is a must read for anyone who interacts with individuals from a different generation on a daily basis. I would recommend this for my friends who are teachers (especially of high school and college students), parents of teenagers, my friends who live alongside me in this college town, those in the workforce, and especially anyone who is a nontraditional student. As a nontraditional student on a traditional college campus completing group work with Millennials, this book would have come in so handy and made a world of difference in my interactions and my grades on group work.

All my friends and followers out there who take the time to read my reviews, thank you and get a copy of this book!!!!!! It is due out on June 8, 2021. And available for Preorder on Amazon now. You will not be sorry.

[Tom Mobley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Gerhardt's Gentelligence offers a compelling perspective on how understanding generational differences can unlock greater potential in the workplace. As someone who has known her personally at Miami University Farmer School of Business, it’s fascinating to see her insights come to life on the page, offering a fresh lens on a topic that feels both timely and urgent. Her thoughtful analysis challenges traditional notions about generational divides and instead focuses on the value of intergenerational collaboration. As a Professor and HR Leader nearing the end of my career, I found the way Gerhardt presents the power of combining diverse generational strengths particularly engaging. As a member of the Baby Boom Generation, yet feeling caught between Baby Boomers and Gen Z, her approach resonates deeply with my own experience. The book emphasizes not just the need for mutual understanding across age groups but also the tremendous potential for innovation and growth when we leverage this diversity.

I highly encourage you to read Gentelligence, as it offers a unique perspective that can help shape more inclusive, collaborative work environments. Gerhardt's work is an invitation to rethink how we can adapt our leadership strategies to tap into the strengths of each generation, leading to more effective teams and organizations. Whether you are a Baby Boomer or a Millennial, this book will provide valuable insights into fostering more productive, engaged workplaces. By reading it, leaders can gain a deeper understanding of how to bridge generational gaps and create lasting change within their organizations.

[Kay Snavely]

Intelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce

By Dr. B. Kay Snavely

I appreciated this full-throated endorsement of intergenerational workforces. If you are tired of unconstructive, derogatory assumptions assigned to different generations, please read Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce. This book is smart and applicable to every type of work setting, whether a start-up or a long-lived company. The authors practice what they preach, walk the talk, and demonstrate results across different organizations. They are not mere observers of Gentelligence; Gerhardt, Nachemson-Ekwall, and Fogel model the values and practices they recommend. Theirs is an intergenerational writing team practicing their own lessons in their different workplaces and showing rich examples of exactly how any intergenerational team becomes more Gentelligent.

They define Gentelligence as a productive approach which values intergenerational experiences, knowledge, mindsets, skills, and mutual respect to leverage diversity of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millenials, and Gen Z into constructive results for the firm and for the workforce. Despite introducing a new term--Gentelligence--this book is not full of jargon. Most of us have heard those generational monikers and get the gist of their categories and ages. The benefit of Dr. Gerhardt's framework is to take those categories, understand them, and then use the vast skills within each of those general age groups to build diverse teams. They define the term clearly, including a set of core values that can be turned into four key practices. They illustrate how to identify assumptions that trigger conflict, address those triggers so that the disconnect across generations turns into understanding and shared intent and practice. They provide guidance for building common ground--all in plain language, all without age blaming. Refreshing.

Even the references to scholarly research span multiple generations of effectiveness experts from Peter Drucker and Edgar Schein to Dr. Gerhardt's recent work with Millenials. The authors draw from credible academic research, demographic data, respected business journals and news outlets, social media, consulting experiences, and interviews across generations of workers. The relevancy of their recommendations rings true for organizations which want to thrive in a rapidly re-organizing world filled with opportunity and pitfalls. These authors recognize that we need all the tools and talent available to navigate current and the future challenges.

As a Baby Boomer who never liked these generational classifications because of their typically pigeon-holing categories, I am grateful for the approach to fostering mutual mentoring and respect across the generations. My professional work has been in leadership, cross-cultural management, and change management both as a professor and a consultant. The vitality that comes from exchanging knowledge with colleagues who think and act differently should be fostered. In the recent two centuries, life expectancies have almost doubled. It is no surprise that Baby Boomers are working longer and that Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and generations beyond may find themselves working in organizations with 4 or 5 generations playing significant roles. What an opportunity Dr. Gerhardt and her co-authors have tapped. Time to get on the Gentelligence Team. You will be glad you read this book and find it a ready and useful reference each time you meet a new team member, lead a diverse team, or train a group of multi-generational workers in any context.

I was fortunate to receive an early copy. Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce is available on June 8, 2021. Preorder on Amazon now.

[William Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not often that I read a book and find it immediately applicable to my experiences, past and present. That happened with Gentelligence. In this book, Megan Gerhardt and her co-authors persuasively make the case that generational diversity is a formidable, underutilized force for business success. Their diagnosis of the problem is delivered without judgment or blame-shaming, instead focusing on setting up solutions. And the solutions offered are simple and realistic (even if they will take intentional, sustained effort and practice to implement).

Chapters 2 and 3 do the heavy lifting of the exposition, beginning with an incredibly enlightening explanation of the experiences that (literally) define each generation in the workplace, and moving on to explaining how all forms of ageism in the workplace are deleterious to company performance. The powerful clarity of these chapters takes readers on the first steps of Adjusting the Lens, all without the reader’s knowledge. I will be revisiting these chapters regularly.

Adjusting the Lens is one of the four key practices of Gentelligence, essentially a toolkit of intentional behaviors for those seeking to harness the power of intergenerational teams (all summarized with very useful, succinct tables). While these key practices were developed specifically for Gentelligence, I can see a broader application of them across the many dimensions of difference managers and workers encounter in the office on a daily basis. While these practices are certainly worth mastering for managing across generations, I believe their true power lies in their simplicity and broad applicability.

As I said above, I immediately began seeing opportunities for Gentelligence in my own life as soon as I began reading this book. I began to understand past experiences (and my own misperceptions!) from my six years working in a Fortune 50 company, where I was one of the youngest people on the team. I also began noticing (and trying to Resist Assumptions and Adjust the Lens) in my current experiences, where I work with people across all five generations in a traditional, very hierarchical setting. If nothing else, this book has made me aware of my own assumptions and inspired me to do more to be Gentelligent.

While this book has a lot of tools for leading an intergenerational workforce, it also (very intentionally) has much to offer for those who are not managers or leaders of people. I recommend this book to anyone who works in an intergenerational office, especially if you have ever felt that just-below-the-surface tension stemming from age differences, or even if you just wanted to know how generations are defined. It is a quick, enjoyable read that immediately leaves you more prepared to be successful in an age-diverse workplace.

[Tyler Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly inspirational and insightful read. Gentelligence is a powerful tool and lens for any age group to better understand each other. From helping each generation articulate their definition of success, to differing views on work-life balance, this book acts a guide to start a dialogue. Whether you are looking to better understand your siblings, work colleagues, or friends, Gentelligence offers new perspectives to overcome the “us versus them” mentality.

Allow me to “geek out” on both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Professional Wrestling for a moment. In BJJ, and most martial arts, one of the key foundations is creating an environment that fosters learning in both directions (teacher to student and student to teacher). Often impromptu conversations can lead to improvements to technique, or new techniques altogether (pretty crazy for a sport that has its roots in the 1800s)! Martial arts are a neutral landscape that values merit over age. It is a common occurrence for a class full of adults in their 30s to be led by youth instructors in their mid-teens. A good gym and community will welcome the new perspectives and experiences each member has to offer, regardless of their age.

Another fun example to consider is pop culture and media. As a minor in Interactive Media Studies, and diehard Beatles fan, I’ve heard several times that ‘this medium/band is the decline of society as we know it!’ However, Gentelligence would argue that media is a product of its time, and what resonates in the zeitgeist often results from the newest generation challenging ideals and norms, pushing their respective artforms to new heights. For me, one of the most relevant examples is Professional Wrestling. When World Wrestling Entertainment (then WWF) was arguably at its peak popularity, there was a faction of wrestlers known as “D-Generation X (or DX for short).” A clever play on words, these “degenerate” Gen X-ers would regularly butt heads with older authority figures with antics you would expect from a TV show targeted at angsty teens. Ironically enough, one of the members of DX would get involved with the production and corporate side of WWE. He is often used as an authority figure on TV, abusing his power against the young underdog. Behind the scenes, it could not be further from the truth. The founding member of DX is actually the head of creative for the weekly show and offers tailored advice to each member of WWE’s developmental performance center.

In all honesty, it has been a long time since a book captured my interest, but I could not put Gentelligence down! I am excited to use these concepts to promote stronger bonds with my teammates, and improve our organization as a whole. This book is a must-have for any one looking for a new perspective in their professional and personal development.

[Aaron Hornbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a leader of large operational teams in the financial services industry for close to 20 years, the key to my success has always been building efficient, high-performing teams. But that job has gotten more difficult as the workforce adds employees from new generations and requires leaders to understand how to not only appeal to each employee 1-on-1, but have them work as a team. Leaders, especially newer ones who may be transitioning from an individual role, may lack the skills to do this. This information is not common curriculum in business school (yet) or corporate leadership workshops. It has to be learned…and this book is the guide.

In my role as a contact center leader, my team had employees representing 4 generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and as of late, Generation Z. The day-to-duties for running each team falls on front-line leaders overseeing teams of 10-15 people, the majority of whom are in a different generation than the leader. I wish I had this book going back 20 years to help them overcome the challenges of bridging communication gaps with their employees and eliminating dysfunction within their teams. The majority of talented young leaders I saw lose interest in continuing into higher level management roles did so because they felt like they babysitting or refereeing all day. That’s a loss to me, the team, and the company.

Gentelligence would have bridged that gap.

As the idea and practice of Gentelligence is laid out in the book, it is done so using a huge variety of scenarios involving real interactions with members of all generations. Conversations and examples with individuals and groups. I found many of these scenarios very relatable and familiar. Examples involving baby Boomers and younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z’ers especially hit home, as they were precisely the scenarios that some of my young leaders had encountered and grown frustrated with. By gaining a little insight into how and why generational behavior differs, they would have had even more tools to work with in order to solve communication and cooperation gaps within their teams. The book refers to the as “adjusting your lens”. By understanding the events, behaviors, and biases that shape each generation, you can better understand how and why members of that cohort react positively or negatively to your behaviors and actions, or those of the larger group.

Speaking of lenses, as I read Gentelligence, I was particularly focused on how effective it would be for new leaders, but the idea and practices have universal applicability. You will definitely find some nugget of information or practice from a Gentelligent leader that is helpful in your personal or professional life.

[Nathan Frohman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have daily interactions with different generations whether at work/school, in restaurants, and even within your family. Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce provides a roadmap not only to understanding and reframing generational biases in the workplace, but can also be used in one’s everyday interactions with family, friends, and strangers. My favorite part of the book laid out the elements that make up a highly effective Gentillegent Team. One of the most crucial parts of creating an environment for a multi-generational team to flourish is to immediately set expectations. I loved reading about this in the book because I now have a new toolkit to apply when leading team projects in the workplace. Additionally, I found it super relatable to my personal life and it allowed me to reflect on how I’ve used expectation setting in past relationships (parents, teachers, significant others, etc.) and how I could check and adjust in the future.

As a Millennial, I enjoyed reading this book because it helped to name and identify different biases I hold as a 20-something year old working mostly with bosses and executives from the Baby Boomer generation. On the flip side, I also had the chance to peak behind the curtains on what assumptions my bosses or co-workers may have of me and what steps I can take to proactively overcome any negative age-related stereotypes. This book uses the generational lens to lay out an important work and life lesson: get to know the INDIVIDUAL before forming assumptions due to group association. I highly recommend that people of all ages read this book to challenge predetermined beliefs about those in different generations and gather the insights to foster positive working and personal relationships.

[Patrick Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful call-to-action to put aside preconceived assumptions & unite hand-in-hand to leverage our unique inter-generational lenses. This book provides critical context into the defining characteristics of each generation & the dynamics we see play out today.

Readers can feel a sense of empowerment from the insightful anecdotes, tools, & resources the book offers to empathetically understand one another. The key takeaways from this piece give me so much hope for a future workforce rooted in diversity, generational camaraderie, & psychological safety, so employees can more productively work together towards driving innovation & solving complex problems. The authors are spot-on in their assessment of the barriers we see today & the strategies we need to move an inter-generational workforce forward.

This book is a MUST read for people of all ages, as generational conversations impact us all! I’m walking away feeling enlightened, optimistic, & ready to embrace gentelligent solutions in both work & life.

[Brett Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve all experienced generational differences in the workplace. These differences can lead to situations that are frustrating, confusing, and cause tension between colleagues.

In this book Megan Gerhardt brings forth the concept of “Gentelligence”, a fresh way of thinking that reframes generational differences in a way that is positive for employees and productive for organizations.

The book walks through the current workplace landscape and the unique perspective each generation brings, then lays out what Gentelligence is all about. Then goes far beyond concept and academic research, and provides actionable ways leaders can create a Gentelligent workplace. Along the way are relevant and timely personal anecdotes providing the proof that altering your way of thinking about generational differences can be revolutionary for you and your workplace.

This book is a must-read for any young professional just starting their career and any leader looking to make a difference in their organization.

[Corrina Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a fresh perspective on the possibilities and opportunities for leveraging generational differences to create stronger teams/organizations/individuals.
The authors have laid out tools and how to use them in a conversational flow that is engaging and not dry. I will especially use the strategies for shifting your perspective and how to bring out the untapped strengths in your team. I found the organizational level strategies inspiring for the possibilities of the future of work. The individual level approaches, that you can start using immediately, are really informative and can be applied to daily to all the times life puts you in a multi generational group needing to find a path forward collaboratively. This book creates a framework for conversations to navigate finding common ground when it’s easy to feel like you are working with people who, because of their age can seem to have such different values.

I am Gen X, and this would have been so valuable for me at a younger age too.
If you like Audiobooks- the narrator for this one is really fantastic.

[Robin Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colleague recommended the book to me and I was curious enough about the topic and trusting enough of her opinion to start reading it -- and the early pages hooked me to keep going right through to the end. This was a good read!

An earlier reviewer noted that this book is helpful to anyone interacting with different generations on a daily basis. I wholeheartedly agree. I found the parts around varying expectations (e.g., around email response time, time to promotion and notions of 'putting in your time', among other examples) and the historical/societal contexts for how each generation came to be a fun history lesson/reminder, too.

My one minor critique is that the book every so often references the COVID-19 pandemic as if it's a past event. I realize the writers needed to put the pencil down at some point and publish, but I wish that the mentions had been a little less "this thing happened and it's all behind us" as we're still in the throes of trying to understand its impact.

Overall, though, this was a surprisingly enjoyable and insightful book and I recommend it.

[Scott Dust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a ton of business books and this one stands out as one of the best. For starters, it just a fascinating concept. Hearing the history behind the different generations helped me understand why I view things the way I do, and how other generations likely view things differently. The authors do a fantastic job of weaving in social science research and practical examples from their consulting and teaching to walk readers through their points. I also appreciated that the authors give diverse and actionable suggestions for overcoming some of the challenges (and leveraging the benefits) of generational diversity. Overall, great read and very much worth the time. Finally, a business book where every chapter is unique, offers well-rounded evidence, and gives practical recommendations.

[Evan McAvenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fresh, thoughtful, and important take on intergenerational work, leadership, and relationships.

Whether you are just starting out your career, advancing to leadership, or have years of leading teams or a business there is something for everyone. In-depth research, thought-provoking insights, and most importantly, actionable strategies!

An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to have stronger and more empathetic connections across generational gaps!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book by Dr. Megan Gerhardt is a great resource to open your mind to possibilities of different generations working together in positive, productive ways. Best thing since Morris Massey spoke on the topic decades ago. #gentelligence

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must for anyone who works in a multigenerational group. Understanding where everyone is coming from and how their past experiences influence their current thinking is key to us working together as a team.

[Kym Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking reading as we advance into the most multi generational workplace we've ever had. Essentially, the proposition is about all of us noticing our assumptions and being willing to let go of ego and create environments of learning and exchange...for every generation! 4 stars

[Katherine Brinkman (Mavergeorge) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read that provided a fresh perspective on leveraging a multi-generation, especially in the workplace. My rating comes from it feeling a little long and dragged out at times… But definitely appreciated the read.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentelligence is a thought-provoking and insightful read on the power of leveraging generational diversity. As a young professional, I found this book to be particularly timely as I continue to learn how to best collaborate with colleagues across a multigenerational office setting. Geared mainly towards the workplace, the strategies outlined in this book for how to navigate and lead generationally diverse teams are truly applicable to both our professional and personal lives. It has sparked thoughtful conversation amongst my own family and friends about what it means to identify with a particular generation, and how we can better learn and grow from those that come before and after us. I highly recommend this book to business leaders and anyone that wants to have better conversations with their colleagues across generations.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author brings up some interesting issues to think about. I bit confused as to audience. It bounces back and forth between trying to establish academic cred while citing examples from business/industry.

[Brendan Artley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book tackles diversity from a different angle, and is a great read. It’s closing line sums it up best.

“Every generation is both a teacher and a student”

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about the intergenerational workforce. I found this book quite helpful to me as a leader. I highly recommend it.

[Crystal Lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening and really helpful in the workplace and also if you have kiddos at home.

[Margi Moul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit I am quite taken with this book. Wondering how at 75, I will be able to use it in volunteer and board work. We all need to swallow our egos and learn from each other.

Thank you again, Megan Gerhardt and your co-authors.