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A New Kind of Diversity: Making the Different Generations on Your Team a Competitive Advantage
In A New Kind of Diversity , bestselling author Tim Elmore brings his decades of research and leadership experience to bear on what might be the biggest, most dramatic, and most disruptive shift the American workforce has ever the vast diversity of several generations living— and working —together.
The past few years have brought an endless cascade of social media movements that left many of us . . . well . . . scratching our heads. Regardless of how we feel about the gaps between us, there is one we cannot avoid. One of the largest gaps remains an “elephant in the room.” We know it's there but we don't know how to talk about it.
It's the different generations that find themselves working together. It's a generation gap.
There is a new kind of diversity that only eight percent of U.S. companies even diverse generations on teams.
Long laughed off as a cliché and more recently mocked in memes #HowToConfuseMillennials and #OKBoomer hashtags, the generational gap has become an undeniable tension in the global workplace. Sadly, it has
For the first time in history, up to five generations find themselves working alongside each other in a typical company. The result? There can be division. Interactions between people from different generations can resemble a cross-cultural relationship. Both usually possess different values and customs. At times, each generation is literally speaking a different language!
How can we hope to work together when we can't even understand each other?
This book provides the tools
The past few years have brought an endless cascade of social media movements that left many of us . . . well . . . scratching our heads. Regardless of how we feel about the gaps between us, there is one we cannot avoid. One of the largest gaps remains an “elephant in the room.” We know it's there but we don't know how to talk about it.
It's the different generations that find themselves working together. It's a generation gap.
There is a new kind of diversity that only eight percent of U.S. companies even diverse generations on teams.
Long laughed off as a cliché and more recently mocked in memes #HowToConfuseMillennials and #OKBoomer hashtags, the generational gap has become an undeniable tension in the global workplace. Sadly, it has
For the first time in history, up to five generations find themselves working alongside each other in a typical company. The result? There can be division. Interactions between people from different generations can resemble a cross-cultural relationship. Both usually possess different values and customs. At times, each generation is literally speaking a different language!
How can we hope to work together when we can't even understand each other?
This book provides the tools
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2022
119 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 28, 2023
I went into this book open to its premise and expecting some helpful insights about the generational differences in our society. However, I feel like the book itself very quickly swayed me over to not believing in the idea of generational groups at all.
The first 2/3 are all on each generation, and despite his insistence that these frameworks are not to just stereotype, they’re exactly that. Reductive at best and misleading at worst when working with others.
Then the book goes on to talk about how to better get your team to work together. Guess what? All the good advice has nothing to do with those generational stereotypes earlier, and sometimes even contradict it.
Are there some good and helpful things in this book? Yes. But I strongly feel the culmination of everything in here is more hurtful than helpful. Would not recommend.
I think my takeaway is that people are people, and it’s best to approach everyone with an open mind and your best foot forward. Communication is key, put yourself in their shoes.
The first 2/3 are all on each generation, and despite his insistence that these frameworks are not to just stereotype, they’re exactly that. Reductive at best and misleading at worst when working with others.
Then the book goes on to talk about how to better get your team to work together. Guess what? All the good advice has nothing to do with those generational stereotypes earlier, and sometimes even contradict it.
Are there some good and helpful things in this book? Yes. But I strongly feel the culmination of everything in here is more hurtful than helpful. Would not recommend.
I think my takeaway is that people are people, and it’s best to approach everyone with an open mind and your best foot forward. Communication is key, put yourself in their shoes.
May 1, 2023
When we think about diversity, we tend to think about it in terms of ethnicity and race. Tim Elmore reminds us, though, that one important aspect of diversity is age. We're living in a time when Boomers, Gen X'ers, Millennials, and Gen Z'ers might be living or working together. What challenges do people from different generations face relating, working, and communicating with one another? What can we learn from one another?
Elmore's emphasis on collaboration and learning from one another is really helpful. I also found his book helpful filling gaps in my knowledge about each generation.
When we talk or write about generations, though, we are necessarily working with generalizations. We need to create oversimplified categories in order to understand and discuss these issues. That being said, we should also acknowledge complexities and historical continuities. For instance, we tend to think about the builders as a particularly conservative, "silent" generation and their children, the Boomers, as revolutionaries. This has some truth to it, but we also know that one of the transformative effects of the second world war was black Americans fought and died overseas for "freedom" and "democracy" and returned home to segregation. As a result, they fought for their own freedom at home in the 50s and 60s. Similarly, women worked in the factories during the war. Afterward, many weren't content to return to purely domestic lives. This led to the movement for women's rights. Some builders were in fact revolutionaries that had a huge impact on American culture and history. Boomers were often following their lead. Elmore doesn't adequately address complexities and continuities like these.
This leads me to another issue I had with the book. It is really weak in considering how ethnic & cultural diversity affects diversity among generations. For instance, Elmore characterizes boomers and millennials as particularly entitled generations. Is this true of black boomers and millennials? What about Americans whose parents were immigrants?
I am on a diverse church staff team on which I am the only white man. We read this book together and in our discussions my co-workers how they felt underrepresented. As I read it, I also saw some of these issues and felt frustrated too. Elmore's characterizations of boomers as hippies and his suggestion that Billy Eilish represents Gen Z has the effect of excluding certain readers. These weaknesses plague the whole book. He devotes a chapter to inclusion, but he does so in a clumsy way.
This book would have been much stronger with a person of color writing it with him. While he has much to contribute to discourse about diversity of generations in our current context, this discussion needs the voices of people of color to give us an accurate understanding of the world in which we live and where we're headed.
Elmore's emphasis on collaboration and learning from one another is really helpful. I also found his book helpful filling gaps in my knowledge about each generation.
When we talk or write about generations, though, we are necessarily working with generalizations. We need to create oversimplified categories in order to understand and discuss these issues. That being said, we should also acknowledge complexities and historical continuities. For instance, we tend to think about the builders as a particularly conservative, "silent" generation and their children, the Boomers, as revolutionaries. This has some truth to it, but we also know that one of the transformative effects of the second world war was black Americans fought and died overseas for "freedom" and "democracy" and returned home to segregation. As a result, they fought for their own freedom at home in the 50s and 60s. Similarly, women worked in the factories during the war. Afterward, many weren't content to return to purely domestic lives. This led to the movement for women's rights. Some builders were in fact revolutionaries that had a huge impact on American culture and history. Boomers were often following their lead. Elmore doesn't adequately address complexities and continuities like these.
This leads me to another issue I had with the book. It is really weak in considering how ethnic & cultural diversity affects diversity among generations. For instance, Elmore characterizes boomers and millennials as particularly entitled generations. Is this true of black boomers and millennials? What about Americans whose parents were immigrants?
I am on a diverse church staff team on which I am the only white man. We read this book together and in our discussions my co-workers how they felt underrepresented. As I read it, I also saw some of these issues and felt frustrated too. Elmore's characterizations of boomers as hippies and his suggestion that Billy Eilish represents Gen Z has the effect of excluding certain readers. These weaknesses plague the whole book. He devotes a chapter to inclusion, but he does so in a clumsy way.
This book would have been much stronger with a person of color writing it with him. While he has much to contribute to discourse about diversity of generations in our current context, this discussion needs the voices of people of color to give us an accurate understanding of the world in which we live and where we're headed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2023
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🍂
Book Title: A New Kind of Diversity: Making the Different Generations on Your Team a Competitive Advantage
Author’s Name: Tim Elmore, John C. Maxwell
Reading Type: Audiobook
Genre: Leadership
Page Count: 304 pages
Goodreads rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍂
Book Synopsis: The past few years have brought an endless cascade of social media movements that left many of us . . . well . . . scratching our heads. Regardless of how we feel about the gaps between us, there is one we cannot avoid. One of the largest gaps remains an “elephant in the room.” We know it's there but we don't know how to talk about it.
It's the different generations that find themselves working together. It's a generation gap.
There is a new kind of diversity that only eight percent of U.S. companies even diverse generations on teams. Long laughed off as a cliché and more recently mocked in memes #HowToConfuseMillennials and #OKBoomer hashtags, the generational gap has become an undeniable tension in the global workplace. Sadly, it has. For the first time in history, up to five generations find themselves working alongside each other in a typical company. The result? There can be division. Interactions between people from different generations can resemble a cross-cultural relationship. Both usually possess different values and customs. At times, each generation is literally speaking a different language!
How can we hope to work together when we can't even understand each other?
.
🍂
My Thoughts: I was amazed and mesmerized by the amount of knowledge and comprehension that this book contained, it was an eye-open journey that I was enjoying every second of it. It made empathize and understand other generations more and have an open mindset towards them and their way of thinking and their own perspective to life.
.
🍂
🍂
Book Title: A New Kind of Diversity: Making the Different Generations on Your Team a Competitive Advantage
Author’s Name: Tim Elmore, John C. Maxwell
Reading Type: Audiobook
Genre: Leadership
Page Count: 304 pages
Goodreads rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍂
Book Synopsis: The past few years have brought an endless cascade of social media movements that left many of us . . . well . . . scratching our heads. Regardless of how we feel about the gaps between us, there is one we cannot avoid. One of the largest gaps remains an “elephant in the room.” We know it's there but we don't know how to talk about it.
It's the different generations that find themselves working together. It's a generation gap.
There is a new kind of diversity that only eight percent of U.S. companies even diverse generations on teams. Long laughed off as a cliché and more recently mocked in memes #HowToConfuseMillennials and #OKBoomer hashtags, the generational gap has become an undeniable tension in the global workplace. Sadly, it has. For the first time in history, up to five generations find themselves working alongside each other in a typical company. The result? There can be division. Interactions between people from different generations can resemble a cross-cultural relationship. Both usually possess different values and customs. At times, each generation is literally speaking a different language!
How can we hope to work together when we can't even understand each other?
.
🍂
My Thoughts: I was amazed and mesmerized by the amount of knowledge and comprehension that this book contained, it was an eye-open journey that I was enjoying every second of it. It made empathize and understand other generations more and have an open mindset towards them and their way of thinking and their own perspective to life.
.
🍂
July 6, 2023
As an industry professional, I’m using this book as one of the references while building training content to be delivered to leaders later this year. While the author is really effective when presenting data and information, when he injects his insight it comes across as a Boomer yelling at clouds.
That said, there’s a lot to be taken from this book. Just know that it’s written from a definite place of bias. He repeatedly demonstrates that he doesn’t understand the younger generations at all, and quite frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if some of his anecdotes were made up. They’re that convenient.
If you can ignore that he’s obsessed with thinking every Gen Z person loves Billie Eilish and that Millennials are entitled, you’ll actually get a really good foundational understanding of the characteristics between the different generations in the workforce and context of how the divide plays out at work.
That said, there’s a lot to be taken from this book. Just know that it’s written from a definite place of bias. He repeatedly demonstrates that he doesn’t understand the younger generations at all, and quite frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if some of his anecdotes were made up. They’re that convenient.
If you can ignore that he’s obsessed with thinking every Gen Z person loves Billie Eilish and that Millennials are entitled, you’ll actually get a really good foundational understanding of the characteristics between the different generations in the workforce and context of how the divide plays out at work.
September 18, 2023
I read this for a work 'book club.' I will say it's a fast read, but I wasn't swayed by the content.
Much of the book discusses nuances to each generation, but in spite of saying it's not stereotyping, that's exactly what it feels like.
There are some helpful exercises/activities in the book. Most of them don't require a focus on generational gaps to be effective as bettering workplace communication is universally helpful. The one generational focused activity that I thought had potential is reverse/mentoring, but my experience tells me I'd need more substantive data to prove its value before a company would invest the time.
Much of the book discusses nuances to each generation, but in spite of saying it's not stereotyping, that's exactly what it feels like.
There are some helpful exercises/activities in the book. Most of them don't require a focus on generational gaps to be effective as bettering workplace communication is universally helpful. The one generational focused activity that I thought had potential is reverse/mentoring, but my experience tells me I'd need more substantive data to prove its value before a company would invest the time.
April 28, 2024
The authors style contains dramatic flare that sometimes oversimplifies, but I was still grateful to engage with this topic through reading his content.
I read it with a friend in order to keep me accountable to read it (I’ve had it on my book list for a while, and knew the content would be relevant), and I’m so glad I did, since it was even more enriching to discuss it with her. We each discovered parallels and connections to our lives and relationships that helped to illustrate what the author was asserting. We also had points of disagreement with the author and were able to process those together as well.
I am fascinated by differences between people - cultural, social, personality-based, etc - and generational differences are equally intriguing. The lists of the characteristics of each generation (Builders, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z), which were supported by research studies as well as by the author’s own research and experience, were interesting and helpful. And the continual return of the author to the theme of building bridges across the relational and working gaps between coworkers was a great posture, and often supported by practical considerations and ideas.
Overall, this book is impacting my family relationships as well as my working relationships in a meaningful way - bringing understanding & respect for differences, rather than simply dismissing the behaviors and values of older or younger generations.
I read it with a friend in order to keep me accountable to read it (I’ve had it on my book list for a while, and knew the content would be relevant), and I’m so glad I did, since it was even more enriching to discuss it with her. We each discovered parallels and connections to our lives and relationships that helped to illustrate what the author was asserting. We also had points of disagreement with the author and were able to process those together as well.
I am fascinated by differences between people - cultural, social, personality-based, etc - and generational differences are equally intriguing. The lists of the characteristics of each generation (Builders, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z), which were supported by research studies as well as by the author’s own research and experience, were interesting and helpful. And the continual return of the author to the theme of building bridges across the relational and working gaps between coworkers was a great posture, and often supported by practical considerations and ideas.
Overall, this book is impacting my family relationships as well as my working relationships in a meaningful way - bringing understanding & respect for differences, rather than simply dismissing the behaviors and values of older or younger generations.
January 15, 2024
Just finishing this up and it was an excellent, insightful read! I originally picked it up in response to generational concerns in two of the organizations of which I’m a member, but quickly realized it applied to my immediate work team as well even though we’re all within 8-10 years old of each other. The book covers timely research on issues of generational diversity and covers the five generations that are typically present in most organizations today- Builders, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. With each group, Elmore reviews the world events that have shaped them, their approach to work, teams, collaboration, etc., and how best to incorporate their knowledge, values, and strengths into your organization to maximize the diversity they bring to the table. Elmore even includes helpful team activities to discuss generational diversity with your teams. It’s definitely worth a read!
Read
January 1, 2023The book gets better by the 3rd or 4th chapter - fascinating insights onto each generation.
From younger to older - especially referring to people in the workforce, we read that :
- younger workers want to fool his/her heart even at work while an older worker is more primed to follow the values of an organisation.
- younger workers want to be trusted while to older workers, trust must be earned.
- "Accept me for who I am"; while older workers are geared to sacrifice his individuality for the good of the team.
- Equality : older workers seek equal opportunities for all ; younger workers seek equal outcomes.
So much to learn about my own generation as well as the generations that I work alongside with.
From younger to older - especially referring to people in the workforce, we read that :
- younger workers want to fool his/her heart even at work while an older worker is more primed to follow the values of an organisation.
- younger workers want to be trusted while to older workers, trust must be earned.
- "Accept me for who I am"; while older workers are geared to sacrifice his individuality for the good of the team.
- Equality : older workers seek equal opportunities for all ; younger workers seek equal outcomes.
So much to learn about my own generation as well as the generations that I work alongside with.
January 9, 2023
Are you having generational conflict in your organization or business? Then this is a book that is a must read for you. Over the past year I have had the opportunity to hear Tim Elmore speak two times and I found his research fascinating. When I learned that Elmore was releasing this book, I made sure to purchase a copy.
I work with people in four of the generations that Elmore writes about and the information he provides is laid out in a format that is easy to read and follow. This is not a book to read one time and put on the shelf. Keep it nearby and use as a reference for working with the different generations. If you read, digest, and apply the information in this book, then you are taking great strides to close the generational gap.
I work with people in four of the generations that Elmore writes about and the information he provides is laid out in a format that is easy to read and follow. This is not a book to read one time and put on the shelf. Keep it nearby and use as a reference for working with the different generations. If you read, digest, and apply the information in this book, then you are taking great strides to close the generational gap.
February 17, 2023
"I don't understand that generation and why they're like that." "Why can't they see that doing it this way is better?" If you've ever thought or said those two things, I'm sure you're not alone. Tim Elmore's book is my next step in helping me understand those who came before and the generations that will help shape our futures. I don't think this book is just for managers and leaders, I wholeheartedly believe this book is beneficial for anyone who is looking to understand how each generation functions and how we can work together. It was
eye-opening.
eye-opening.
August 22, 2023
I wanted to get more. I feel like this book, written by a fellow Boomer was more concrete as he spoke about Silent Generation and Boomer and even so-so on GenX. But then he get increasingly less factual and more stereotypical for the younger generations. There were some interesting parts so it was worth reading. At that point I’d have given this a 3.5.
What lost another half star and came in at a solid 3 instead was the constant theme of sales pitch and references to his other books, his speaking services, his consulting right up to the last pages where he has ads in his own book.
What lost another half star and came in at a solid 3 instead was the constant theme of sales pitch and references to his other books, his speaking services, his consulting right up to the last pages where he has ads in his own book.
November 20, 2022
Excellent practical book. Every leader should read it It will make me a better leader of Gen Z employees. At its core it promotes understanding between different generations vs pointing fingers at shortcomings. Reverse mentoring is a concept I’m going to use as a result of reading this book. Well done!
August 1, 2023
A great discussion of the age diversity that many companies are experiencing. It really helped me see some beneficial methods of dealing with conflicts that can arise between diverse personnel and also methods to develop and foster the benefits of this diversity. A great team read for a company's book club or leadership team.
August 22, 2023
Excellent analysis of the emerging generation and how leaders can proactively engage the cultural shifts evidence in Gen Zs. Elmore’s insights are supported by the sociological research he is known to provide and his customary recommendations for embracing these realities.
What I appreciate most is the way generational trends are utilized to offer practical ways for older workers to form meaningful relationships — such as the Gen Z trend to seek out older voices to help interpret the complexities in the Information Age. And, the obvious fact that older leaders need the Gen Zers super techie perspectives to navigate societal changes.
These generational trends are gratefully not fossilized into the customary stereotypes that plague much of public discourse on inter-generational dynamics. I found Elmore transparent yet positive. He is not blind to the potentialities nor the flaws of the five current generations in American society. This steady analysis which is buoyed by an obvious desire for open engagement makes A New Kind of Diversity an important read.
What I appreciate most is the way generational trends are utilized to offer practical ways for older workers to form meaningful relationships — such as the Gen Z trend to seek out older voices to help interpret the complexities in the Information Age. And, the obvious fact that older leaders need the Gen Zers super techie perspectives to navigate societal changes.
These generational trends are gratefully not fossilized into the customary stereotypes that plague much of public discourse on inter-generational dynamics. I found Elmore transparent yet positive. He is not blind to the potentialities nor the flaws of the five current generations in American society. This steady analysis which is buoyed by an obvious desire for open engagement makes A New Kind of Diversity an important read.
October 5, 2023
Such a needed book for right now. Elmore gives an in depth analysis of each generation and the values that are commonly held within each generation and how those values can create friction between generations. A must read for anyone managing others in the work place or for those trying to figure out how to better lead up with their employer. This book will change how you lead!
March 31, 2025
While this book was good intended and has some helpful tips....it is completely through a white lense. He makes swooping statements that may have been true for white Americans but doesn't ever address racial difference accross generations due to inequality. The author often comes accross as a mile wide inch deep.
February 16, 2023
I found this a fascinating book that explains the difference between the five generations starting from the Builder to Gen Z and how we can work together to succeed on teams. I will re read it. I also like that it has accompanying PDFs on audible.
February 23, 2023
Really insightful descriptions of each of the generations and why they have the perspective they do. The end has a lot of tips and ways to consider how to get the generations to work well together. Helpful for reference
June 26, 2024
The first half of this book was extremely insightful, rich with detail and great statistics. The comparison between generations and action steps was so interesting. The second half of the book was not as insightful, and the author delved into political issues that did not seem relevant.
February 20, 2023
Great read. Learned a lot about working w younger generations.
February 20, 2023
This is an excellent book for anyone dealing with a generation other than their own. S0, that would be everyone. You will find parts of this book difficult to read. Chew slowly if necessary.
May 22, 2023
Great book. Listened for work book club
June 8, 2023
So timely with all the changes happening in the church and the workplace!
June 11, 2023
Lots of great information around the different generations and what we can learn if we work and collaborate with each one. The last few chapters included good ideas on what you can do.
September 18, 2023
I love Tim Elmore. This book taught me what I didn’t know I needed to know. The stories and the descriptions of “eras” helped me see how the office setting needs an open mind for all ages.
November 22, 2023
This was recommended by a friend who is a principal. Very interesting!
February 18, 2024
A great professional development read that sheds light on generations in the workplace.
July 8, 2024
I stopped reading when I found a false citation in Chapter 3. Socrates never said this nor did Plato write it: "Children now love luxury..."
August 29, 2024
Incredibly enlightening. Highly recommend.
February 2, 2025
Very helpful perspective!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews