Generations at Work: Managing the Clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your Workplace: Managing the Clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, Nexters in Your Workplace

by Ron Zemke

"Walk through the tightly packed, hierarchically flattened corridors of America's businesses and what do you hear? Not the sounds of harmony. Instead, you'll probably hear the grumbles of irritation as people with wholly different ways of working, talking, and thinking have been tossed together side by side, cubicle by cubicle. It's the teeth-gritting sound of generations in collision.

Charlie, for example, is 61 and desperate for some clear, straightforward guidance from his 43-year-old boss Mary, who, in turn, is using her trademark heartfelt, buzzword-laden management style in an attempt to radically alter Charlie's work processes. Jane, meanwhile, the 29-year-old technical wizard of the team, sits sullenly in her cubicle, unimpressed with either of them, and they with her.

None of them understands the other. None of them knows how to communicate with the other. And it's causing headaches and havoc for managers trying to mold this hodgepodge of ages, faces, values, and views into a productive, collaborative group.

Now, with GENERATIONS AT WORK, there's clear, concrete help. Written by a team of distinguished cross-generational authors, this groundbreaking book supplies fresh, provocative insights and practical solutions for understanding differences, resolving conflicts, and managing effectively in today's age-diverse workplace. Both sweeping in scope and highly specific, the book gives

* Astute profiles of four distinct Learn about the Veterans (b. 1922-1943), Baby Boomers (b. 1943-1960), Gen Xers (b.1960-1980), and the Nexters (b.1980-), including their demographics, the events that shaped their lives and times, predominant traits, work styles, and key messages to keep in mind when recruiting, developing, and motivating these members of your workforce. * Illuminating case studies in generational Go behind the scenes of five major companies that treat generational mixing as an asset. * A powerful practice Solve the plight of Charlie Roth, a fictionalized manager facing a cross-generational crisis--then read how 7 outside experts tackled the problem. * Hardhitting answers to the 21 most frequently asked questions about managing in a multigenerational workplace--plus much more!

For anyone struggling to manage people who just don't see work (or life) the same way, GENERATIONS AT WORK helps you understand the gulf that separates the generations--and offers practical guidelines for building a harmonious workforce where people rally together for the organization, not against each other. "

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Leadership, Management

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Dorene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This well-written book is formatted in such a way that it can be read cover to cover, or picked apart by section. I like this approach, and I particularly like the end of chapter/section breakdowns that focus on how to best motivate, develop, and manage each generational group.

The only thing that is a "con" for me regarding this book is its age. Written in 2000, it does cannot give full treatise to Generation Y (here referred to as "Nexters"), nor can it address the newest generation to join the workforce: Generation Z.

I would love to see the authors produce an updated edition.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not the best nonfiction book I have ever read, it was very interesting. Unfortnately it was writen in 2000 so I had to go on their website to really learn about what they call the "Nexter" generation though. Worth reading if your workplace involves people from various generations working together (more business focused though.)

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and enlightening. Needed the information about GenXers. I'm a boomer and my daughter is a nexter so have those nailed. GenXers were a blank page and am supervising one.

[Tina Zellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave insight into age diversity and generational differences in today's work environment. Important to understand in order to effectively impact teamwork, productivity, enhanced culture, etc.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked it and recommend it for writers at all levels.

[OhioRedBird · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for it's time. There is a revision I will read but this one is almost twenty years old so out of date.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it explained several things.

[Andrea Hintz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting from a psychological standpoint.

[Sherri · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a far cry from putting gen xers in a positive light. It seems the other generations have something positive to contribute, but in the writers' opinion, we somehow are skeptical, unimpressed, and reluctant to commit (pg 155). If someone introduced me at work and said I had these qualities, I would be highly offended. How about getting to know someone as an individual rather than a (negative) stereotype? Ah, but there again is just a gen xer asking one of their many annoying questions. I'm in a no win situation here and it sucks.

[Hollowell Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very original book. The authors are labor market researchers who found five generations working in America today. They consist of WWII Veterans (some of whom still work as volunteers), Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials, and members of Generation Z. The authors found patterns that are fascinating. Generations are shaped by key events, and they are quite distinct. I held multi-generational panels in class that were very successful, and my college students agreed with the patterns. The authors provide suggestions for multi-generational workshops.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it said "workplace" in the title, but the definition of that was more limited than I would have liked, considering that I am a public school teacher and can't help but think of the three generations currently teaching at my school. In any event, I fear for the state of education when all of us Boomers are gone!

[Margaret Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

So that explains it. Now I get it. Not all generations are alike and should not be analyzed through the same myopic lens.