For the first time in history, there are four generations in the work force. Although this is an exciting time, it is not without challenges. Working with the generations requires patience and understanding. Each generation brings a new perspective, but we need to learn to value the new ideas, and embrace the change that each new generation brings.
Ten years ago, when I started teaching classes at the local university, I was typically ten years younger than the majority of the students. Now, I am at least ten years older than the majority of the students - and many of my students are in their early to mid-twenties. This diversity in the generations is not without challenge. I cannot expect to teach all of the students in the same way. I have to be flexible and open to new ways of getting my message across. The same is true anywhere you have a blend of the generations. All bring a unique perspective and different ways of relating to their environment.
All of my students at the university must present a report on the challenges and benefits of working with the generations. Most of the students believe that their generation is the best. It is human nature to believe that the generation we are part of is the best. The truth is - they all add value. The trick is to be open to the new ideas and changes that each generation brings.
The four generations: The Matures - born prior to 1946; the Baby Boomers - born between 1946 through 1964; Generation X - born between 1965 through 1980, and the Millennials - born 1981 through 1994, all bring with them different perspectives on life and work. The Matures are dedicated to a job once they take it, the Boomers live to work, Generation X work to live, and the Millennials live in the moment. All have great ideas to bring to the workforce and all can benefit the organization, but we have to learn to value the differences and not get caught up in thinking our generation's way is the best way.
I believe the biggest problem with working with the generations is understanding them. It is easy to stereotype a generation if you haven't taken the time to learn about them. The more you know about a generation, the more you can appreciate them and value their contribution. Reading about the various generations is a great start. The best research of all, though, is to talk to people of various generations, ask questions, and listen.
Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching ? Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com. Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com
True Direction, Inc. Copyright
>>>This article along with byline attached may be freely republished
![]() Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:51:23 GMT Falcons' Ryan is not your typical rookie QB - FOXSports.com
FOXSports.com - by Alex Marvez Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 14 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America. Falcons missed chances in red zone Bears rally late, fall to Falcons on last-second FG Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:14:27 GMT First Second-Generation Astronaut, Richard Garriott, Launched Into ... - AHN
AHN - Vienna, VA (AHN)-Space Adventures, Ltd, a company that provides space missions to the global community, announced that client Richard Garriott and his crew successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space ... Video: Raw Video: US space tourist begins journey US game designer blasts into space with DNA cargo Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:28:36 GMT Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Cancer survivor shares her story - Naples Daily News
Naples Daily News - By LIANE SMITH (Contact) She felt pain in her breasts. One of her aunt’s died in February from breast cancer. Another aunt, in her 60s now, has battled it on and off for more than a dozen years. Pink And Purple Join To Help Women Breast Cancer Awareness Month Should Be Prevention Month! Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:31:44 GMT Palin talks economic worries in Appalachian Ohio - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AP) - Sarah Palin told voters in southeastern Ohio on Sunday that she and running mate John McCain would bring jobs back to this economically depressed piece of Appalachia. John McCain and Sarah Palin try new tactics US-POLITICS Summary Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:11:58 GMT UPDATE 1-Tropical Storm Nana forms in Atlantic - Reuters Reuters - MIAMI, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Nana, the 14th of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed on Sunday in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Caribbean islands, the US National Hurricane Center said. Forecasters: Tropical Storm Nana forms in Atlantic Tropical Storm Nana Forms Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:29:57 GMT Tigers still seeking QB to turn season around - SportingNews.com
SportingNews.com - AP Sports Wri AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- The Auburn Tigers didn't figure they'd be in this position: Unranked, desperately trying to salvage a once-promising season and still seeking a quarterback solution seven games into the season. Tuberville And Tigers Trying To Regroup A Pig Sooie Shocker in Auburn Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:13:08 GMT Mighty Chihuahuas Eclipse DiCaprio and Crowe in Test of Star Power - New York Times New York Times - By BROOKS BARNES LOS ANGELES - This is how far movie stars have fallen in their ability to pull audiences into theaters, at least when the story revolves around Iraq and the messiness of the Middle East: A picture about talking dogs, “Beverly Hills ... Dogs rule: 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' No. 1 again 'Chihuahua' fetches $17.5M, remains top movie dog Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:18:44 GMT Amazon Associate Feed |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Body jewelry and body piercing practices have been observed by... Read More 'Mr. Rhodes aspired to be the creator of one of... Read More Amber, the gem of a stone that's not really a... Read More At first, all Inuit soapstone sculptures from the Arctic may... Read More The history of the royal barges dates back to the... Read More Watch any of the major movie, television, and music award... Read More One month after being cleared of sex assault charges, Michael... Read More A little girl came up to her mom in the... Read More Xenophon was a 4th Century BC Greek cavalry officer and... Read More The red Dragon was introduced to Britain during Roman times.... Read More Feng shui handles five main elements in order to achieve... Read More Original Tribal masks are often seen by unknowing eyes as... Read More A comedian once showed a newspaper to his audience. The... Read More There are many ways to interpret the symbolism found in... Read More Blown glass, a very ancient technique, is the oldest among... Read More I freely confess that I have had a life-long love... Read More Flashes of memory stream into my consciousness. They take me... Read More Collecting art can be one of the most enjoyable ways... Read More Opinions about astrological prediction are generally divided: "Mysterious! Magical!", say... Read More I hate to break it to you, but humans are... Read More Today there is a growing need to examine all our... Read More "Ouvea is everything you'd expect in a South Pacific island.... Read More Celebrity stalking has become the way for the socially inept... Read More The Million dollars was my life-savings earmarked for prime the... Read More What fairy tales of enchanted princesses and legendary lore of... Read More
Adsense
websites
Body Jewelry and Todays Stars
What About Those Pyramids?
Amber Mysteries Revealed
The Different Styles of Inuit Sculptures
History of the Royal Barges - a Timeless Tradition
Hip-hop Jewelry and Todays Stars
Michael Jacksons Latest Album Has Flopped
True Story; Why Can?t We all Just Get Along?
Books on Horsemanship - Xenophon Had it Right
What is Y Ddraig Goch - the Welsh Red Dragon?
The Five Feng Shui Elements and Their Characteristics
Tribal Masks
Astrology Refuted: They Should Have Seen It Coming
Tarot Cards Demystified: The Suit of Pentacles
Egyptian Handmade Perfume Bottles
The Power of Words
Violence
Smart Art Investments - Buy What You Love!
Understanding Astrological Predictions
Humans are not special, hate to break it to you
Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 1
Return to Ouvea, New Caledonia
Personal Protection Specialists and Celebrity Stalking
How I lost A million Dollars In A Bank Robbery
Precious Stones - The Big Five: Part 2, The Ruby
What does it mean to live "between the points?" What... Read More
Human beings have always been curious to know their future.... Read More
Ever walked into a house that felt like home? Ever... Read More
The Bedouin culture has a long history of beautiful costumes,... Read More
If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you... Read More
The Shwedagon Paya is much more than just another temple.... Read More
So why are these swords so popular? There are several... Read More
Wearing birthstone jewelry is very popular today. Not only is... Read More
Many 'fabulous' personages and concepts are created by man. Some... Read More
Watch any of the major movie, television, and music award... Read More
The North South Hemisphere Question:The question of whether or not... Read More
Lord Renfrew, Disney Professor of Archaeology at Cambridge University states:... Read More
Anchor tattoos were all the rage for sailors. It was... Read More
Tribal tattoos have been practiced for thousands of years. Modern... Read More
By "nobility" I refer to that class in society which... Read More
Students of Shakespeare have spent a very great deal of... Read More
Passion was the main stuff of journalism long before the... Read More
I hate to break it to you, but humans are... Read More
Psychic readings can be an invaluable tool for obtaining answers... Read More
I have a small website where I try to sell... Read More
Like many other aboriginal cultures around the world, the Inuit... Read More
"Babe" Didrickson Zaharias was a phenomenal athlete. This Texan ran,... Read More
This article is from the pen of a New Zealander... Read More
"Ron, I can't take much more of his sleazy behavior!... Read More
One of the northern derivatives of Hopewell of interest to... Read More
Humanities |