For the first time in history, the US workforce spans five generations – The Silent Generation (a few lingering in the workforce!), Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y), and Generation Z – with Gen Alpha about eight or 10 years away. Each generation has slightly different tendencies and needs, so leaders should consider those differences and tailor their approaches for things such as communication, work environment, development and career path. With the increasing focus on DEI, understanding and adjusting leadership approaches to address diversity in age will help organizations increase workforce effectiveness, satisfaction, and engagement.
The Performance Excellence Network — in partnership with Greater Mankato Growth and the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence — is pleased to host an online webinar discussion on Thursday, February 23: “Managing Generational Differences in the Workplace.”
As we all know, generations are “birth cohorts,” where people born around the same time have similar characteristics and tendencies, primarily because they experience similar environmental factors in their formative years. For example, the Silent Generation were all raised during the Great Depression, Millennials during the rapidly accelerating digital and social media age, and today’s Gen Alpha youth during the pandemic. When you were born influences your preferences in communication and use of technology, work environment, and to an extent social behaviors. If leaders better understand and customize their approaches to meet the needs of different generations, they will be more successful in creating an environment that optimizes performance and increases workforce satisfaction and engagement.
The discussion will start with an overview of generational differences by Dr. Joe Wohkittel, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Mankato State University. Joe will outline some of the differences in the various generations – as well as debunk some of the myths surrounding generational differences – and will present some insights and emerging good practices in leading different cohorts of workers.
We will then hear three “mini case studies,” each delivered by leaders of different types of organizations (a manufacturer, a professional service firm, and a healthcare system). Each will spend a few minutes sharing how their organizations are customizing their leadership approaches to meet the diversity of generations in their workforce, exploring topics such as communication, use of technology, creating flexible and more resilient work environments and staffing models, development and career pathing. We will hear from:
- Carlee Diggins, Senior Consultant, Organizational Transformation, Deloitte (Minneapolis)
- Allie Nowotny, Senior HR Business Partner, Essentia Health (Fargo)
- Erin Berle, Business Optimization Manager, Harry Meyering Center (Mankato)
This session is Thursday, February 23 from 8:00-9:00 CT (optional networking and mingling 7:45-8:00) using Zoom MEETING. Grab your coffee and breakfast, and join us for a rich discussion. Free for PEN/GMG/WCPE members; $20 for non-members.
Can’t make it live but interested in the content? Register anyway: all registered attendees get a link to the recording after the session!
