1. Part 1 Mind The Gap
1.1. Foreword & Introduction
1.1.1. The persisting idea that the younger generation are lazy and disrespectful.
1.1.1.1. "the generation gap is more distinct because new technology creates subcultures"
1.1.2. the significance of the first two decades of life shape us
1.2. 1. Who are today's clashing generations?
1.2.1. How do we understand each generations?
1.2.1.1. Practicing social intelligence (p.26).
1.2.2. What are the things we should know when it comes to recognizing every generation?
1.2.3. Why should we take the effort to understand the different generations in our team?
1.2.4. Talk It Over
1.2.4.1. 1. Where do you see evidence of generational differences on your team or in your office?
1.2.4.2. 2. What do you think are some of the dangers of this, if left unchecked?
1.2.4.3. 3. Do you see any positive elements in the various generations where you work?
1.3. 2. Why it's important to understand the generations next to you?
1.3.1. These important events influence behaviors and can guide the narrative of emerging popultion.
1.3.1.1. Life cycle events
1.3.1.2. Period effects
1.3.1.3. Cohort effects
1.3.2. Timing and Titles
1.3.2.1. The Builder Generation (1929 - 1945)
1.3.2.2. The Baby Boomer Generation (1946 - 1964)
1.3.2.3. The Baby Buster Generation (1965 - 1982)
1.3.2.4. The Millenial Generation (1983 - 2000)
1.3.2.5. Generation Z (2001 - 2015)
1.3.3. "We tend to stay with peers, folks who are like us, instead of putting in the work of building bridges to others" (p.45)
1.4. 3. Is there really a generation gap today?
1.4.1. Why is the gap widening? (p.58)
1.4.1.1. Rapid changes in culture
1.4.1.1.1. I think about the culture of start ups, influencers, the rise of abbreviations in our language.
1.4.1.1.2. Who are the modern day heroes?
1.4.1.2. Increased life expectancy
1.4.1.3. The mobility of society
1.4.1.4. Shifting economies
1.4.1.5. New technologies and media
1.4.2. Bridging The Gap (p.64)
1.4.2.1. 1. Find ways to group up and put multigenerational events on the calendar.
1.4.2.1.1. Practice intentionality with spending time with people unlike us.
1.4.2.2. 2. When in debate, start by acknowledging where both generations agree.
1.4.2.3. 3. Explain your temperament and style when you offer feedback.
1.4.2.4. 4. Express the "story you are telling yourself"
1.4.2.4.1. Realize that we have narratives that we have about others that may be inaccurate.
1.4.3. "Each generation brings tailored expectations with them into the marketplace" (p.66)
1.4.4. "We often meet someone and think they are different, but people are not inherently different: our differences lie between us. not within us" (p.67)
2. Part 2 Manage The Gap
2.1. Builder Generation (1929 - 1945)
2.1.1. The silent generation
2.2. Baby Boomers (1946 - 1964)
2.2.1. Realities that shaped baby boombers
2.2.1.1. A time of expansion, not depression. Baby boomers are idealistic
2.2.1.1.1. Q: What is it like when your parents are idealistic?
2.2.1.2. A time of hope. Baby boomers are audacious.
2.2.1.3. Information become more accessible. Baby boomers question authority.
2.2.1.4. Baby boomers grew up with television. Their expectations climbed.
2.2.1.5. Baby boomers learned to compete because the generation was large.
2.2.2. Steps to connect with Baby Boomers
2.2.2.1. Recognize their experience and expectations.
2.2.2.2. Ask them to share their past roles and show appreciation for what they can offer.
2.2.2.3. Allow them significant responsibility.
2.2.2.4. Give them space and resources. Don't micromanage.
2.2.2.5. Call on them to give back and coach others.
2.2.2.6. Remind them of their younger years when they get impatient.
2.3. Generation X (1965 - 1982)
2.3.1. What Gen X has to contribute?
2.3.1.1. Realism
2.3.1.1.1. The keeping it real mentality
2.3.1.2. Authenticity
2.3.1.2.1. bringing their selves to work
2.3.1.3. Balance
2.3.1.3.1. Work-life-balance ideal
2.3.1.4. Resourcefulness
2.3.1.4.1. know how to get things done with limited resources
2.3.1.5. Pragmatic wisdom
2.3.1.5.1. expresses doubt but also asking questions
2.3.1.5.2. challenge the status quo
2.3.1.5.3. offers wisdom
2.4. Millenials (1983 - 2000)
2.4.1. What Millennials have to contribute?
2.4.1.1. Confidence
2.4.1.1.1. welcome organizational mentors
2.4.1.2. Energy
2.4.1.2.1. vitality and ideation
2.4.1.3. Tech Sense
2.4.1.3.1. Intuitive understanding of tech and ways to leverage it for marketing and communication
2.4.1.4. Sociality
2.4.1.4.1. Great with team work
2.4.1.4.2. Relate to team members as community of friends
2.4.1.5. Creativity
2.4.1.5.1. innovation
2.4.1.6. Optimism
2.4.1.6.1. optimistic about reaching their goals
2.4.1.7. Love of family
2.4.1.7.1. Relational
2.4.1.8. Awareness of their influence
2.4.1.8.1. social media influence
2.4.1.8.2. virality
2.5. Generation Z (2001 - 2015)
2.5.1. Key descriptions of Gen Z
2.5.1.1. Fluid
2.5.1.1.1. Their sense of self is ever-changing
2.5.1.2. Overwhelmed
2.5.1.2.1. Rise in mental health issues
2.5.1.2.2. Contemplated suicide
2.5.1.2.3. Anxiety and depression from high use of social media
2.5.1.3. Reinvention
2.5.1.4. Entrepreneurial
2.5.1.4.1. own boss
2.5.1.4.2. create own app
2.5.1.5. Independent
2.5.1.5.1. being social in isolation
2.5.1.6. Geek
2.5.1.7. Networked
2.5.2. In the land of tomorrow, Gen Z are the natives, and we (the rest) are the immigrants.
2.5.3. What Gen Z wants at work
2.5.3.1. Accessibility and Connection
2.5.3.1.1. need to be able to reach supervisors for questions and concerns
2.5.3.2. Autonomy and Independence
2.5.3.2.1. they want to figure out things on their own
2.5.3.3. Appreciation and Respect
2.5.3.3.1. No hierarchal or ranking
2.5.3.4. Adaptability and Change
2.5.3.4.1. open and embrace change
2.5.3.5. Acceptance and Inclusion
2.5.3.6. Acknowledgement and Recognition
2.5.4. What Gen Z has to contribute
2.5.4.1. Hacker Mindset
2.5.4.1.1. resourceful and self sufficient
2.5.4.2. Entrepreneurial
2.5.4.2.1. build apps
2.5.4.2.2. start up mindset
2.5.4.3. Cause-Oriented
2.5.4.3.1. something bigger than themselves
2.5.4.4. Social Media Cunning
2.5.4.4.1. they know how to monetize it
2.5.4.4.2. tell a story
2.5.4.4.3. give a shout out
2.5.4.5. DIY Disposition
2.5.4.5.1. find their own answers (information)
2.5.4.6. Fresh Perspective
2.5.4.6.1. knowledge about subcultures and new paradigms
2.5.4.7. Savvy
2.5.4.7.1. Overexposed to information