University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Generations Inc.
Book

Generations Inc.

From Boomers to Linksters – Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work

Meagan Johnson and Larry Johnson
AMACOM, 2010
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

For the first time in US history, five generations populate the workplace. They range from the eldest “Traditionals” born before 1945 to the youngest “Linksters” born after 1995. Sandwiched in between are “Baby Boomers, Generation X” and “Generation Y.” Intergenerational specialists Meagan Johnson (Gen X) and her father Larry Johnson (Boomer) offer point and counterpoint examples from their personal and professional backgrounds as part of their innovative model for managing across the ages. While the research is specific to the United States, getAbstract believes international managers can also absorb some useful ideas from this fascinating book and recommends it to managers and workers who want to bridge the generation gap.

Summary

From Generation to Generation

For the first time ever, people from five generations share the US workplace: “Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y” and “Linksters.” Their traits affect how employees and managers perceive one another. Managers must bring these generations together to work for the best interests of the group and company as a whole. Certain “signposts” define each generation:

  • “Personal” and “group signposts” – Past events in individuals’ lives or the lives of their generational cohort can have a lasting personal and professional impact. From the group perspective, these signposts include identification or association with certain demographic subsets – for example, how you identify with your race and gender.
  • “Generational signposts” – Specific historic events affecting one generation more than others – for example, Woodstock’s impact on Boomers.
  • “Life laws” – Events that occurred before your memory but which affect your life. For example, Gen Xers and Gen Yers never experienced racial segregation in schools, so they know nothing other than an integrated society.

About the Authors

Meagan Johnson and Larry Johnson are the Johnson Training Group, a consulting firm specializing in enhancing corporate culture and intergenerational workplaces.

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