Bridging the Generation Gap: How to Get Radio Babies, Boomers, Gen Xers, and Gen Yers to Work Together and Achieve More

Chapter 1

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?!

Linda gravett:

Does this sound familiar?

The sales manager, a man about 50 years old, is at the front of the room. He’s addressing sales reps of varying ages who have flown in for the annual meeting.As the sales manager is explaining next year’s goals and exhorting everyone to “pull together” to achieve targets, a group at a table in the back is clearly disengaged. There’s a lot of eye rolling and pretend gagging from this group of 25-to-30-year-olds.

What’s going on?

I’ve observed this scenario—or versions of it—frequently over the past few years: Older, experienced staff tries to guide and lead the “young pups.” That guidance, though well intentioned, isn’t always well received.

As a consultant called ...