...A Facilitator's Conundrum: Facilitating in a Multi-generational Learning Environment Michele Hickman Sullivan University Managing Organizational Conflict CMM521X Dr. Susan Raines May 7, 2014 A Facilitator's Conundrum: Facilitating in a Multi-generational Learning Environment Introduction Learning and development are essential tools in talent management for the American workforce. The ability to learn and grow helps an organization recruit and retain top talent, as well as grow existing talent. These learning opportunities are presented to various individuals at various times. When new talent is hired, individuals with a variety knowledge, skills, and experiences are pulled together in one learning environment, a classroom, to learn the essential tasks required to perform their new role. These individuals are guided on their learning path by a facilitator. The facilitator’s role is to ensure knowledge transfer occurs to each individual in their classroom audience while maintaining an environment conducive to learning. Today’s classroom audience makes this responsibility even more challenging. The facilitator not only has to find the common denominator in knowledge, skills, and experiences; he/she also has to deliver the content simultaneously to a multi-generational audience. An audience with participants who has only heard of a typewriter or seen one in “historical” pictures to others who remember the major family purchase of a colored television and each...
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...21st century workforce ” A company’s workforce represents one of its most valuable resources: for this reason the way this workforce is managed represents a critical element in enhancing internal effectiveness and improving the organization’s competitiveness” (Rennie 2003)”. Introduction Most HR management systems available in most firms were formed at a time when business and technological practices were completely different. As the world is becoming more economic globalized so is the workforce. The 21st century workforce will consist of multi-generational team and a mix of minorities. With a more diverse and complex workforce, the challenges facing the HR managers also expands. There are several issues faced by contemporary business leaders. First is globalization-which is the present flow of capital, goods, services, ideas, people, and information virtually. Second is talent acquisition and talent management issues- HR Administrations are still struggling with managing their talent efficiently. Most corporate employment and talent meanings are reactive and hardly are they future focused. Third is fruitful human capital administration-the explanation to handling your multi-generational staff. As we move towards 2020 there will be four generations working side by side, how can we accomplish knowledge transfer and maintain good team work when there exists intergenerational problems due to generational differences in values. To maintain a productive workforce requires a...
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...Over time, the multi-generational workforce will influence the organizational work ethic, perceptions of organizational hierarchy, work relationships and ways of managing change. The literature suggests that as a result of differing experiences and perspectives, strongly held attitudes and diverse motivators, there will be an impact on two specific areas of human resource policy and employee development: retention and motivation. To successfully retain and leverage talent of all generations, the following studies represent the growing foundation of evidence to make changes in company culture, HR policies, benefits and programs. No matter which generation, the work environment tends to either attract or repel individuals. An exploratory study examined dimensions of employee fit with work environments and the impact of employee job satisfaction and turnover intention among different generations. The findings suggest that employees in the Baby Boom generation value work relationships as a contributor to employee satisfaction, whereas for Generations X and Y, the work environment fit (potential for career growth, decision-making opportunities, autonomy and job challenge) is a primary retention factor. Work/life balance is a key commonality among the four generations. A recent study that explored generational effects on work-family conflict in the United States suggests that changes reflect family and career stage differences. For example, “family interfering with work” has...
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...Running head: GENERATIONS IN THE WORKFORCE 1 Generations in the Workforce John Johnson and Jack Smith Liberty University GENERATIONS IN THE WORKFORCE Abstract Single paragraph, double-spaced, not indented, and between 150 and 250 words. Keywords: employee attitudes, personnel management, age factors 2 GENERATIONS IN THE WORKFORCE Generations in the Workforce 3 Researchers have tried to categorize employees into contemporary work cohorts based on the eras in which they started working (Robbins & Judge, 2009, p. 119). Robbins and Judge (2009) observed that since the average age to enter the workforce is between 18 and 23, the cohorts are loosely based on the chronological age of their demographic and ostensibly reflect the dominant values and job attitudes of their representative generations (p.119). This paper is a systematic discussion of three topics related to contemporary work cohorts: (a) the reality and specifics of the management issues associated with having a multigenerational employee base, (b) the profiles of each of the four generations that compose the workforce today, and (c) advice for company leadership on turning the diverse perspectives of a cross-generational workforce from challenge into advantage. The Significance of the Generational Gap at the Workplace The fact that the phrase “generational gap” is part of everyday vocabulary, suggest that the phrase denotes something real, which makes the theory appear prima facie true. Furthermore...
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...5/1/2015 | Gaining the respect and therefore generating the productivity and performance of a multi-generational team or employee will be discussed in this article. | Generations in an Ever-Changing Workplace What are the benefits of having a multi-generational workforce? The pace at which the workforce is changing is phenomenal. Many of the older generations are choosing to stay employed longer, and while that is occurring, more younger associates are hired which creates a generation gap, making communication among teams more complex. Cohesiveness is a must in a work environment and a manager must learn how to effectively deal with each generation in a respectful manner in order to gain productivity among teams. There is a new normal in the workplace in terms of the varied ages of employees, in the past there were at the most three to four separate generations at once, but now with the oldest generation choosing to retire later, more generations are present. This is significant in the different behaviors exhibited by these employees, what may motivate someone to be more productive, or what engages them. This creates a dynamic diversity in an office, and is a great way for employees to learn from each other based on the uniqueness of the backgrounds they come from. We will begin with a description of the traditionalist, the eldest of the employees in the workforce. The traditionalists are now 70 to 90 years old (1925-1945). They are loyal to a single employer...
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...Ambition, Altruism, Affiliation and Anxiety in the workplace: A review of generational differences in work attitudes. Madeleine Fogarty Melbourne University Abstract Popular books and articles claim that there are significant differences between the generations in attitudes to work. However, there are relatively few empirical studies that support this claim. This review examines the reasons for the dearth of empirical work, reports on the US and Australasian findings published in the past decade, and suggests a taxonomy of ambition, altruism, affiliation and anxiety to synthesise the diversity of previous research and reach a coherent conclusion: all are on the rise for Gen Y. Directions for future research and recommendations for organisations are discussed. News articles regularly demand that we pay attention to the different needs of the next generation and their attitudes towards work. Last week the Sydney Morning Herald claimed that “Generation Y . . . has high expectations of their employers, seek out new challenges, are not afraid to question authority, value teamwork, seek the affirmation of others, crave attention and want to be included and involved” (Zavos, 2010). Other stereotypes of Gen Y, including Myers & Sadaghiani (2010), pitch them as self-centred, unmotivated, disrespectful and disloyal. There have been many articles and books in “popular literature” that describe differences between the generations, including Strauss & Howe (1991),...
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... G eneration Y (and Generation Z) Working Together WHAT MATTERS AND HOW THEY LEARN? h ow different are they? fact and fiction Executive Office, Talent Management Team United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund New York Secretariat Headquarters Overcoming Generational Gap in the Workplace Rational for Introducing the Generational Communication Gap into the Workplace Casey Carlson!& Deloitte & Touche Study ! Fundamental Questions! Where does your personal view fall in the following generational change spectrum? Level 5: “The generation of people in the top boxes is the only one that matters…the rest just need to grow up or shut up.” Level 3: “The generational change is an emerging issue within our organization but we haven’t done much about it.” Level 2: “We view generational change as an emerging opportunity.” Level 1: “We’re actively changing the work culture to harness! the power of generational change.” Differences in Opinion and Attitude “This generational stuff is just socially acceptable stereotyping…politically correct rationale offered for immature behavior” “When is someone going to ask me what I need?” “Doesn’t everyone want the same thing anyway?” “Even if this generational stuff were true, this is still planet earth and we know how our business needs to be run for it to be a success” “Can we go back to work now? These kids will either get with the program or they’ll leave just like they always have” “I don’t get it! My managers are...
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...7 3.0 Leadership Styles for Different Generational Groups 9 4.0 Recommendation 11 Conclusion 13 References 14 ABSTRACT Generation Y (born 1981 and 2000) is young worker, Generation X (born 1965-1980) is middle generation and Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964) is older employers. Usually young workers want to make a quick impact, the middle generation needs to believe in the mission, and older employees don’t like ambivalence. It is important organization to take time and build the trusting relationship where each generation brings ahead their potentials and works towards the organization goal. The leaders should recognize the different work characteristics between generational groups and apply leadership styles that will positively contribute to employee motivation. As a result, due to the shifting nature of the job/task itself and the changing nature of subordinate characteristics and behavior. Leadership styles have also had to make changes. Accordingly, a task-oriented leadership style is more acceptable to Baby boomers but Generation X and Generation Y prefer to be managed under a relationship-oriented leadership style. Introduction The workplace has changed dramatically in recent years. Today’s workforce can be divided into three distinct groups of people. There are the Baby boomers (Born 1946 and 1964), Generation X ( born 1965-1980) and Generation Y (Born 1981-2000, Millennial) . In the modern workforce,...
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...The Multi-Generational Workplace Dawn Butler Org 415 - Summary Paper September 17, 2011 Today’s workplace is more diverse than that of any other time in history. With four different generations actively in the workplace, the way people work together is more important than ever, as is the role of today’s manager. Many organizations have a wide range of employees within several different age groups, each with different work ethics and all must be managed in various ways. Today’s problem in the workplace is no longer the effects of downsizing, competition, stress or greed but rather the four generations of people working together and often colliding. (Hammill, 2005) These four generations; the Veterans, the Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y, make up today’s workforce and each bring different values, ideas, communication styles and ways of getting things done to their organization. (Hammill, 2005) This is the first time in American history that we have had a wide range of ages in the workplace. With such an assorted group of people working together, the traditional roles in the workplace have changed. “There were definite rules as to how the boss was treated and how younger workers treated older workers. No longer: Roles today are all over the place and the rules are being rewritten daily.” (Hammill, 2005, p.1) First, it is important to identify the different generations and who make them up. The Veterans were born between 1922-1945. This...
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...Introduction Persons that are born between 1980 and 1994 are classified as generation Y. They are latest members to join a multigenerational workforce, in fact they are the newest and the last members of the workforce. “Generation Y are likely to have high expectations of personal and financial success, feel that hard work pays off, and have a get-it-done result-producing attitude” (Breaux 2003,p52). Managers all over the world have been struggling with the challenge of attracting, managing and retaining Gen Y workers. Gen Y have different values and expectation of the companies they for compared to previous generations. Companies must learn how to manage Generation Y workers and cater to their needs if they want to retain Gen Y works. "Generation Y'ers are like X'ers on steroids. They are the most high-maintenance generation to ever enter the work force" (Breaux 2009,p95). As Gen Y has already started to enter the work force companies cannot afford to ignore the wants and need of Gen Y. Gen Y is just as big in numbers and will keep entering into the workforce at a rapid rate. The companies that don’t figure out how to attract and retain the growing Gen Y workers are likely to find themselves at a distinct disadvantage. After all, Generation Y is the next generation of workers who will ultimately be managing companies and determine if businesses succeed or fail. Article one “Understanding and managing generation differences in the workplace” Database: Emerald Group...
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...Thoughts on new challenges for managers in regards to Age Diversity Age diversity is a reality in today’s workplace, and will only increase in the future. Workplace demographics are shifting, and the number of mature workers will steadily increase in the years to come. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s workforce spans four generation: Traditionalist, Baby Boomer, Generation Xers and Millennial. As mature adults remain employed, we increasingly need to understand the strength and challenges inherent in multigenerational workplace and find ways to leverage age diversity. The reality, according to research, is that generations are different in some ways, but similar in many more. More gap than chasm, generation difference has subtle impact, not the dramatic conflicts portrayed in the popular press. Research by Jennifer Deal, Author of Retiring the Generation gap. Clearly, managing a workforce that spans four generation, represents tremendous challenges to the manager that want to be in tune with social trend, progressive thoughts and political correctness. It involves recognizing the value of difference, combating discrimination and legal action against the organization. Devoe 1999. With perception that older workers are dinosaurs when it comes to innovation and technology but are portrayed as loyal and hardworking. Younger workers are viewed as innovative and technological inclined but disrespectful, lazy and egocentric. Taken this view on the face value, these...
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...ration_Y Different generations, same objectives . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.camagazine.com/generations/default.aspx Generation Y and the WorkForce. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.workforcecyprus.com/news.php?id=29 How is Generation Y Transforming the Workplace? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hoklife.com/2012/08/28/how-is-generation-y-transforming-the-workplace/ konopaske, j. m. (n.d.). human resource management 12th edition. Managing generational differences has become an increasingly growing area. In today’s diverse and ever changing business environment, it is imperative to the areas of recruitment, retention and engagement for organizations to successfully communicate across generational boundaries. With an age gap of nearly 50 years between the oldest and youngest employees in some organizations, there is a broad range of perspectives, needs and attitudes floating around the office. Today’s workplace is most definitely a multi-generational one – and each generation has its own set of expectations, needs, values and working styles. Employers have to acknowledge the generational tensions their employees may be feeling. To get everyone working together, they need to understand the unique strengths and weaknesses of each generation and identify the points of friction among them. (Generation Y and the WorkForce, n.d.) Kevin Katigbak a Consultant in Toronto says “Generation Y isn’t necessarily dictating the pace of change in the office environments as so much...
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...organization; structure integrates the goals and mission of the organization, size, technology, and the environment. The goal, mission, and size of the organization determine the structure of the organization (Sullivan, 2013). The structure of the organization directs leadership roles, communications amongst staffs and clients. In this paper I will discuss my organization’s structure and how it creates an environment of support for client-centered care, the use of information systems, communication methods, and a decision making-ability with culture and organizational structure. I will also discuss the issues of power and control as well as organizational leadership, care delivery system, and how the generational differences influence my organization culture. The Influence of Generational Differences Currently, I am employed at Daughters of Israel Rehabilitation Center and Nursing Home, this facility is a sub-acute and long-term care facility. The framework for this facility organizational structure is functional structure. According to Sullivan (2010), in the functional structure, employees are grouped in the department by specialty with similar tasks being performed by the same group. In a functional structure, all nursing tasks fall under nursing services; the same is true for other functional areas. Our facility has administration, non- nursing or medical personnel’s, and then departments: nursing, rehabilitation, social services, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, etc. All...
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...An article review of Harvey, Bosco and Emanuele, 2010, ‘The Impact of “Green Collar Worker” on Organizations, Management Research Review, vol.33, no. 5, pp 499-511. One of key factors to ensure organizational effectiveness is the people who run it. Therefore, acquiring and employing the workforce has to be planned and managed well since the business environment is facing rapid changes mainly in terms of generation employed, technology and society needs. This article concentrates on how “green collar workers” affect an organization. The authors’ main idea is that practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme with regard to environmental activities has an effect on organization image which may lead to better selection in recruitment. Based on previous research, Harvey, Bosco and Emanuele (2010) conducted a study on the importance of CSR/organization’s environmental activities and its relationship with employee willingness to recommend employer to others. This research aimed to provide further understanding on the influence of “green collar worker” on organization particularly on employee behaviour since previous research have been unclear. The study reveals that Veterans and Boomers are more interested in environmental conservation compared to other generation which is against most findings in research pertaining attitudes toward environmental issues where most of them found that younger people are more into it. This may be due to the authors’ methodology on...
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...Generational Influences on Learning Myra R. Nickles Webster University Generational Influences on Learning Overview/Summary of Article written by Sandra Gibson: E N H A N C I N G: Intergenerational Communication in the Classroom: Recommendations for Successful Teacher-Student Relationships and article written by Lynn Lancaster and David Stillman: From World War I to the World Wide Web: traditionalists, baby boomers, generation Xers and Millennials at work. The article written by Lynn Lancaster and David Stillman: “From World War I to the World Wide Web: traditionalists, baby boomers, generation Xers and millennials at work” is an excerpt from a book written by Lancaster and Stillman entitled , “When Generations Collide: Who They Are. Why They Clash. How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work.” This article discusses four separate distinct generations that make up the modern day workforce. The Traditionalists or individuals born between 1900 and 1945 make up approximately seventy-five million people. The largest population ever born in this country, the Baby Boomers, born between 1946-1964, total approximately eighty million. The smallest numbered group of approximately forty-six million, the Generation Xers, were born between 1965-1980, and the Millennials, born between 1981-1999, make up of approximately seventy-six million. Lancaster and Stillman, (2003). Sandra Gibson in her article, “E N H A N C I N G: Intergenerational Communication in the Classroom: Recommendations...
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