83: The Benefits of Cross-Generational Dialogue at Work with Phyllis Weiss Haserot

Organizations have up to five generations in the workplace, yet most people tend to congregate with others of the same generation. Even more problematic is the fear that sharing knowledge or making introductions for colleagues will somehow negatively impact one’s own career. As a manager, it’s your job to create an atmosphere of open dialogue where everyone can learn from one another, regardless of age.    Phyllis Weiss Hazero is the foremost workplace expert on cross-generational dialogue at work. Her newest book You Can’t Google it! The Compelling Case for Cross-Generational Conversation at Work explores generational challenges and opportunities. Phyllis is President of Practice Development Counsel, a business development and organizational effectiveness consultancy, as well as a speaker and blogger on intergenerational relations issues. Phyllis and I talk about the importance of building relationships across generational cohorts and how you can help create a culture of dialogue. We discuss various alternatives to traditional measures of age, mutual-mentoring, and how to open a conversation with someone you’d like to teach or learn from.   Read the related blog article: Create a Culture of Cross-Generational Dialogue at Work   Join the Modern Manager community (www.mamieks.com/join) to get two digital downloads on cross-generational dialogue at work -- 10 Tips for Achieving a Culture of Generational Inclusion, Engagement and Belonging and How to Maximize Cross-Generational Working Relations with Conversations Each Generation Wants to Have.   If you work for a nonprofit or government agency, email me at [email protected] for 20% off any membership level.   Register for my course on delegation: Make More Time: Everything a manager needs to know to delegate successfully. Registration closes January 10, 2020. Early bird pricing ends December 31, 2019.    Members of The Modern Manager community get 10% off!   Subscribe to my newsletter to get episodes, articles and free mini-guides delivered to your inbox.    Help me write my new book! I’m researching what makes a manager great to work for. Share your story and experience at www.managerialgreatness.com Help spread the word, too! Share the link with friends and colleagues.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Organizations can have as many as five generations in their workforce. Age no longer provides an accurate depiction of a person. We must stop making assumptions about what people know, are capable of, or are interested in, based on age. In addition to major societal influences, many things help shape us including religion, where we grew up, educational environment