Building capacity: Navigating organizational opportunities as if they were a subway system

8th Annual NW Diversity Learning Series (2006)

Session Four: July 13, 2006:
Becoming an Experienced Commuter: Bridging the Generation Gap in Moving up and Around the Organization

Session Summary

By Monica Ercolano and Kyla Meyers

Why are we talking about generational differences in this session? Not only is age a diversity dimension, but everyone has an age, so this conversation affects everyone.

Today's workplace is changing rapidly, due to the increase of younger generations entering the workforce. We now have Veterans, Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y working side by side in organizations. That means that a mixture of attitudes, mindsets, work styles and values have the potential to clash. By understanding the generational differences each group brings to the table, those generational attributes can co-exist and even blend and be more productive!

Goals of the session

The goals of this session were to first clarify the assumptions and perceptions each generational group had about one another, and second to explore how each generation approaches career development and access to organizational opportunities. Lastly we wanted participants to practice bridging these differences by engaging in a variety of activities where perceptions and values about moving up and around the organization are experienced differently.

Assumptions

Too young for a promotion? Too old for a promotion? On the "Mommy track?" As an opening exercise, Steve Hanamura had everyone approach three strangers and write down on cards how old they assumed them to be. After trading cards, participants were able to see how co-workers, managers and employees view them and might make assumptions that are not true or fair.

Background

Steve Hanamura then opened with some background information on what the general values of the four generational groups are. Not everyone necessarily identifies with the generational group they actually belong to so participants were asked to assess their own work styles, attitudes and values to then identify with one group. One indicator of belonging to a generational group is which historical events really shaped one's childhood, views on the world, and work attitude.

After deciding which generational group best fit them, participants divided into their generational groups to discuss how they contribute to the workplace and what they need from other generations so that they feel included in the organization.

• See a summary of the Veterans group
• See a summary of the Boomers group
• See a summary of the Gen Y group
• See a summary of the Gen X group

Conclusion

Although each of the four generational groups is different in many ways, conversation and dialogue can produce a combination of co-existing, effective work styles. Steve Hanamura's "Five Methods for Working Together Effectively" sum up how we should communicate in the workplace:

• Create a positive climate for dialog;
• Converse with each other respectfully;
• Listen with empathy;
• Work together for the common good of the organization;
• Recognize and appreciate different perspectives.

While all four generations are still participating in the workplace, it is important to understand one another's approaches to work. That way no one will be able to gander, "Too young," or "too old," for access to opportunities.

The 2006 NW Diversity Learning Series (now in its 9th year) focused on the theme, Building Capacity: Navigating organizational opportunities as if they were a subway system.

Using the metaphor of a subway system, each of the six-bi-monthly morning seminars explored some of the ways that access to organizational opportunities and career development are hidden and therefore more difficult for women and people of color, as well as people who speak English as a second language, to utilize. The purpose of this Series was for everyone to become more aware of organizational culture and how it impacts building people's capacity, and for everyone, managers and employees, to become better at navigating these cultural obstacles along career paths.

For more information about the NW Diversity Learning Series, please visit the Series section of our website.

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