Retiring the Generation Gap ─ How Employees Young And Old Can Find Common Ground

Written in a highly accessible (and often witty) style, this groundbreaking book addresses a number of generational issues. Deal provides a description of each issue, a summary of the relevant research results, a principle that can be applied to resolve (or at least mitigate) the issue, and practical advice for applying the principle in the workplace. Applying these principles will help everyone to work with, work for, attract, manage, retain, and develop leaders of all generations.

Jennifer Deal is a research scientist at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in San Diego, California, where she manages CCL's World Leadership Survey and the Emerging Leaders research project. She holds a B.A. from Haverford College and a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology from The Ohio State University.
The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) is a nonprofit educational institution with international reach whose mission is to advance the understanding, practice, and development of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide. From its campuses in Greensboro, North Carolina; Colorado Springs, Colorado; San Diego, California; Brussels, Belgium; and Singapore, it conducts research, produces publications and assessment tools, and offers a variety of educational programs. The Financial Times has ranked CCL among the world's top 5 providers of executive education. For more information, visit CCL's Web site at www.ccl.org.

‘…an intelligent and practical book, conscious of its academic credentials but written in a relaxed non-academic style.’ (Edge, May 2007)
"Finally, a book that puts our cross-generational stereotypes to rest. Deal brings savvy observations and good data to the task of teaching us how to lead a multigenerational workforce effectively."
—Joan V. Gallos, professor of leadership, Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration, University of Missouri-Kansas City
"Helps leaders of different generations understand each other. Should be required reading for leaders who coach multigenerational teams!"
—Marshall Goldsmith, coauthor of The Leader of the Future 2 and What Got You Here Won't Get You There
"Reading Retiring the Generation Gap helped me understand my coworkers and my children. If you start it you'll be hooked—and helped."
—Ray E. Johnson, director of organizational development—global human resources, SC Johnson
"Using seven years of research that is clear and convincing, Jennifer Deal shows that many commonly held beliefs about generational differences are more myth than fact. Written in an accessible, easy-to-read style, Retiring the Generation Gap offers important insights to all who relate—in work and in life—to those from other generations."
—Russ S. Moxley, author, Leadership and Spirit
"This book takes the topic of generational differences in the workplace head-on. The author uses a solidly empirical, completely practical, and sometimes humorous approach to target—and often shoot holes in—the myths and stereotypes that exist in virtually all organizations. The insights will help any professional create a more collaborative and cohesive workplace. This is a must, not just for HR professionals but for anyone who works in a diverse environment."
—Jeff Harper, head of human resources, Worldwide Studios

Preface.
Introduction Do Not Pass Go Without Reading This Chapter!
Principle 1 All Generations Have Similar Values; They Just Express Them Differently.
Principle 2 Everyone Wants Respect; They Just Don’t Define It the Same Way.
Principle 3 Trust Matters.
Principle 4 People Want Leaders Who Are Credible and Trustworthy.
Principle 5 Organizational Politics Is a Problem—No Matter How Old (or Young) You Are.
Principle 6 No One Really Likes Change.
Principle 7 Loyalty Depends on the Context, Not on the Generation.
Principle 8 It’s as Easy to Retain a Young Person as an Older One—If You Do the Right Things.
Principle 9 Everyone Wants to Learn—More Than Just About Anything Else.
Principle 10 Almost Everyone Wants a Coach.
Conclusion.
Answers to a Few Questions.
Appendix A.
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
Appendix D.
Appendix E.
Appendix F.
References and Suggested Reading.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author.
Index.
About the Center for Creative Leadership.