Canadian Summit Keynote: Navigating Generational Diversity
Karl Moore, a scholar who researches the impact of workplace-generational issues, will give a keynote address at TRSA’s Fourth Annual Canadian Production Summit this Oct 4-5.
Moore, an associate professor at the Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, will discuss his new book “Generation Why: How Boomers Can Lead and Learn from Millennials and Gen Z.” Moore will offer insights on the management strategies that senior leaders can use to effectively recruit, motivate, manage and retain a younger workforce.
Currently, four distinct generational cohorts are simultaneously contributing to workforces across North America. People over the age of 45 were taught and shaped with a different worldview than those under 35. The group known as “Gen Z” (born 1997-’12) and younger millennials (born ’81-’96) in most cases hold different attitudes and expectations than baby boomers (born ’46-’64). Therefore, managing these groups effectively requires varying approaches. “In today’s world, young people are looking for purpose beyond just making money,” Moore said in a recent interview with Textile Services Weekly. “They want to have a social impact.”
By extension, Moore added that Gen Y and millennial staff want to contribute their ideas to help plan a company’s future. “Young people want to be part of (developing) the company’s strategy,” he said. “They want to have a voice in the discussion of where the company’s going.” Involving employees of varying ages and levels of experience can improve corporate strategies. For example, frontline staff could have closer contact with clients and fellow employees, and they can offer ideas for developing new approaches. “Emergent strategies come from people on the frontlines,” Moore said. Ultimately, senior management is responsible for decision making, but incorporating different ideas and approaches can help their organization adapt to and succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.
A key approach for managers who are leading staff from multiple generations is a process that Moore refers to as “Reverse Mentorship.” Managers must emphasize not only leading and mentoring, but also listening to and learning from their employees. Simply put, managers should “Listen more, talk less,” said Moore, “(Managers) still need to talk, inspire and uplift, but listening is a bigger part of the job than it was 10 years ago.”
Generational differences can impact a company’s bottom line, either positively or negatively. Moore will argue in his upcoming talk that if leaders can successfully bridge this gap, “(Employees) will be more engaged; you’ll get more done and you’ll have better strategies.”
Click here for more information and to register for the Oct. 4-5 Canadian Production Summit in Toronto. In addition to Moore’s keynote speech, the Summit also will feature two Toronto-area plant tours including Topper Linen Supply and HLS Linen Services, as well as sessions covering global trade, regulatory and legislative updates, facilitated roundtable discussions and an operator sustainability panel.