According to Katherine Jeffery, PhD, over 95% of employers have not implemented specific strategies to make sure their workplace is one where every generation feels included and thrives. If we don’t put effort into this, it won’t magically happen. There has never been a time in history where every generation’s perspective is more needed at the table. Source: katherinejeffery.com

Dr. Jeffery, a Vistage 2023 Top Performing Award Speaker, was in Austin for several
workshops on navigating the generational shift in the workplace.

Dr. Jeffery emphasized that the #1 diversity challenge for small to mid-sized businesses
(SMBs) is age, since there are 5 generations in the workforce. She highlighted that a team with
ten years of experience is less than 50% as productive as one with 25 years of experience.
Katherine suggested we should consider generational diversity alongside traditional
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to stay true to our core values.

Actionable take-aways Austin Business Owners gained from these generational insights:

During the workshop, Katherine encouraged SMB leaders to ask, “Why do you do it that way?”
or “Help me understand?” With five generations in the workforce, it’s crucial to know which
generation you are addressing.

Recommendations for leading with more of a multi-generational mindset, include:

• Shifting team development to focus on quarterly reviews instead of annual ones and incorporating “peer checks” for operations and project procedures.
• Advised against sending long emails, suggesting instead weekly team meetings with 15-minute standing sessions: Mondays to plan the week and Fridays to review accomplishments.
• Start with a strong onboarding process. From the first day to the first month, building relationships and setting expectations are vital.

So as leaders, when you are coaching and working with our direct reports and their teams, we should regularly ask, “What’s different this week from last week?” and “What’s the ideal outcome?”

This aligns with findings from a recent Q1 2024 Gallup survey, which revealed that
70% of employee connectivity stems from managers, while 30% comes from the CEO.

Katherine shared that in a typical company of 100 employees, 13 are actively disengaged, 42 are
not engaged, and 45 are engaged.

outcomes when leaders adopt generational thinking

Imagine the impact of having 100 engaged employees or even 80 instead of 50. Do we have the
right people in the right roles, with the mental capacity and willingness to exceed expectations

Investing in managers is key, as surveys indicate this is the top focus and issue for SMBs.
Monthly all-hands recognition and a focus on high-performing behaviors are crucial.

Conducting a team audit to assess care, curiosity, and collaboration helps
map the pathway to becoming the best you can be. Reflecting on where you are now, where you
want to go, and what you need to get there is essential for personal and professional growth.

As always, I’m here to discuss any leadership challenges with Austin business owners. It’s easy to book time with me via the Calendly link below.