How to Get Four Generations Working Together - Book Reivew

I’m a Gen-Xer (born between 1965-1981), my supervisor is a Millennial (born after 1981), and my co-workers span three generations (and at the edge of a fourth) at opposite ends.  While I had considered the varying personality types to appreciate our differences, I had not thought much about our differences in terms of age/generation.    It is now common to have multiple generations in the work place (and in the church) working side by side and finding areas where they get stuck in getting along and understanding each other. 

Haydn Shaw’s book Sticking Points: How to Get Four Generations Working Together in the 12 Places They Come Apart breaks it all down and then provides the solutions.  In the first part of the book, he explains why each generation is the way they are from what they have experienced in their lifetime.  In the second part of the book, he shows how we can look for ways to leverage strengths instead of getting stuck in the differences. 

At the end of each chapter in the second part of the book, Shaw provides a bullet-point summary of what each generation thinks and why on topics such as decision-making, dress code, communication, meetings, feedback, training, respect, work ethic, etc.  Browsing through these summary points with co-workers in the break room was entertaining and enlightening! The best part of the book is that it does not knock or elevate any single generation, but shows the good in them all. 

This book is not only enlightening, but also provides solutions. I highly recommend this book for both leaders and for people who work on teams with multiple age groups, whether in the marketplace, volunteering, or even family gatherings.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.