Table Of ContentTHE BUSINESS The Generation Myth U Human Resource Management and
R
EXPERT PRESS IC Organizational Behavior Collection
How to Improve Intergenerational K
DIGITAL LIBRARIES
Relationships in the Workplace
EBOOKS FOR
BUSINESS STUDENTS Michael J. Urick
Curriculum-oriented, born-
Many assumed characteristics of generational groupings
digital books for advanced are actually “myths,” meaning that generational stereo-
business students, written types are not accurate across all members of a generation. The Generation
by academic thought
This book explores the Generation Myth by highlighting
leaders who translate real-
the complexity of the “generation” concept beyond simple
world business experience
age-based groupings and suggests that the overreliance
Myth
into course readings and
of generational stereotypes in workplaces and society can
reference materials for
lead to less than optimal interactions and even confl ict.
students expecting to tackle Several successful strategies are presented throughout to
management and leadership help improve intergenerational relationships. How to Improve
challenges during their
professional careers. Dr. Michael J. Urick is director of the master of science in
management: operational excellence program and an asso- Intergenerational
POLICIES BUILT
ciate professor at the Alex G. McKenna School of Business,
BY LIBRARIANS
Economics, and Government at St. Vincent College. Dr. Urick
• Unlimited simultaneous is certifi ed as a six sigma green belt and SHRM-CP. He is the T Relationships in
usage recipient of multiple teaching awards and was internation- H
• Unrestricted downloading ally recognized by the Institute for Supply Management as E G
and printing a “Person of the Year” in 2015. Urick is an associate editor EN the Workplace
• Perpetual access for a of the Journal of Leadership and Management. His research E
R
one-time fee focuses on issues related to intergenerational phenomena A
T
• No platform or and leveraging popular culture to illustrate organizational IO
maintenance fees behavior theories. In addition to writing dozens of publica- N
• Free MARC records M
tions, he also regularly presents at conferences including
• No license to execute Y
the Academy of Management and Society for Industrial and T
H
The Digital Libraries are a Organizational Psychology. Urick is a regular speaker on age-
comprehensive, cost-eff ective related issues in the workplace and is an active consultant
way to deliver practical on issues related to workplace interactions, organizational Michael J. Urick
treatments of important culture, and ethics. In his blog, Urick blends his interests to
business issues to every suggest practical and actionable items for readers to use.
Urick is currently president of ISM-Pittsburgh, volunteers
student and faculty member.
on the board of several non-profi t organizations, and is a
member of the Society for Human Resource Management
in addition to other professional organizations. Prior to
For further information, a academia, Urick worked in a variety of roles related to audit-
ing, utilities, and training and development. For fun, Urick
free trial, or to order, contact:
enjoys music and leads and performs with Neon Swing
[email protected] X-perience throughout portions of the US.
www.businessexpertpress.com/librarians
Human Resource Management and
Organizational Behavior Collection
ISBN: 978-1-94999-111-6
The Generation Myth
The Generation Myth
How to Improve Intergenerational
Relationships in the Workplace
Michael J. Urick
The Generation Myth: How to Improve Intergenerational Relationships in
the Workplace
Copyright © Business Expert Press, LLC, 2019.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other
except for brief quotations, not to exceed 400 words, without the prior
permission of the publisher.
First published in 2019 by
Business Expert Press, LLC
222 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017
www.businessexpertpress.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-94999-111-6 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-94999-112-3 (e-book)
Business Expert Press Human Resource Management and Organizational
Behavior Collection
Collection ISSN: 1946-5637 (print)
Collection ISSN: 1946-5645 (electronic)
Cover and interior design by Exeter Premedia Services Private Ltd.,
Chennai, India
First edition: 2019
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America.
For Lucy. May you and your “generation” (however you define it) live in,
experience, and help to create a better world for everyone—one without
needless divisions and stereotypes
Abstract
Generational differences have become a popular topic in society and in
the workplace. Yet, many of the often assumed characteristics of particular
generational groupings are actually “myths,” meaning that generational
stereotypes are not accurate across all members of a generation all of the
time. This book explores the Generation Myth by highlighting the com-
plexity of the “generation” concept beyond simple age-based groupings.
Furthermore, a variety of different ways of defining generation (which
could be nuanced for each individual) is presented. A major point of this
book, however, is to suggest that the overreliance of age-based stereotypes
in workplaces and society can lead to less than optimal interactions and
even conflict. This book explores how such intergenerational challenges
occur in workplaces and suggests several effective strategies for improving
intergenerational relationships. The book concludes with suggestions for
considering other types of non-generational diversity as well as examining
whether or not the strategies useful in a work context can be leveraged in
broader society as well.
Keywords
Workplace interactions; generational differences; conflict management;
stereotypes; social identity theory; Millennials; Baby Boomers; Genera-
tion X; diversity; organizational culture
Contents
Foreword by Thomas F. McKee, Jr. ..........................................................xi
Acknowledgments ..................................................................................xv
Introduction ..........................................................................................1
Chapter 1 A History of Uncertainty ...................................................9
Chapter 2 Defining “Generation” .....................................................25
Chapter 3 Misunderstandings, Biases, and Stereotypes .....................51
Chapter 4 Implications for the Workplace and Beyond.....................67
Chapter 5 Changing the Game .........................................................89
Conclusion ........................................................................................105
References ...........................................................................................111
About the Author ................................................................................119
Index .................................................................................................121
