Clash of generations at work

I spent an enlightening couple of weeks last year researching a cover story for Sleep Savvy, a trade pub aimed at mattress retailers. The story was about negotiating the generation gap at work. It seems that for the first time in history there are 4 distinct generations in the workplace, and things do not always run smoothly.

Live-to-work baby boomers clash with work-to-live Gen X, and both get annoyed at start-at-the-bottom-ME!? Gen Y. Meanwhile, command-and-control matures wonder why coworkers don’t stop bellyaching and and get the job done.

By the time I finished researching, thinking, and writing, I realized how many baby-boomer behaviors I’m guilty of. If you’re wondering what those might be, there’s a great generational chart in the article pdf linked to above.

Then, recently, I stumbled upon [but used del.icio.us] this quiz at career advisor Penelope Trunk’s blog. Take it and figure out your true generational group based on your level of ‘digital media engagement’ — I’m not as old as I think

Tags: generation+gap+at+work Sleep Savvy Penelope+Trunk