Motivating the "what's in It for Me?" Workforce: Manage Across the Generational Divide and Increase Profits

At my company and in my department, the tension between managers and their reports seem to be primarily due to generational differences. This book explains so clearly not only what the differences are, but why members of different generations behave differently and have varied expectations in the workplace. As someone from Generation X, I was thrilled to find that this book was written by someone from my generation. Marston has clearly experienced the same types of conflicts in the workplace that I do, and he uses many examples to illustrate the sources of conflict. Not only do I enjoy this book so much that I can't stop talking about it to my friends and co-workers, but I've encouraged my colleagues to make some policy and procedure modifications based on what I've read. I really hope that everyone I work with reads this book because it will help us all to understand each other, and, therefore, work together more productively.

I chose this book as a reading assignment in a management training course precisely because I was having some difficulties motivating my younger employees. By Marston's definitions, I am just barely a Boomer (almost Gen X myself), but by looking at my own values and having some frank discussions with my younger employees, I can tell you that his observations about how generations see the world and the workplace are dead on, at least for our small sample. I made a bullet list of the high points of this text and started treating my employees this way. One couldn't take the heat and left. The other three have responded extremely well. In short, it works! I can't recommend this book highly enough!

Motivating the "What's In It For Me?" Workforce. Manage across the generational divide and increase profits. Cam Marston.2007. ISBN 9780470124147. This is a much needed essential book. The author is a Gen X'er who has made a career from explaining how to get the best from a multi-generational workforce. If you, like me, need to hire and inspire Gen X and Millenia workforces, then you must get this book! It will also help you understand your children! Lessons learned, you do not "suggest" how things should be done, you tell and show, with clear directions. 1. Use clear straightforward language 2. Don't assume anything 3. When an employee gets it right, celebrate! According to some of his research the Millenia generation is on line to be a Hero generation.

Like many of my late baby-boomer peers in senior management, we soon will face a workforce crisis as many of our best employees will be retiring in the next five to ten years. Replacing their experience and wisdom will not be easy and we will need to hire from a younger and smaller pool of workers. Some of the things that motivated my generation, stability, predictability and security are of low priority to many younger workers and we will have to learn new tools of management to motivate and retain these employees. Marston's book not only helps us to understand the perceptional differences in generations, but offers concrete advice as to how to adapt to the needs and wants of a younger workforce. The book has also helped me to better understand my children and the career paths they might take. Useful reading for anyone in management, particularly in high-turnover service businesses, and anyone with children about to enter the workforce.

Marston has a profound understanding of the generational issues in today's workforce. He captures the essence of employee challenges: Communication, then boils it down into simple to understand terms. His framework provides a useful plan for managers to apply to their own strategy in attracting and retaining the right talent. This is a must read book for anyone that wants to get the most from their employees and teams.