Carmen Ferme, founded New World Leadership, LLC, after serving as a key contributor to many large and midsize corporations including SprintPCS, Sprint/Nextel, Westin Hotels, Chilli's, Burger King, Cooper Aerobics Enterprises, Spectra vision, Continental Airlines, Avis Rent-A-Car, Tupperware Inc, Olan Mills, Time Warner Cable, and many others.
Regardless of the industry or the company, she saw a new pattern emerging which is challenging all companies: As technology has accelerated and life/work expectancy has expanded, moving into the Knowledge and Information Age under the structure of the Industrial Age is not working.
Rapidly becoming the new "diversity" concern in the workplace, although there has always been recognition of "Generation Gaps", four generations working together, often times in relationships that go against the Industrial Age, "top down" theory of management, and it's creating divisions within the workplace that demand a new perspective...a new attitude!
Comments such as "these younger kids today...they have no work ethic", or "those 'old people' are so stuck in their ways, you just can't talk to them",or "well, in MY day "....are signals of resistance and division among generational workforces. We are stuck in our attitudes and it's getting in the way of our altitude!
What Generation are you (RU) ?
Much research has been done to gain an understanding as to what drives each generation. Why? This has a direct impact on each generation's attitudes about job, career, loyalty, and overall outlook on life. Each generation is influenced by the major events of that time and the persons of influence.
Click on each link to see who and what influenced your generation
Being from the "Boomer" generation, and having managed a team (12) - all Gen X'ers, Carmen experienced first hand how generational attitudes she was stuck in created dysfunction between her and her team...and what it took to change that!
It's easy to get "stuck" in an attitude and not even be aware of it! My niece, Cecile, made me so keenly aware of this one day at a kid park. She lives in France and spoke no English at the time. She got into this tube thing and calls to me, "Carmen! Venez le jeu avec moi!".....Come play with me! My immediate thoughts were, "I'm too old for this, I'm too big, I won't fit, this is silly, I'm not a kid, I don't do this kind of stuff" and shook my head no....but she persisted, laughing and giggling to the point I couldn't resist. So I crawled in...ehViola! I fit, I wasn't too old...and I busted out laughing and giggling with her. I was having fun!
Is your organization "stuck" in an attitude that's undermining altitude? and fun? and creativity? and growth?
At New World Leadership, LLC, we specialize in organizational Altitude achievement. We begin by helping individuals understand the generational differences and why they exist. We work with the organization to identify what their current generational attitude is, departmentally as well as overall, and determine where it may be impeding in achieving their overall goals. We then assist in developing a strategy on where and how to begin to alter those attitudes that are getting in the way. Once consciousness is raised, the possibilities are limitless! For more information on how we can help your organization, click here....
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