Bridging the Generation Gap: Collaboration vs Collision
Sherri Elliott-Yeary, SPHR, Author - Speaker - Coach
A solid understanding of the views of the various generational cohorts can help a potential employer to best recruit, engage and retain employees. Connecting with the various generations can be a difficult prospect. Generational diversity in the workplace is not going away - and neither are the tensions that exist between the generations. Are you having difficulty understanding why your manager "doesn't get it?" Do you experience frustration when your ideas are dismissed because you "lack experience or are considered "old school?" At a loss as to what your "younger" employees consider acceptable workplace behavior? Do you find yourself "rolling your eyes" or "scratching your head" when trying to communicate with those from other generations in your organization? If issues of ageism and generational values seem to surface more frequently - and you're feeling at a loss about how to communicate and what do about them - then this session is for you!
Welcome to the contemporary workplace populated by Traditionalists (yes they're still around), Baby Boomers, Generation X'ers, and Millennials, four generations whose radically different formative life experiences over the past 50 years have helped shape both their personal and professional values and attitudes. Today's generational differences uniquely challenge work relationships across generational boundaries. Understanding and bridging these boundaries is imperative to being competitive in today's business environment.
In this program, participants explore the high level differences and similarities of the various generational cohorts, events that have helped shape their values and attitudes, and how they engage with the workplace and with each other. "Younger" and "older" participants virtually come together to learn about and share their own and other age cohorts' values, work orientations, and communications practices.
Speaker Bio
Sherri Elliott-Yeary is an author, speaker, consultant and trainer in the area of Human Resources and Talent Management. Sherri is the President of Human Capital Solutions, a division of Imprimis Group. Prior to joining HCS, Sherri was the CEO of Optimance Workforce Strategies.
Sherri's human resource management experience spans over 20 years where she has consulted with companies of all sizes ranging from start-ups to large global organizations. She has experience in all areas of human resource management including: workforce planning, company culture, training, assessments, HRIS implementation, regulatory compliance, strategic alignment, payroll, compensation and benefit programs. Sherri thrives in start-up and turn-around management environments and experienced in mergers, acquisitions and due diligence preparation.
Sherri's expertise has positively impacted companies worldwide like Nissan Ameritus, Bank of America, Chickasaw Nation, JCPenney, Capital One, CVS/Caremark, Brinker International, Gaylord Entertainment, Medical Center of Plano, Tenet Healthcare, etc.
Sherri graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Human Resource Management, and has earned numerous professional certifications, including Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Associate designation in Risk Management (ARM). Sherri is an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified executive coach and is certified in many key assessments and instruments including DiSC and Strengths Finder. Sherri possesses a license in group benefits, workers compensation and is an adjunct faculty member supporting Corporate Education programs at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Sherri's publication of "Ties to Tattoos: Turning Generational Differences Into A Competitive Advantage" is endorsed by The Dallas Mavericks and The Society of Human Resource Management Her book established her as the leading voice in an HR movement on the generational differences. Sherri is commonly known as the Generational Guru because of her expertise in helping employees and employers bridge the generation gap to work more productively and achieve a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Sherri has seen her share of on the job squabbles and learned from experience what works and what doesn't in an era where four distinctly different generations must all work together and get along.
Sherri's second book titled "You Can Have It All, Just Not All At Once" endorsed by Ms. Ebby Halliday is for women everywhere who are striving to have it all. Inside, you'll find the personal stories of lessons learned by the top women executives and entrepreneurs across the country. The contributors have shared stories from their hearts about how they climbed the corporate ladder and balanced family obligations while also overcoming challenging obstacles. You Can Have It All, shares the the intimate secrets of their successes and setbacks on the road to building and living life to the fullest.
Sherri is a member of the International Coach Federation, Texas Diversity Council, American Staffing Association, National Speakers Association (NSA), Women's Foodservice Forum, and WBENC. Sherri has served as an expert on multiple business issues on various radio shows and publications in both Canada and the US.