Meagan Johnson - Generational Speaker
Solve Your Challenges and Bridge the Gap between Generations at Your Multigenerational Workforce
There are a vast variety of schools of thought when it comes to making the perfect margarita.
I have discovered however the EASIEST way to make a really good margarita. Emphasis on the word EASY and GOOD! The Margarita purists will argue that I am “cheating” with this margarita.
I will agree it is not a gourmet margarita. It is, however, the perfect margarita to make for your small stay at home celebratory group during Cinco De Mayo.
Social distancing, shelter-in-place…
I’m longing for the days when we are back to ‘normal.’
Today is crazy because unless you’re part of the amazing health care field or you’re one of those incredible people that are keeping food on our shelves, or keeping us safe, you probably are working from home.
And if you’re one of those people that are working from home and you’re not used to working from home… your spouse is home, and your kids are home or your partner’s home… It is a new level of crazy stress.
That is why multi-generational leadership and connectivity is so important. It does not matter what generation you belong to, other people are looking at you for leadership. I had someone tell me recently that this is not a new normal, because there’s nothing normal about keeping us away from each other.
She said it is necessary though. It’s the new necessary! I love that phrase – “It’s the new necessary”.
What that means is, it’s not the new forever. There will come a time when we can open our doors and we will be back with our friends, our coworkers, our loved ones again.
But right now, it’s necessary to follow these new rules, but it’s not the new forever.
Recently I was asked by a journalist with the Indy Star, ‘Why different generations react so differently to coronavirus?’
Unfortunately, the majority of us have become intimately familiar with something most of us had never heard of 6 months ago. Many of us are currently using terms like Social Distancing, Shelter in Place and Self Isolation on a daily, if not hourly basis.
It only makes sense that a cataclysmic event such as the coronavirus, like significant Generational Touchstones in the past, would provoke a variety of reactions.
There has been a lot of criticism thrown toward the younger generations, Millennials & Generation Z, about their laissez-faire attitude when it comes to taking the virus seriously. On the flip side of the generational coin, there are segments of older generations who seem to have a sense of pride in ignoring the social guidelines everyone has been asked to follow to stop the spread of the disease.
So, which generation is behaving the worst or best when it comes to the coronavirus?
The answer is all the generations are both winners and losers when it comes to adhering to the new coronavirus social guidelines (CSG).
Often during my presentations, I have discovered different generational segments want to place blame, (or credit) for an experience on another generation’s shoulders. Situations are never so black and white. Generational discord and harmony stem from a variety of factors including, but not limited to; Generational Signposts, Corporate Culture, and Leadership.
The important takeaways in any challenging situation are thoughtfulness of others, confidence in our decisions and inclusion of a diverse group of people upon whom we can lean.
If you currently find yourself at home, and you have binge-watched as much Netflix as you can handle, I would like to offer a complimentary copy of my book, Generations Inc. From Boomers to Linksters- Managing the Friction Between Generations at work. If you already own a copy, what about a Generational T-Shirt? Something you can wear as part of your new work-from-home uniform!
Just send me an email to Meagan@MeaganJohnson.com
If you are thinking about holding a meeting virtually, I can provide training for your team on generational issues at a reasonable cost. The presentation, much like the in-person program includes PowerPoint, program customization and a Generational Decoder Card for all attendees.
Contact my associate, Kathie Pillard at 800-759-4933 to make the arrangements.
An Understanding of Generations Back to School Series was fun to record with the host of the Wise Idea Podcast, Christopher J Harris.
We discussed many things, but mostly topics related to generational differences, dealing with multiple generations and so much more.
Part 1 of An Understanding of Generations – Back to School Series
Part 2 of An Understanding of Generations – Back to School Series
Meagan discussed the Generational Differences and the generations in the workplace. Each generation is shaped by the generational signposts.
So what does that mean in the workplace?
Each generation has different expectations. Expectations in their lives, the workplace, as well as in the relationships.
Meagan discussed baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, as well as Millennials in the workplace.
NOTE: Please excuse the quality of the audio as this interview took place at a corporate office during working hours.