Learning & Growth: Connecting all 5 Generations. Side By Side.

Learning & Growth: Connecting all 5 Generations. Side By Side.

As our Employee Engagement Specialist, Jenny Jacobs brings an infectious humor and midwestern sensibility to everything she does. Jenny is a lifelong learner and a natural teacher who guides our clients through a structured employee engagement method that improves bottom lines and results in changes that last. Jenny holds a B.A. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan and is a 2017 Masters candidate for Organizational/Industrial Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. And don’t forget to check out the short video below where Jenny introduces herself and our new program.

By: Jenny Jacobs

I once heard someone say “Do not mistake movement for progress”. In other words, a person could be running in circles or jumping up and down but they are not going anywhere.

Companies often pride themselves on having a lot of “movement” (i.e. snack hour, casual Fridays, group bonding events, etc.). These are great work perks and help boost morale. To make truly effective forward movement, however, it is necessary to dig a little deeper. Just as the world outside of your organization is in constant change, your employees need constant opportunities for learning and growth to help them adapt and thrive.

Learning & Growth are fundamental elements for competitive advantage. They provide:

  • Improvement in long-term performance
  • Boosts in creativity and innovation
  • Increased employee engagement

Learning & Growth opportunities can also lead to improving individual and group efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. A Learning & Growth culture is a true investment in your employees and demonstrates a culture of continuous improvement.

Question: How are you tapping into the organizational intelligence within your company today?

Click here to learn more about our 5 Generations. Side by Side. workshop or training program.

Learning & Growth: Connecting all 5 Generations. Side By Side.

Aligned Goals: Connecting all 5 Generations. Side by Side.

As our Employee Engagement Specialist, Jenny Jacobs brings an infectious humor and midwestern sensibility to everything she does. Jenny is a lifelong learner and a natural teacher who guides our clients through a structured employee engagement method that improves bottom lines and results in changes that last. Jenny holds a B.A. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan and is a 2017 Masters candidate for Organizational/Industrial Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. And don’t forget to check out the short video below where Jenny introduces herself and our new program.

By: Jenny Jacobs

Years ago I was on an archery league. One of the first things I learned was the importance of proper body alignment. Although it was important to have a proper bow, arrows, and sight/scope the most important aspect of hitting the target was proper alignment: the foot facing forward must be parallel to the shooting line, as well as the arms and hips. A person could have all of the best and most expensive equipment but if the alignment is off the bullseye will never be hit. An interesting aspect of this was that many times I felt that my stance was perfect but then someone would come along and point out what I could be doing differently. As soon as I made the tiniest adjustment my shooting would improve exponentially.

So it goes in the business world. Organizations can have all the bells and whistles for their employees (great benefits, employee activities, snack, bring your pet to work, etc.) but if they never teach their employees the proper technique for alignment with goals and growth the rest of that “stuff” is pointless.

Employees want to do well in their jobs. They want to feel a sense of purpose and engagement in the workplace. No one wants to come to work each day and be oblivious to how what they do accomplishes a larger task.

You must empower your team members to fully understand how what they do each day is connected to the goals of the company and how they are an integral part of those goals.

Helping your employees tweak their “stance” is the surest way to adjust alignment to hit the bullseye every time!

Click here to learn more about 5 Generations. Side by Side. and reserve your seat for our June 6 workshop!

 


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Learning & Growth: Connecting all 5 Generations. Side By Side.

Purpose: Connecting All 5 Generations. Side by Side.

As our Employee Engagement Specialist, Jenny Jacobs brings an infectious humor and midwestern sensibility to everything she does. Jenny is a lifelong learner and a natural teacher who guides our clients through a structured employee engagement method that improves bottom lines and results in changes that last. Jenny holds a B.A. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan and is a 2017 Masters candidate for Organizational/Industrial Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. And don’t forget to check out the short video below where Jenny introduces herself and our new program.

By: Jenny Jacobs

In my last blog, I discussed how for the first time in history we have five generations working side by side. This can lead to challenges and divisions, even for the best of leaders. To engage and ignite all five generations, we recommend deploying the Transformative Leadership Model. It’s a model with four distinct quadrants: Purpose, Alignment, Strengths, and Learning & Growth.

Today, I will dive deeper into Quadrant 1: Purpose. I’d like to start by observing some fascinating facts about butterflies and their purpose as published in the Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies.

  • Butterflies lay their eggs only on milkweed because milkweed is poisonous to some animals therefore their eggs remain safe.
  • There are over 28,000 species of butterflies and they all serve a specific purpose that accomplishes the end result of the metamorphosis cycle.
  • Butterflies are not only delightful to see fluttering around but their existence is crucial to the wellbeing of our ecosystem by supplying pollination, reducing air pollution, and enhancing environmental beauty.

The butterfly understands its purpose. It knows what it needs to do, how to do it, and how it contributes to a greater purpose. Purpose is hardwired into its DNA.

Do you know what your company’s purpose is? Do your employees know the role they play in achieving that purpose?

If your employees do not understand that they are part of the bigger picture of your organization, you are missing out on a crucial aspect of employee engagement. According to a 2014 study by Gallup, only about four in ten employees (41%) know what their company stands for and what makes its brand different from its competitors’. This lack of brand awareness is not a marketing problem; it is a mission-driven leadership and management problem.

Since it is counterproductive to design five distinct programs or strategies to manage each generation, the Transformative Leadership Model empowers management teams to encourage a meaningful work experience by leading everyone together. Connecting your employees to your higher purpose will take your organization to the next level.

Question: Do your employees know that they are part of the bigger picture of your organization?

Click here to learn more about 5 Generations. Side by Side. and reserve your seat for our March 28th workshop!

Learning & Growth: Connecting all 5 Generations. Side By Side.

How to Engage 5 Generations. Side by Side.

As our Employee Engagement Specialist, Jenny Jacobs brings an infectious humor and midwestern sensibility to everything she does. Jenny is a lifelong learner and a natural teacher who guides our clients through a structured employee engagement method that improves bottom lines and results in changes that last. Jenny holds a B.A. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan and is a 2017 Masters candidate for Organizational/Industrial Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. And don’t forget to check out the short video below where Jenny introduces herself and our new program.

By: Jenny Jacobs

Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it. – George Orwell

I recently received an email with the subject line: Transform your bedroom into a master retreat. The thought of this prospect filled my heart with delight. However, I soon realized it would only happen if I were the one who did all the work! I then decided to focus my energy elsewhere…

Everyone loves the result of a transformation, but doing the work to bring that transformation about can seem daunting. Where do I begin? How do I do it? What if it fails? It’s enough to make you resign to the status quo, even though you know the status quo is not as good as it could be.

Are you ready to ditch the old, ineffective ways of trying to engage your diverse workforce? Are you prepared to implement new, transformative concepts that inspire and equip your entire team? If so, I’m excited to introduce our new program called 5 Generations. Side by Side.

For the first time in history, five generations are together in the workplace. Why 5? Here are some converging trends:

  • Traditionalists – not ready to retire
  • Baby Boomers –’sandwich’ generation supporting millennials and traditionalists
  • Generation X – rising executives
  • Millennials – the new managers
  • Generation Z – college graduates

Today’s managers may have both a 22 year old and a 75 year old on their teams. When things go wrong, generational differences can soon turn into blame:

“They don’t have the proper work ethic!”

“They don’t understand technology.”

“If they would only pay attention I wouldn’t get so frustrated.”

It’s important to appreciate the differences that each generation brings to (and expects from) work, but just as important not to use these differences to reinforce generational divisions. When we focus on the differences of people – whether in terms of age, race, or gender – there is only division.

The 5 Generations. Side by Side. program focuses on setting aside generational differences and bringing people together. By tapping into the power of the Transformative Leadership Model© this program focuses on what every generation wants in their work environment:

  • Meaningful Work
  • Aligned Goals
  • Strengths-Focused
  • Learning & Growth

Over the next few months I will be unpacking each quadrant of the Transformative Leadership Model©. If you’re ready to ditch the old and make the changes that truly engage every generation, I invite you to join me to learn more about 5 Generations. Side by Side. and the Transformative Leadership Model©.

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