Haydn Shaw wrote the first edition of Sticking Points back in 2013, and in recent days he has been asked repeatedly to update his seminal work on generational differences to include Gen Z, the youngest workers. He agreed, describing his new book as “an updated handbook to all five generations, including fully revised information about Millennials and a guide through the maze of contradictory and occasionally scant Gen Z data.”
Shaw, who has trained nearly 40,000 managers and worked with thousands of businesses on issues related to generational differences, looks at five generations here: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z. He looks at their Ghost Stories, the historical events and shared experiences that shaped each generation, to explain how and why they act in certain ways.
The key part of the book is in-depth discussions of the 12 sticking points that businesses experience and must solve to create healthy workplaces for all generations, with Shaw offering a five-step process (acknowledge, appreciate, flex, leverage, resolve) to work through each. Sticking points include communication, dress code, loyalty, meetings, work ethic, and more. Shaw uses stories throughout, and his writing style is clear and engaging.
Sticking Points is a fascinating look at the five generations in the workforce today, but its messages and advice apply to more than just businesses. Anyone dealing with multiple generations—churches, volunteer committees, even families—can benefit in a big way by understanding the differences and assets of each one. (Tyndale Momentum)
About the Author
Ann Byle is author of Chicken Scratch: Lessons on Living Creatively from a Flock of Hens. She is a freelance writer and author of several other books, magazine articles, and reviews. She lives in Grand Rapids, Mich.